I have arrangements for most of our trip to Italy this fall, but have been unable to find anything that looks good in Caserta. We would prefer a B&B or small apartment type place (there are 3 adults in the group) rather than a big posh hotel. My husband's father came from Caserta and a stop there on our way to Sicily is a MUST. We do have a car, so it doesn't have to be directly in the town and we do need a safe place to park.
You are all so wonderful and experienced so I am sure there is someone out there who can help us.
Thanks.

Caserta is a dump!

HOw about staying in Caserta Vecchia a medieval town 10 km northeast of Caserta? Agriturismo l'Eremo is in the area:
http://www.agriturismoeremo.it/default.htm
And here's a hotel:
http://www.hotelcaserta-antica.it/engindex1.html

Lovisa, thank you for your suggestions. I had already found the Hotel Caserta Vecchia and was a bit turned off by the description of the uncomfortable beds. Have you had experience there?
I emailed the Agriturismo l'Eremo for info concerning availability, price, etc. Actually we would love an agriturismo place.
Thanks again.

While I would not go so far as to lable Caserta "a dump", it is not an elegant town. However, we really wanted to see the amazing castle (which did not let us down) and so we stayed in Caserta at the Hotel Jolly adjacent to the military base.

It was just fine, but it is more of a Italian business/commercial establishment with excellent beds, a good, if sterile dining room, safe parking, room service and black marble bathrooms. It is not the charming relais or B&B you seek, but I think that may not exist in Caserta.

The only thing that Casera POSSIBLY COULD have going for it is the palace. I said possibly because the palace is almost an exact duplicate of Versailles, except that it's dirty, run down and disgusting. It has real great potential, but no one has the sense to clean it up and show its amazing architecture.

I have not stayed at Hotel Caserta Antica. What description of uncomfortable beds? I couldn't find a review of this hotel anywhere. In general, I think beds in Italy are not very comfortable for Americans because the mattresses are thinner, and there's usually no box spring, just a flat spring platform.

However a "B&B or small apartment" doesn't really go with "a safe place to park" in a small city because they don't usually have parking. For a place to have parking and be modest, I think you need to be in the countryside somewhere.

It constantly amazes me to read reviews of places I have been that are so contrary to my experience. For anyone contemplating a trip to Caserta Palace, please be assured that it is not "dirty, run down, and disgusting." It was surprisingly lovely when we were there a few years ago and I remember it as one of my favorite castles/palaces in all of Europe. It is definitely not an exact duplicate of Versailles and is a worthwhile stop. Having visited several dozen castles/palaces throughout Europe, I have some basis for comparison.

Yes, yes-please listen to Gabriele and me-Caserta is an otherwise undistinguished town (but NOT dreadful) with an amazing Italian version of Versailles that hardly ever gets on the itinerary of travelers: it should! I don't want this thread to turn up in some Fodorite's search and have them turned off.

My family did not Caserta Palazzo dirty or disgusting in any way. We were actually taken there by our daughter who was studying art and architecture in Italy and wanted to show off "her" discovery of one of the country's best kept secrets. It is a gem of a place, artistically and as a period-piece and the gardens are well-worth visiting even if you are not into castles.

Clearly Waldo had a bad experience but you, my fellow Fodorite, should judge for yourself...

If you would read my previous post, you will see that I said that the palace is an amazing architecture. It pains me very much, however, to see that the powers that be, keep the palace in such disrepair and in a state of filth. Incidentally, the architect that designed the palace, Vanvitelli, also designed the Palazzo Reale in Naples. The amazing fact of this is that the grand staircase in the Palazzo Reale is carved from one piece of marble. That is quite a feat.

Lovisa, I have just received confirmation of our reservation at Colleverde. It looks great. Thanks for your input.
Waldo, too bad you didn't enjoy Caserta. My husband's father was born there, migrated to the US when he was 17. Robert was there to visit while in the Army and just raves about the palace and the surrounding gardens. And we are looking forward to visiting with some extended family there.
Will let you all know our reactions after we return in November.

Bellini1
I don't want you to think I have anything against Caserta. My wife's family, five sisters and three brothers all live in Naples (my wife was born in the USA, so she's the only American in the family). We go to Naples, and Sardinia every year, and we visit Caserta often. With a town that should have so much going for it, it is a big dissapointment. The palace could be more beautiful than Versailles, the big waterfall at the end of the massive gardens is spectacular, but the place is dirty. If they kept up with it, as the French do with Versailles, it would put Versailles to shame. General Eisenhower used the palace for his headquarters during WWII. You will love Caserta Vecchia. We go there to eat often. There are a few real good restaurants there. The aforementioned agroturismo is also a great place to eat, in the outdoors, under large trees. Have fun. I'll be there for Christmas.