OK, where to start. we pulled up to a full on construction site. for a large spa hotel, this place felt completely deserted in a very creepy sort of way. we were rudely greeted by the hotel manager that requested we immediately move our car, even though we did not even get a chance to take our luggage out and the parking lot was about 100 yards from the hotel.

we were led by a frightening bell cap through a damp weird smelling hallway to an elevator reminiscent of a horror film.

our room, to our dismay, was dirty, poorly furnished, with bed linens dating back to Mussolini. that was about the same time period someone last painted or washed the walls.

the shower stall was dingy and looked as if it was never washed.

the moldings around the doors and windows were pulling away from the wall.

i refused to sleep under the covers and used my beach towel that i brought.

my friend burst into tears and honestly, we both felt like we should be running screaming from the place, our arms flailing.

needless to say, our stay lasted all of 2.5 hours. however, if you decide to stay regardless of this review, you should speak to Silvio. he was very sweet and accomodating and understood how wretched his hotel was.

we honestly felt like we were in a horror film where you check in but you never check out. Just like the movie, The Shining, it will suck your soul and the hotel manager will keep it in a little jar with the rest of the lost travellers.

I am giving this hotel 5 stars for two simple reasons - the staff and the value for money. I have travelled the world over, and for 50 Euros it doesn't get better than this.

The hotel is in the middle of nowhere about 15km west of Naples and miles from any ameneties, metro stations etc. It must have been the best conference centre in Italy about 30 years ago, and these days is patronised mostly by visiting NATO personnel.

The restaurant is top - notch; the rooms are clean and spacious. The free internet service, bar area and breakfast area are good. This is a cracking little hotel, if you are prepared to travel.

Evening entertainment is a little limited, with no bars or attractions nearby; however, if you get bored I suppose you could always drive up from the Tangenziale Autostrade past the nearby Hippodrome and scratch you head as to why all the local girls seem to stand around on street corners at 1opm in bikinis? Haven't quite figured that one out yet, but although I didn't stop, they seemed very friendly .....

Just returned from a 2 week trip to Southerm Italy (April '04). Read about The Terme in Fodors and stayed there because it is on the outskirts of town and we didn't want to drive in central Naples. Good advice. The Terme is totally devoid of any charm, which is unusual for Italy. It looks more like a prison than a hotel. The park contains remnants of what must have been a beautiful 19th century Spa and there are still some treatments available in a ramshackle building, but no pool or jacuzzi on the property. The rooms are comfortable enough, but furnished in an ugly modern style and could use refurbishing. Ours overlooked a a trash dump for what appeared to be an addition to the Spa. The city bus stops right in front of the hotel for adventurous travellers, but we opted for taxis which cost from 15-25 euros a trip to and from the center of Naples depending on traffic and time of day. The staff was friendly and helpful and spoke some English. Stay there only if you're renting a car and don't want to dive into central Naples.