Does Cinque Terre close down in Oct. like some other sea towns? Also, could anyone recommend a nice hotel for two women. Any of the five towns would be fine.

We were in the Cinque Terre the first week of October last year and found everything to still be open. I think things close down in November.

I can't recommend hotels because there were six of us and we rented two apartments in Manarola.

Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso is fabulous. Look at the reviews on tripadvisor.com and do a search on this forum to see everyone's raves.
I would imagine October will be the "low season" and not as expensive as summer... but we were able to get a beautiful double with sea view and balcony (complete with breakfast table and window boxes full of fragrant flowers!) for 125E per night paying cash and showing the Rick Steve's book.

We were there last October (mid month)and everything was open. The weather was beautiful for the three days we we were there BUT it turned very cold and rainy the night before we left. We also stayed at the Villa Steno and it was great -- I agree with eveything the previous poster said -- highly recommend it.

Vernazzo was the most beautiful. I'd stay there out of any of the 5 villages...