Any recommendations on lodging in Cinque? Is it true that the best way is to just go into a bar or should we book ahead? We will be there two nights, mid may on a Sunday and Monday. I understand Rick Steves has really made this place "pop".
I read the church bells drive some people crazy and they can't sleep.
Any hints appreciated.

To save some time, you might want to start out with a quick search of this forum -- there have been lots of good recommendations in recent posts. (I've been recommending booking ahead in Vernazza.) Then you can ask more specific questions.

The CT is the last place you need to book in advance unless there is some room in particular you want. I visited the CT (Monterossa) on Mayday 2003 and as I stepped off the train, I was mobbed by locals trying to rent me a room or apartment. If the place isn't going to fill on Mayday, it isn't ever going to fill.

Re: booking ahead, there may be differences between the villages. While Monterosso has many hotels and rooms, Vernazza has far fewer accommodations. When I was there in May 2004 I did not encounter people at the station or on the street offering rooms, and if I had I wouldn't have wanted to use my short time there to check them out.

Would recommend booking ahead. Late September 2002..really regretted NOT booking ahead; b/c it was a gorgeous afternoon we took the first room we found -- and while charming, the quality of sheets and plumbing could have been a bit nicer. In fact -- it was so uncomfortable and a bit of trouble to try and find something else that we got in the car and went back to the Piedmont...