I have only spent a few days in Naples and we were outside the centre near the stadium - part of a flight/hotel package with Alitalia. It was fine but we wished we had been able to go back to our room easily. We don't usually find that a problem but with Naples (and our jet lag) we did. Just a thought! (Our hotel was on President Kennedy near Edenlandia, sort of in the area you mention.) It was okay, seemed safe. If the price is right, go for it! We found transportation ok. You can take a bus but the commuter train was faster. The commuter train finishes early on some days (football/ soccer nights, for example!)

You might consider staying near the top of one of the funiculars. Easy to get right to the historic centre. My Time Out guide suggests the Margherita on via Cimarosa 29 (tel/fax 081 556 70440) Budget near the Certosa di San Martino. Near the funicular. I notice that several conference sites on the web mention it too. Time Out says "very basic and has rather dreary rooms but it's in a very safe part of town...and just a short funicular ride away from the centre of the action. No services to mention". Not ensuite facilities, either.

See this site for other hotels nearby: http://diffiety.ac.ru/conf/curgeo02/location.html

Also recommended: Ruggiero Address: Via G. Martucci 72, Naples 80121, Italy Phone: 081/7612460 Fodor's says: In the same Art Nouveau building as the Pinto Storey (but on the third floor), this bright, cheerful pensione has clean rooms at reasonable prices with convenient access to the Metropolitana, the funicular to Vomero, and the Villa Comunale gardens. 18 rooms, 17 with bath. DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Another list which includes Ruggiero: http://www.footprintguides.com/Naples/Accomodation.php

According to the conference site, Ruggiero has larger 3 and 4 bed rooms as well.

A description of the area that might help identify others: http://www.nsa.naples.navy.mil/panorama/Train2.htm

Naples is a hurly-burly city full of life. We enjoyed the street life and the food! We were warned however by an old lady on her balcony about wandering down her back alley - there were thieves there, she said!

Crossing the street is a horrendous undertaking. At first we tried to cross with old women (with a nun would be even better!). After a few days we were in there with the locals - although we couldn't do the "walk straight out into traffic reading our newspaper" of many of the men!

As for safe locations - well, the area around the train station is supposed to be bad. But we talked to other tourists who said if you were careful, it was fine.

There is a Metro (subway) system too.

Here's a link for more info: http://www.napoli.com/english/

Frances Toronto, Canada