Hotel San Giorgio - Naples, Italy 

My partner and I had booked well in advance and pre-paid our room for six nights. When we arrived, we were greeted with the words: "Our servant (sic) will take you across the street to another hotel for tonight. You will be ready to come back at 9 o'clock tomorrow." No explanation, no apology -- nothing. We were then whisked away. All I could say was that I expected a very good room upon our return. When we returned, the young man at reception managed somehow to check us in without looking up from his computer once. Our questions were answered perfunctorily, with no effort at politeness much less friendliness. The room we received was fine, though rather loud. Every time someone in a neighboring room flushed their toilet, we thought Vesuvius was erupting, and locals apparently like to party -- loudly -- just outside the hotel. The hotel is located in an extremely seedy area. While I cannot say for certain that it is unsafe, it definitely felt that way. We found ourselves another hotel. When we checked out, another young man at reception repeated the trick of not looking at the customer while speaking to him. He did, however, point out that we were paid up for another three nights. I told him we were not at all happy with the hotel and were leaving because of it. Tellingly, he didn't ask why...

San Giorgio offers great value, particularly to the single traveller. It's perhaps not in the most galmorous area of the city - but I never felt unsafe in any way. (I am a well built 30 year old male - perhaps that helps, but ultimately most reasonably experienced travellers know how to behave so as not to attract problems etc.) It's really near the stations so great for access to buses, trains and the airport and well sign posted from GAribaldi square. It's also only a 10/15 minute walk from a lot of the main attractions. The staff are friendly and have some/enough command of english to help my limited but willing italian, which they clearly appreciated. Breakfast was plentiful and widely avaialble and my room was really nicely decorated, with a great double bed and both BBC news and CNN. The other guests also appeared happy and I would certainly recommend this as a cheap place to stay, for anyone with reasonable aspirations.