Cinque Terre 4-5 Star Hotel Recommendations?
 

This is our last "big trip" before baby arrives in November. We're looking to spend 1-3 days in Cinque Terre, we've have recommendations to stay in Vernazza (because it's flater) but we are flexible on that. Our budget is flexible- we're looking for a four or five star place to stay that's a great retreat.

I'm not finding that "just right place" - can poeple recommend? Priorites would be a) service, b) view and c) reasonable proximity to attractions. (And gelato! :-))

Note to self- PREVIEW YOUR POST... my apologies for all the errors! An additional note is that we're travelling in June.

I'm not sure that the Cinque Terre has much in the way of "attractions" --mainly just the trail and the view. To get the best views, you will be doing a fair amount of walking up and down. You might actually find Monterosso more convenient because of the train access. I've only stayed in one albergo there Villa Adriana, and I don't think it would win service kudos though it was full of character and had nice views.

Portovenere would be the sixth town in the CT if there was a sixth.

It's a beautiful town
Love this hotel Grand Hotel Portovenere
http://www.portovenerehotel.it/eng/listino.htm

Thanks! That Grand Hotel Portovenere is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for! Any other similar suggestions!?

There is only one real 4 star in the CT---the Porta Roca in Monterosso. I love the GH Portovenere location but the boats may not run in bad weather from there to the CT.

This is the best place in Vernazza, but the town can be wall to wall backpackers if that is your style.
http://www.lamala.it/en/index.html

I am not sure if there any hotels in the actual towns of the Cinque Terre. They are very small towns with lots of B&B like places.

We stay at La Mala in Vernazza, mentioned above, and it was amazing. It is a B&B but has a great view of the water and a very relaxing location. You do however have to walk stairs to get there. I personally would stay in one of the actual Cinque Terre towns for the evening atmosphere and food, the food in Vernazza was amazing!

If you want a 4-5 star hotel, not B&B, you'll have to stay outside the 5 towns.

There are about a dozen hotels in Monterosso, most are 3 star.

Portovenere is not on the train line.

You might look at the Cenobio Dei Dogi in Camogli or in Portofino (a short jaunt from the train) or Santa Margherita Ligure. Both these latter towns have several 4-star and above hotels. Camogli is about an hour by train from Monterosso, SML slightly less.

Portovenere isn't on the train line but the little bus runs from there to la spazia is about 10 mins, there are boats to the CT, also boats to the bay of poets which has cute towns, if you are into hiking the trails there is a trail from portovenere to riosomething, the last town in the CT, think its an hour+ hike.
We like this town because full of italians on vacation!

We had a great stay at Hotel Porto Roca. It is elevated above Monterosso a little bit so has beautiful views. The restaurant serves some of the best food we've had in Italy.