Italian Riviera... Need Help
 

I currently have plans to go to San Remo and stay at the Royal Hotel San Remo for 4 nights in July. However, I have been reading about staying in Portofino, possibly at Hotel Splendido. Does anyone have any recommendations between the two? They both look nice, but we want to stay somewhere with a social life as well.

About us: 2 girls in their late 20s, looking for sun, drinking and some nightlife. We will be traveling through Italy for a week and a half prior to getting to the resort, so relaxing is a must.

I would definitely stay in Portofino over San Remo. The latter, while a nice enough town, pales in comparison to Portofino. And the Royal San Remo is a bit frayed at the edges for a luxury hotel. I didn't notice much nightlife in San Remo, either. In fact, it took us some time just to locate an area where we could find restaurants. It has a huge market on either Saturday or Sunday, but even that was kind of shabby. Go to Portofino.

I think you would find Portofino dead at nite and costly in the daytime. A better option is Santa Margherita--3 miles from Portofino and much more to see and do. The Continental Hotel is an excellent choice.

I wouldn't say Portofino has a night life either! In fact, it is the more tranquil of the two spots you've mentioned. San Remo is known for its casinos, gambling, and is the site for the annual music festival held on the Riviera. It is certainly a more "happening" place than quiet, tranquil Portofino full of shops and restaurants. However, since you indicated relaxing, Portofino would provide that quiet place in the most beautiful of settings.....maybe you can at least take day trips to see some of the other charming towns along the Riviera so you can take in the nightlife in other places!

Have you considered ending up in Positano? It is beautiful and has a happening night life for young adults. Not sure if this will mesh with your travel agenda through Italy.

I would recommend Santa Margherita over anywhere else on the Italian Rivera. My fiancee and I stayed there for 4 nights last June and had the time of our lives. If you like quiet towns, with good food and views, Santa Margherita is the place to go. We stayed at the Hotel Continental and loved it.

We took a side trip to Portofino and hated it. We saw pretty much the whole town in about 45 minutes. It's terribly overpriced and more of a day trip.

Similarly, I'd skip Rapallo. It is just too big and too touristy. Made us long for Santa Margherita...

Another recommendation for Santa Margherita and the Hotel Continental. I don't think you will be disappointed.