It's been a long time, but one restaurant in SML that we liked enough to have dinner at twice during our visit, is Da Baicin. The ravioli in nut sauce was especially good.

Message: There is a exelent Restaurant in Santa Margherita Ligure Ristorante &lt;&lt;IL Nostromo &gt;&gt; Via Dell'Arco,6 Tel .0185.281390 exelent { local ristorante } this place is on a side street1/2 block from the Med. and it is a place the local people dine at late in the evening so if you go early you will get seated with no problem . It was some of the best food I had in Santa Margherita Ligure <BR>

I think you will be very satisfied with Hotel Jolanda. I stayed there several years ago and loved this place with it's Italianate furniture, marble floors and quirky antique accent pieces! It is close to both the waterfront and the train station. The breakfast buffet is very substantial too! Have a great time. <BR>Ellen

Thank you Diane, Micky and Ellen for your recommendations and comments. I'm relieved to find space in such a well-recommended hotel in the area, and I'm grateful to have been encouraged to expand our horizons beyond CT to include more of the region. <BR> <BR>Thanks again. Love the wisdom of the travellers on this board.

Hi there, we are researching hotels for next May in CT area and were recommended to Hotel Laurin and checked out the webpage for Villa Balbi as it was recommended from initaly.com. We will be taking the train from Lake Como where we will spend a few days first. Which hotel is more accessible to CT and Portofino. Which is nicer or a better value? Do we need to book this early? What is the webpage for Hotel Laurin? Thank you so much. Nancy from Phoenix, AZ

I am confused Nancy--is this for me?

Bob, <BR>I suspect the other "Bob the Navigator" is a troll, as s/he couldn't even spell your last name in your e-address properly. I know we have more than one Nancy, but the one I see post most regularly lives in Vermont. <BR>BC

Probably not a troll. Nancy may be new to the forum and not yet know how to post. It does look like she was asking a question of you, Bob.

Hi, all, I wrote to Bob directly as it was my first time on the message board. I am not a "troll"

I apologize! Welcome, Nancy! <BR>(Bob is a treasure trove of info, as you already know!) <BR>Mea Culpa, <BR>BC

Welcome Nancy <BR> <BR>It's all a little difficult to figure out at first, but the wealth of travel information here in beyond belief and well worth your effort to learn how to use the site. <BR> <BR>Pay close attention to anything Bob the N tells you--his words are gold. <BR> <BR>

Thanks everyone for understanding. I will start all over again. <BR>To: Bob The Navigator <BR>We are researching hotels for next May in CT and were recommended to Hotel Laurin and Villa Balba, both of which you mentioned. What is the webpage for Hotel Laurin? We will be taking the train to Como from Milan ( or can hire a driver). Which hotel is more accessible to CT and Portofino and which is a better value in your opinion. <BR>We really like a nicer hotel as our last experience with 3* hotels in Italy were not so good! Thank You

Hello Nancy, I think I understand your question now. First, SML is a wonderful destination but is not near the CT. It is a a good train or boat ride to access any part of the CT. What is your intent--hiking or just to see it? <BR> <BR>If SML is your choice, then let me suggest 4 star hotels in the area. The Laurin is OK---you can book it thru the Best Western site or at www.venere.it. <BR>At this same site you can look at another good choice--the Continental. I would prefer it to the Laurin. <BR> <BR>The Villa Balbi is special. But, it is in Sestri Levante---a nice town but not the same as SML and not close to Portofino. Another wonderful place is the Cernobio dei Dogi in Camogli. But, it is not convenient if you are not driving. Have I confused you yet? <BR>It is all a compromise--location versus hotel amenities. Which is most important to you? I hope you have a good map. Email me directly if you want.

How would you compare the Continental to Regina Elena? Which is more upscale and most convenient to train for CT and ferry to POrofino?

We just stayed at the Imperial Palce in August and it was great! - Rooms are gorgeous, service great, the restauarant was great; overall a wonderful experience. It is expensive, but it was our honeymoon. One restaurant recommendation is La Stalla. It's in the hills overlooking SML. Outstanding food.