Hotel Napoleon, a simple hotel close to Porta Nuova station
Hotel Napoleon is a small hotel on Via XX Settembre in Turin, a short walk from Porta Nuova station and the historic centre. Rooms are basic, often clean but with dated furniture, and the staff are friendly. It suits those who want a central location at a fair price, less so anyone wanting guaranteed comfort or quiet.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hotel Napoleon.
Where Hotel Napoleon is and how to get there
Hotel Napoleon is on Via XX Settembre in Turin, very close to Porta Nuova station and the historic centre. Its strongest point is its location, and almost every guest says so.
From here the centre and the Egyptian Museum are within walking distance, and tram and bus stops are close by. If you arrive by train it's very convenient: guests who have stayed describe it as a few minutes from the station, with no need for a taxi or other transport.
On the downside, the tram runs right through the area, and that affects rest, as we'll see.
What the rooms are like and how the hotel works
Hotel Napoleon is not a traditional hotel with a large lobby: according to several reviews it occupies several floors of a building, particularly the fourth, and that changes the experience. The rooms are basic, with private bathroom, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and TV, according to the listing.
These are the points that come up in reviews:
- Clean, decent rooms, with dated or vintage furniture.
- Some rooms overlook the inner courtyard, which is quieter; others face the street.
- There is no breakfast room: for breakfast you have to go down to the bar.
- One guest appreciates the independence given by having keys to the street door.
- Rooms described by some as small, by others as spacious.
Whether there is a lift or not I can't say, because the reviews don't mention it. If it matters to you, ask before booking.
What guests say about Hotel Napoleon
Hotel Napoleon has a rating of 3 on Google, from 69 reviews, and it's a score that tells the story of a place that divides people. On one side are those who love it, on the other those who felt let down.
- Location. Excellent, practically unanimous. Close to the station and the centre.
- Staff. Friendly, courteous and helpful, even in the most critical reviews.
- Cleanliness. For many the rooms are clean, although the furniture isn't recent.
- Price. Some find it honest and fair, others a little high for what it offers.
One guest loved it so much they called it their second home in Turin. It's the kind of hotel that wins over people who value the location and a friendly owner.
What to know before booking
The criticisms of Hotel Napoleon are specific and repeated, so I'm setting them out before anything else. It depends a lot on the room you're given and on your expectations.
- Smell and upkeep. There are reports of a bad smell on the stairs and, in one harsh review, a room that smelt of age and mould, with dust and worn fabrics.
- Noise. The tram bothers guests with a room facing the street, and one person writes that the walls are so thin you can hear the neighbours' TV.
- Bathroom. Someone reports bathrooms with no window or extractor fan, one with a glass door.
- Power sockets. One guest found very few in the room.
- Extra costs. Breakfast and parking are charged separately, and there is the local tourist tax.
- Category. One review mentions a one-star hotel, and another notes it was listed online with more stars than the sign at the door showed. Check carefully what you're booking.
My advice is to ask for a room overlooking the inner courtyard, which according to a guest who had one is quieter.
Who it suits
I'd see Hotel Napoleon working well for those staying one or two nights, arriving by train and wanting to be central without spending too much. It works for people who are out all day and just want to sleep in the room.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for comfort, a full hotel service or guaranteed quiet. And if you're sensitive to smells or dated rooms, it's better to look elsewhere.
What to see near Hotel Napoleon
With the hotel in the middle of the centre, Turin is within walking distance. The attractions most mentioned in the listing and reviews are these:
- The Egyptian Museum, a few steps away, according to guests.
- Piazza Castello.
- The Mole Antonelliana.
- The historic centre, reachable on foot.
- Restaurants and shops in the area.
A good strategy is to leave your luggage, head out early and return to the hotel only in the evening. That is exactly the way this hotel does best.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
