heharris

Need help deciding between La Terrettas in Manarola or La Mala in Vernazza? Both look nice and it is hard to tell which town we would prefer. We want to be in a town that has some night life and good restaurants but really also enjoy coming back in the evening to our room and enjoying a terrace or balcony and a bottle of wine.

For Venice, this is a return trip for us. We stayed at Metropole and enjoyed it and its location. This time we were thinking of staying at a lesser of a hotel where we could enjoy a room with a balcony and maybe off a smaller canal but we still want to be in a good location. We are looking at jr suite at hotel becher, American with balcony so far. We prefer small and would even look at a B&B. We would love suggestions. Our budget is no more than $300/night.

330east

Re Cinque Terre-Maybe you should look at Porto Roca in Monterosso

kja

La Torretta met my evening needs, which were similar to what you describe. I didn't stay in Vernazza, and so can't compare....

annhig

Hi heharris,

I just got back from Venice and though i was staying in an apartment on a very cheap B&B deal [arranged through the language school I was attending and i'm pretty sure not what you are looking for] I was struck by the hotel which was round the corner from where I was staying:

http://www.palazzosantangelo.com

it's right on the grand canal by the Sant-Angelo vaporetto stop; it was extremely convenient for getting around Venice [Line 1 and Alilagina orange line] and very, very quiet. The rack rates are quite high, but the rates on booking.com don't look bad, depending of course on when you are planning on going.

tarquin

i amAnn, waiting for your language school trip report with bated breath.

tarquin

What I meant to say:

Ann, I am waiting for your language school trip report with bated breath.

annhig

TR started, tarquin. just getting ready to post part 1.

littlejane

Visited Cinque Terre this autumn and thought that both Vernazza and Manarola were lovely, and both seemed to have good restaurants. They are quiet so don't expect TOO much of a buzz at night time unless you are going peak season. I would say go for whichever hotel you prefer the look of, both towns would be good bases. I wasn't such a fan of Monterosso simply because it lacked the hillside aspect although we did have some lovely meals there.

littlejane

In Venice I have had good reviews from friends of Hotel al sole - nothing special but with a nice courtyard and doesn't break the bank. I passed by it a few years ago and really liked the location off a small canal, quiet but central. Would have much preferred it to the place we stayed. It's been a few years since it was recommended to me so worth checking out recent tripadvisor reviews if you are interested.

enzian

We loved La Toretta in Manarola. We had a "classic" room with a large terrace---I think it is room 6. It was so nice to have breakfast there (they bring it to your room) and to sit with a glass of wine in the evening.

It is up some steep stairs so not for the mobility-impaired, however.

We hiked over tomVernazza and found the town very crowded at mid-day. Manarola was quieter.

heharris

Thank you for all of the information. Can you tell me which town has better restaurants and night life (meaning a place to have a class of wine with ambiance, not a night club? I have read about Monterosso and that town does not appeal as much to us. We are not beach people and want to be in a hill town. Also, any recommendations on restaurants in Manarola and Varennza?

Re Venice, is the American hotel in a removed location? We really want to be in the heart of the city -- but not necessarily needing to be in San Marco square.

annhig

heharris - can you post a link to that hotel? [the American in Venice]

there are a couple that could be the one you are talking about.

heharris

Thank you so much.

American Dinesen
http://www.hotelamerican.it/eng/

The other we are looking at is Becher
http://www.hotelbecher.com/

annhig

When are you going to be in Venice, heharris? I ask because the Dinesen is going to be closed for a while and therefore you would be in a "dependence" whatever and wherever that may be. Apart from that the position is good, a little out of the way of the hoards around San Marco but close enough to a vaporetto stop, restaurants and bars to be convenient.

The Becher is much closer to the centre of things which can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your point of view. it's only a minute from the Fenice theatre, and less than 5 mins from Saint Mark's square, so it is likely to be busier than the other location.

heharris

We are going in August and the hotel did not mention any closure. Thank you for that information. While we like to avoid overly touristy areas, we do want to be in the heart of things. Any other suggestions for small boutique like hotels or B&Bs? We really would like to find a place with a balcony too and a great rooftop terrace.

Grandma

Our last two trips to Venice we stayed at the Metropole and loved it. Our first trip we stayed at a place called La Residenza… just around the corner from the Metropole. Charming old palazzo on a quiet campo. No balconies but as I recall the room was $37 a night (well….. it was a while ago….). Was never able to score a room there after that. Lots of people on this forum have recommended LaCalcina… which I gather has a lovely roof.
Another place we stayed in Castello was the Bisanzio… very convenient, but I don't recall any balconies.

annhig

heharris - after a bit of searching I found where it was mentioned that there would be some renovation work at the Dinesen - it is only from November '14 to March '15 so even with an allowance for slippage, you should be ok there in August. I do like the look of it and it's in a very convenient position, without being in the thick of things. And that terrace sounds nice!

littlejane

In Manarola I can highly recommend restaurant dal Billy - as you will be going high season you would need to reserve. Of the 5 or so restaurants we dined in in Manarola this was our clear favourite. It's a trek up interminable flights of stairs but well worth the effort to get there.

Cjar

In Venice we stayed at Ca Maria Adele. It was wonderful, right across from St Marks in Dorsoduro. It had very easy vaporetto access and was one of our favorite stays in Italy. I believe you can get a rate near your budget in the annex. We stayed in room 337 in the hotel proper and it had a window that looked out to the grand canal and great views of Santa Maroa Della Salute. Happy travels.