Grand Hotel Vesuvio

It's very funny to say, but this is probably the only hotel in the world where they screen you at the door, like a nightclub. Today, a friend of mine and I went to the hotel for lunch at the restaurant (with a valid reservation). At the entrance to the hotel—and I repeat, the hotel, not the restaurant, so right at the street entrance—some sort of security guard or receptionist (it's unclear) rushed over, physically positioned himself in front of the door to block our entry, and began explaining how a dress code is required to enter a luxury hotel (he actually said that). Between the emotional shock and unpreparedness in the face of a situation that to call unpredictable is an understatement, I only had the clarity to mention that I had a reservation at Ristorante Caruso. The response: "Because the restaurant doesn't know you were wearing shorts." The end. No call to the restaurant to ask if it was still possible to come in (you know... for lunch... on a Sunday... a restaurant that costs around €150 per person and is supposed to be welcoming). That was it. No problem: we went to Briatore's restaurant nearby (Crazy Pizza). But the story itself is hilarious. I already knew this hotel, having stayed there about four years ago (in shorts...). I don't know what happened in the meantime, but I recommend avoiding this establishment if you don't want to make a fool of yourself worthy of a cheap nightclub.

A fantastic location and a lovely terrace.

I stayed in this hotel, in a suite with a private terrace, twenty-eight years ago... I still have wonderful memories!