We're planning 2 nights in Cinque Terre in June with 3 teenage boys. I'm looking on-line for hotels. We're out all day so, price and convenience are important, not frills. Activity suggestions are also appreciated.

In which of the 5 villages would you like to stay?

I've visited the CT 4 times, staying in Vernazza and Monterosso. My favorite hotel is Hotel Villa Steno, owned and run by the Pasini family. It is in the old section of Monterosso which is quite charming. The new section of Monterosso is less so.

A no frills budget hotel with a great location in Vernazza is Albergo Barbara. I stayed there in 2002 for 3 nights and paid approximately 60€ for a double room with the bathroom down the hall. The hotel is right off the main piazza and was surprisingly quiet at night. The room was clean and comfortable.

Thanks Aggie. We have a car so any of the towns would be OK. It's my first time there. I looked up Villa Steno (recommended by Rick Steves) but with 5 of us (need 2 rooms) it's about 400 Euros per night. I'm trying to budget ~$200 per night. We're usually out after breakfast and not back until after dinner so we don't need fancy just convenient.
Do you have the website for Albergo Barbara? What is a "half pension"? Thanks

jalexp3,
Try Edi's rooms http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Liguria.../index.uk.html

Henry

I stayed at Hotel Pasquale which is owned by the same family as the Steno (i think). It was less $$ - right on the water in Monterosso, beautiful views - close to the train track but with windows closed it was not a problem. I think they have a website.

Henry: I checked the website for Edi's rooms. When they say they have "flats" are these small apartments? self-catering-type places that would be appropriate for families? Thank you.

jalexp3

The link for Albergo Bargara mentioned by TexasAggie is http://www.albergobarbara.it/

We were looking at it for our upcoming trip in September.

Marsha,
Yes, they have apartments. The one I stayed in had two beds on the main floor and a sofa bed upstairs in the kitchen/dining area and a large balcony where you could sit four people with table and chairs and see most of the town and the sea.

Thank you, Henry. That arrangement would be great for our family.

I have tried Albergo Barbara multiple times. They are very rude. They don't answer faxes or e-mails.

jalexp, I'm curious. Were they actually rude to you, or do you mean they were rude BECAUSE they never answered your faxes or emails?

After multiple unanswered e-mails I tried calling. The guy who answered (he was not rude, but impatient on the phone) said I had to fax my request. No response to multiple faxes (even though I got fax confirmation. I tried e-mailing again, no luck.

I would try calling again. If there is still no luck, and you're worried that the reservation didn't go through. I would try Pensione Cecio in Corniglia. I've stayed here with my family before and it was great. Only 60 euro a night for a double room.

They also own a restaurant called Ristorante Cecio. This you must eat at at least one time, and order the pesto! My family and I really enjoyed sitting on the terrace and eating together. Also, you must hike to at least one town. It is so beautiful and a great experience to have with the family.

Hope this helps

Thanks ke. Do you have a website or # for Cecio?

Before leaving Vernazza last May, I picked up a card from a hotel there, which looks nice, the Gianni Franzi, Piazza Marconi 1, www.giannifranzi.it.
(We were staying in nearby Santa Margherita Ligure.)
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To answer the half-pension question: This usually means breakfast and one other meal, i.e. lunch or dinner, usually the guest's choice. This works since some will want a larger mid-day meal, and others a larger evening meal.

We stayed at the Porto Rocca in Monterosso, and had a lovely stay, but it is likely out of the price range.

Thank you Maureen. Nice place. I'll give them a try.

Jalexp3, please let us know what you think of that little hotel, the Gianni Franzi, whatever dealings you have with them.

We didn't stay there ourselves, but we did have a drink in their restaurant/bar area at street level, and it looked like a well-kept place.
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Thanks Maureen. I got through to Giannifranz (very nice). I have one question. We are traveling by car. The hotel said there is parking but they recommend leaving the car at the Levanto station and taking the train? Does that make sense?