Costantinopoli 104

COSTANTINOPOLI 104 (yes, that's the address) hides its charms behind a gated courtyard in the heart of old Naples. It's a captivating little 19th century villa just minutes from the hurly-burly where calm and seclusion reign.

Leaving behind the city’s chaotic street life, with its motorini (mopeds), lines of washing and fading classical palazzi, we suddenly stepped into a private courtyard shaded by lofty palms, where the sounds of the city seemed a million miles away.

Costantinopoli 104 feels like a rich friend’s stylish Neapolitan mansion. A huge Liberty style stained glass window in bright jewel colours sets off the facade, with its pretty café-style terrace, while inside everything has been beautifully pulled together by owner Clelia Santoro. Cream sofas stuffed with plump cushions, cool tiled floors and oriental kilims are set off by striking artworks, tall vases of fresh flowers and collections of old prints.

Bold modern artworks

Our room came with a wrought iron bed and marble bathroom stocked with designer bubbly stuff. After a hard day’s sightseeing, a twilight dip in the guitar-shaped pool hit the spot before sipping a glass of the Costantinopoli's home-distilled limoncello. You can munch delicious breakfasts al fresco here on the courtyard terrace. Ours was brought to the sunny terrace outside our room, where we could peep over neighbouring rooftops.

You're close to all the Naples action here. Gorge on the art of Caravaggio, Titian and Michelangelo at the Museo di Capodimonte, head off for the Bay of Naples and its islands, or take a look at Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii.

© Room for Romance