ksfonline

I am going to Cinque Terre in September and have booked Hotel La Spiaggia, but I am concerned about the mixed reviews on trip advisor. So, we have considered staying in one of two B&Bs in the old part of town - Hotel La Poesia or Il Giardino Incantato. Please help me convince my traveling companions that the B&Bs are the way to go.
Although the B&Bs are not on the water they still seem to be quite close in walking distance to the beach and train? Also, advice on staying in old town vs. new town?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Kristen

j_999_9

I answered your other post re 5Terre Hotel. I see no problem with staying in a B&B in Old Town. Of course, much depends on the B&B, but Old Town is a good location (and there's not a great distance between it and New Town). The only disadvantage, I think, is that New Town is closer to the train station.

zeppole

Monterosso is so small, I don't see why it would matter which part of town you stayed in, but B&Bs are almost always the superior choice in Italy. They are less expensive, they are run by friendly families or energetic young couples.

All that said, if you are traveling with people who are resisting your ideas, it's sometimes better to let them have their way rather than have them blame you once you get there and they are not happy with your choices for them. If you can live with their choices, and you've shown them the bad reviews, I'd let them pick.

Believe me, Monterosso isn't big enough to fight about it. It's so tiny every place is a great location, and every place has its problems.

tbianco

We went to Monterosso in late October 2012 and stayed at Hotel Villa Steno. Our room had a patio with a table and chairs that overlooked the Sea with an olive, lemon and lime tree. It was magical! It is way up on a hill by the lemon tree grove and it is a steep walk up the drive. We liked the exercise after taking the train ride from Rome.

I agree with zeppole that the town is so small it really doesn't matter where you stay. I suppose it depends on the age and agility of your travel companions.

I would go back in a heart beat to Villa Steno!

http://www.villasteno.com/

TexasAggie

All of the CT towns are small, and although Monterosso is the largest, it is still very walkable. That said, I think the Old Town is much more charming than the newer part of town. I heartily second the rec for Hotel Villa Steno. Lovely people, good and reasonable accommodations, and not too far a walk from the beach (though no hotel would be very far from the beach given the size of the town).

LouisaH

Another vote for Villa Steno. As described by tbianco, I also had a room with a patio and views which were amazing.

jamikins

This is a super old thread...