Hi,

Our Genoa hotel is the last piece to our puzzle. We arrive from Camogli and would need a hotel for two nights (July 23-24) before heading home on an 11:05am flight to Rome.

I was thinking of a nice, centrally-located place in the old town? Budget range is 250-300 Euro per night. Nothing has jumped out at me in my research.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated!

mike

mikewalsh,

Did you know that Camogli is only 12 miles from Genoa? You should have plenty of time to make a late morning flight out of Genoa to Rome. Are you sure that you want to change hotels?

Hi Weadles,

Yes, I know Camogli is close. We will stay at hotels in Nice, Monterosso, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, and we hope, Genova. 8 days are allocated to those middle three towns.

The large(r) cities of Nice and Genova should offer somewhat different things to do/see than the smaller towns mentioned.

There's something nice about being able to stroll from your hotel balcony to a restaurant in the city, and stumble back.

I must say, I am surprised at the lack of dialog about Genova hotels. Maybe I'll research restaurants there and save the hotel choice for later.

I could be wrong, but I think most people headed to that area stay in Camogli, Rapallo, or Santa Margherita. That could be way there's a dearth of info on Genoa hotels. I'll probably get some heat for saying this, but I don't think you'll find it nearly as interesting as Nice, or the towns I mentioned above.

I always stay in the Cinque Terre when flying out of either Genoa or Milano. Sure, it's an early train departure (6:40 am), but it gets me there in time to catch my flight. IMO, it sounds like you are duplicating a lot of hotels in very similar towns (Monterosso, Camogli, SML).

Genoa is nice, I was just there 4 months ago. For 250-300 euros/night, you should be able to get a luxury hotel easily. Via Balbi and the renovated areas down by the Port and Aquarium have some spectacular views.

Here are a few 4-star properties (with descriptive blurbs) in Genoa that might interest you:

Hotel Astor
Nervi - Boccadasse - Situated in that part of the city where the eastern Riviera starts. It is an ideal location for sightseeings in town and excursions to Camogli, Portofino, Santa Margherita, Cinque Terre. Surrounded by private garden, between the botanical parks and the famous Nervi sea promenade.

Hotel Bristol Palace
Historical Center - Elegant late XIX palace, beautifully refurbished yet retaining its original style. Its striking elliptical staircase is unique. In the heart of the shopping and business district, just a few steps from opera house, Palazzo Ducale and Genoa's famous Aquarium (I saw this property - very nice).

Hotel Britannia
Historical Center - Overlooking via Balbi, in the very centre of the city, a cosy spot, a meeting with good taste, a reference point for guests wanting all Genoa within reach. With ten suites and 100 rooms, of which thirty supplied with top-floor, Britannia joins hospitality with the personality of the rooms.

Locanda di Palazzo Cicala
Historical Center - The Cicala Palace Inn has the atmosphere of a typical Hotel de Charme. It occupies the first floor of the just restored Cicala Palace, a fine example of the seventeenth century architecture; the side of the building facing Cathedral square, holds traces of a medieval loggia.

Hotel City
Historical Center - An oasis of peace in the centre of the city, near Teatro dell'Opera, Palazzo Ducale and P.zza De Ferrari. Soundproof and acclimatised rooms equipped with elegant furniture. Classy suites with wonderful view of the historical center.

Columbus Sea Hotel
Sestri Ponente - San Pier d'Arenar - Columbus Sea Hotel has been completely renovated, is located in a convenient position in proximity of the centre of Genoa, walking distance to the new Ferry Terminal. This modern and comfortable hotel is well known for its friendly, efficient service.

Jolly Hotel Marina
Sestri Ponente - San Pier d'Arena - The Jolly Hotel Marina, opened in October 2000, is centrally located, nearby the Porto Antico, one of the world's biggest historical harbours. The Hotel has been built by the Ponte Calvi Pier: all rooms overlook the harbour, featuring a lovely view of the sea.

Jolly Hotel Plaza
Historical Center - Descending to the sea from here, the modern, dynamic city gradually gives way to the sumptuous appeal of the Renaissance palaces on Via Garibaldi, then to the twisting alleys where you can breathe in the heady, colourful and mysterious atmosphere of the ancient port.

Hotel Moderno Verdi
Historical Center - The Golden Tulip Hotel Moderno Verdi is situated on a quiet location in the city's commercial centre. The hotel was built as a fine example of Italian Liberty Architecture. It is situated close to Brignole Train station, the Airport terminal, the International Fair, the congress centre, stadium, etc.

Romantik Hotel Villa Pagoda
Nervi - Boccadasse - Welcome to Villa Pagoda, ancient house of 1800 which receives you in the hope of giving you joyful and unforgettable moments. Discover the enchanting sea promenade of Nervi and the emotions of the food specialities of the on-site Restaurant 'Il Roseto'.

Starhotel President
Historical Center - In the Corte Lambruschini Business District opposite the Brignole train station, stands the Starhotel President due to its unique architecture and overlooks the gardens of piazza Verdi, an oasis which can be viewed from the guest rooms. The hotel has 191 rooms.

Several friends of mine have stayed at the Jolly Hotels and like them very much. That might be an option for you. Personally, I tend to not stay in
chain-type properties, preferring a more unique hotel that is family-owned or even a B&B.

Note, there is an airport shuttle service that goes between the Genoa airport and the city's 2 train stations (Brignole and Principe), so you can easily access that transport option should you choose to stay in a hotel in the city centre.

Thanks Weadles and Huitres,

I think you've confirmed what I suspected for a while--that I may be saturating certain towns (Monte, Camog, SML) which offer the same kinds of things. (And, this will be the first trip we don't have a rental car, given the advice I've read here, to be able to take off somewhere else if we feel we've 'been there, done that')...

A rental car is not necessary, you can travel up and down the coast very conveniently and easily via train. In fact, a car is almost unneccesary because of limited parking, gas prices, etc in those towns.

There are a couple options here: you could make one of those Riviera di Levante towns your base (perhaps the CT or SML) then take day trips to Camogli, Monterosso, etc. You don't want to duplicate the experience because those smaller towns (mentioned above) are very, very similar in feel.

I like your suggestion to visit the larger cities of Nice and Genoa. Perhaps base yourselves in both and visit surrounding areas from those locales.

In Nice, you can easily take the train to Cannes, Monaco, and even a bus from the Place Massena up the mountainside to 'La Turbie.' La Turbie is located high above the Cote D'Azur and has the famous, huge "trophy" (~100 feet high), built by Julius Caesar's armies to commemorate his victory over the Gauls and the surrounding Ligurian tribes, etc. Very impressive and magnificent and certainly affords a different view of the French Riviera and Italian border from high atop that town. (It is about a 40 minute bus ride up the hill from Nice).

In Genoa, you could take the train to Camogli one day, then another day to SML/Portofino, then another day venture down to the Cinque Terre/Portovenere, etc.

Alternatively, from the CT area, you can also take a train inland to Lucca (if that is some place you haven't seen yet).

Some very good thoughts Huitres, thanks.

After exploring Nice, we've planned a day trip to Eze village. We have already visited Cannes, Monte Carlo, Monaca, St Paul de Vance, etc, but I like your idea of La Turbie.

As for trips near Genoa, we've also been to Lucca and other Tuscan towns.

At least it will be easy to jump around the area, via the trains, and even boats according to stuff I've read.

Let's hope the Euro is't up to $2.00 to the U.S. dollar come July!

Mike

Hi Mike: La Turbie is a wonderful, charming little town. Aside from the famous monument that gives it its name, Dante was there, and Napoleon came through there as well. It is a quaint French little village up there, hard to believe it is merely a stone's throw up the mountain from the glitzy French Riviera.

A vote in support of Genova. It's a fascinating city, particularly the old town and I have yet to experience any of the "safety problems" sometimes referred to in the guide books. Take the funicular ride to Righi, it's worth the inexpensive fare. There are a myriad of fine restaurants and no doubt your hotel will happily recommend some.
Regarding hotels I use the Agnello d'Oro which is in easy walking distance of Stazione Principe. They have a web site and I have always booked direct. It's not 5 star but it is clean, comfortable and offers an excellent breakfast plus the staff are very pleasant.

Genoa is a dump...and NOT safe down by the marina. We stayed here one night by the train station (Principe) in a 5 star hotel. Hotel Brittanica. They told us not to be out after dark, it was dangerous.
We also ran into some people of our same religion and made friends with them, and they too warned us that it was very unsafe after dark.
I would do as the others say and stay somewhere else.