San Francesco Al Monte Hotel

As other reviewers have noted, San Franceso al Monte has a pleasant rooftop garden with a panoramic view of Naples and Vesuvius, a nice place to have a drink in the evening. The rooms are certainly adequate, and most of the staff was polite and helpful. However, when we discovered that the air conditioning in our room didn't work, we encountered a "concierge" who was brusque and dismissive, whose attitude seemed to be "go away and don't bother me." She and her colleagues insisted that, because the thermostat in the room was set for 19 degrees, that the actual temperature must be 19. It was a strange and disconcerting experience to have hotel employees standing in a hot room telling us with a straight face that the room was cool! Only when we told the concierge that we would have to move to another hotel did she agree to change our room. There, the air conditioning did work, but just barely. So if you're going to Naples in the summer, choose a different hotel.

Stayed here with the boyfriend in April '06. Probably the best time to go to Naples as the weather is sunny and warm but not too hot. Having been previously in August, it gets VERY hot. This hotel is fantastic. A converted monastery on a hillside slightly outside the city. Our room - one of the basic ones - was smallish but very comfortable and clean with a nice bathroom - only a shower but we didn't mind that. The free minibar is a fantastic idea. The views from the room, indeed the whole hotel were fantastic, covering the whole of the city and the Bay. Some rooms have large balconies but ours didn't. Just outside our window were the monastary bells which rang loudly and frequently during the day (not at night) We found this funny but not everyone might. The hotel still has the feel of an old monastery with, plenty of it's original architecture and decor in place and lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore. The roof top garden is what really made this place special. Accessed by a glass lift, it had the most amazing panoramic views and was beautifully laid out with gardens and patios. The roof bar/ cafe was closed as it was slightly out of season but the small swimming pool cut into the cliff face was open. Freezing cold in April but well worth a dip. The restaurant was quite formal (not really our cup of tea) with an interesting menu and a vast wine list. We though the food was slightly overpriced and not that great but it was possibly just too high brow for our tastes! The hotel is about 15 minutes walk from the centre of town. Easy getting in because it's down hill but the climb back is pretty steep and might be a problem for some people. Overall I'd highly recommend this hotel, and indeed the city of Naples. Chaotic and busy but fascinating and well worth a proper visit either in it's own right or as a gateway to the rest of the Amalfi Coast.

We stayed for two nights with two small kids, and had a spacious and very pleasant suite in this old monestary. The service was way top notch, and the concierge was extremely helpfull in recovering our lost baggage from Alitalia. The roof terrace and pool is to die for, as the view from the 4th floor breakfast restaurant. This place is a calm and soothing sanctuary i Naples, and still it's only 5 min. walk and one funiculare stop from Via Toledo. Perfect.

We have just returned from a holiday in Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Our last couple of days was spent in this lovely 4-star hotel. The major "positives" about the hotel are: 1. An absolutely spectacular roof terrace and swimming pool. Naples is a chaotic, hot and exhausting city. It was absolute heaven to be able to retire in the afternoon to the pool and enjoy pool-side service and fabulous views over the whole city. A real "plus" for any summer stay in Naples. And not many Naples hotels even have swimming pools! 2. Really good service. Guido and his team went to a lot of trouble to organise things for us. Tip: When staying in Naples get the hotel to ring taxis for you. They seem to be a lot less inclined to rip you off if the hotel knows who they are! The rooms and bathrooms were pretty nice. Pretty much in keeping with the 4-star profile. The slight draw back is that the hotel is not in a particularly marvellous neighbourhood. Its not dangerous, its just that in order to go shopping, see the sights or find nice restaurants you will definitely have to get the Cable Car or a taxi. Not a major issue as far as I'm concerned.

We have just returned from a four day stay at this hotel and have to report that the hotel was wonderful, even better than I expected. I booked this hotel because of the reviews on this site and am really pleased I did so. Our room with its own roof terrace had a panoramic view over Naples and the bay. Hotel food very good and the staff were very helpful and courteous. Very quiet at night, unlike Naples in the daytime. Do go for a walk in the narrow streets below the hotel, it is like stepping back in time. Go out of the hotel, cross the road and turn right and a little way down you find the steps. Never drive in Naples! The taxi ride to the airport (very reasonable and booked by the hotel) was an experience.

My girlfriend and I stayed in this hotel for four nights 18-22 January 2006. I sent an email in advance and asked for a nice room since it was my girlfriend's 30th birthday, and we got a really nice room, 41. The room had a free minibar (beer, water, soft-drinks), shower jacuzzi, bidet, TV, and a terrace with views over Naples, the Bay and Mount Vesuvius. And - the terrace was larger than the room itself, with chairs and a table and everything. Very nice to sit there in the evening. Even though there is a bit of traffic past the hotel, the sound insulation in the room is very good so you can't hear it at all. The hotel is a converted monastery, and walking around the hotel is like walking through a museum. The rooftop terrace with the pool looked really nice, but the temperature in January (12 degrees) was not quite warm enough to jump in... The breakfast buffet was good (and included), but the dinner was even better. We only ate in the restaurant once (a little bit expensive), but the food was really, really good - bordering to Michelin star quality. It was probably the best meal we had in Naples. The location of the hotel is good, and it is very easy to get down to the centre (Via Toledo) and up to Vomero using the Funiculare Centrale. The Funicular is maybe 400 meters away from the hotel, along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. There is always traffic on this road, and we felt safe walking to and from day and night. Everyone says that Naples is a dangerous city, but we didn't feel uncomfortable during our stay. I am not sure they need driver's licences in Naples, though, because everyone (cars and Vespas) drive like mad, so be careful when you walk, even if it is in a pedestrianized area. They also park their cars wherever they can find space, many times on sidewalks, so be prepared to venture out in the roads to get past them. Overall we had a very nice stay in the hotel and in Naples. Loads of nice, small pizzerias and restaurants around. Next time we would go back in the spring/autumn when the temperature is bit higher. If you go, consider taking a daytrip to Pompeii and the top of Mount Vesuvius. Well worth it!

My husband and I stayed at the Hotel San Francesco al Monte for 3 nights in Sept. This hotel is stunning. The views are jawdropping over the Bay of Napoli and Monte Vesuvio. The hotel has a fabulous rooftop restaurant with the same lovely views, and the food was so wonderful that we ate there every night. Up another level, there are rooftop gardens, seating areas and a beautiful pool. This hotel is far enough away that it's very quiet and out of the swarm of traffic in central Napoli, but close enough that it's a short walk and easy venicular ride down to the center of Napoli and all the sites. The Hotel San Francesco al Monte made our stay in Napoli particularly memorable and we highly recommend it.

We stayed for one night in the hotel at the end of our honeymoon. Apart from getting there in my rental car (beware of the Naples traffic), it was a fanastic stay. Very friendly staff, nice touch that the contents of minibar were for FREE. They really kept the atmosphere of the convent, some of the rooms are stunning, going round the place is like visiting a museum. Then of course the roof terrace which offers splendid views and a great looking pool. The breakfast was better than expected (see other review) with a wide range on offer, just the coffee was not tasting Italian at all!!! I will be coming back here!

My wife and I stayed at San Francesco on our way from Rome to the Amalfi Coast for 1 night and it was perfect! We decided not even to venture into "the Detroit of Italy", Naples...Instead choosing to relax by the rooftop Pool, have a light afternoon Salad and then check into the room. An old converted Monastery means the rooms are quite spacious...a little old, not a spotless shower and not the best of airconditioning but despite all that, would return in a heartbeat. We had a spectacular dinner on the terrace overlooking the bay and returned for the morning breakfast which was excellent...probably the BEST pears I've ever eaten. Great for photos and overall, very happy with the experience!

Stayed in this hotel for one night. On the face of it this is a charming hotel that wreaks character and has fine views of the city and coastline. The service was good and the room (simple) but had a fine balcony/terrace. HOWEVER; to have a premium room situated next to the elevator is madness, and then to have little in the way of effective aircon when the outside temparature is over 90 degrees is just a joke. On arrival the room wasn't ready (which is fine) and we were sent to the pool bar/terrace where we were told we could get some lunch. The bar was unstaffed and there was certainly no sign of culinary activity! Couple these irritations with a mediiocre breakfast the next morning and the dreadful neighbourhood location of the hotel (the paths really are paved with dog mess) prevents this from being the fine hotel it could be.