Who we are

CARUSO PLACE is the realization of a lifelong dream cherished by Manuela, a tour guide and hospitality manager: to create a place where her passion for welcoming guests could meet the melodies of Neapolitan songs—those same tunes her father, a collector of antiques and vinyl records, used to play for her as a child on a gramophone.

The dream took shape thanks to Adolfo, a leading tour operator in Italy’s cruise tourism industry, who brought the vision to life. And so, CARUSO PLACE Boutique Rooms & Suites was born.

BERIO PALACE (Luigi Vanvitelli 1700-1773)

Berio Palace is an elegant historic building located in the heart of Naples, at 256 Via Toledo. It takes its name from Marquis Francesco Berio di Salsa, an opera librettist and poet.

The palace was originally built in the 16th century, designed by Giulio Romano—protégé of Raphael—on commission from Simone Vaaz, a Portuguese-born financier and president of the Royal Chamber of Sommaria. It was later rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century by Carlo Vanvitelli, based on drawings by his father, Luigi Vanvitelli. The courtyard features a fountain adorned with a stag’s head.

In the past, the palace housed a circular ballroom that could accommodate about 1,000 guests and a 1,600-seat theater—on whose foundations, it is believed, the Teatro Augusteo was later built by Pier Luigi Nervi.

In 1772, the Duke Perrelli of Monasterace sold the building to Giovan Domenico Berio di Salsa, a nobleman from Genoa. During this time, between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the palace became renowned for its vast library—one of the most important in Naples—and its rich art collection, including Canova’s Adonis and Venus.

After the death of Marquis Giovan Domenico Berio in 1820, the building was divided among heirs, as he had only daughters who married into noble families such as the Dukes of Ascoli, the Counts Statella, the Marquises Imperiali, and the Dukes of San Cesareo.

In 1922, part of the palace was demolished to make way for Piazzetta Augusteo and the construction of the Centrale Funicular.

Overview

CARUSO PLACE Boutique Rooms & Suites welcomes guests into several charming accommodations located between the historic Palazzo Berio and the majestic Galleria Umberto I. We’re right in the heart of Naples, just steps from the Royal Palace, Piazza del Plebiscito, and Teatro San Carlo—on the iconic Via Toledo, the city’s main shopping street.

The owners, professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry, have carefully designed rooms and suites to meet the needs of today’s travelers. Each space blends comfort, design, and a love for Neapolitan culture, striking the perfect balance between classic elegance and modern flair.

The entire project was inspired by the history of Neapolitan music. The name CARUSO PLACE is a tribute to the great tenor Enrico Caruso, born in Naples and celebrated worldwide.