has anyone stayed in santa margherita. we wont to explore cinqueterre and the cost and hills around portofino. any good hotels you can recomend

Although we went to Sta. Margherita by boat while we were there and enjoyed it, we've stayed in Camogli about 10 km or so northwest of Sta. Margherita. It's often described as the Poor Man's Portofino. Beautiful painted houses front onto two harbors with an ancient church and a hotel that was once the summer home of the doges of Genoa. It's the Cennobio dei Doge. We've stayed there 3 or 4 times and really enjoyed it. Has lovely pool overlooking the sea and a stairway down to the sea itself. Rooms in the $200 range. Recommend it highly.

There are many good hotels in SML. What is your price range? When are you going?

In 1997 I stayed at Hotel Laurin and liked it. If you stay there be sure to request a harbor view room. We had one with a huge private terrace. Breakfasts there were just okay, not great. We were close to where the boat leaves for Portofino. I recommend you boat over for the view as you arrive into Portofino and bus back for a different perspective. You can also walk between the two towns, but it's a healthy walk.<BR><BR>We took the train to Cinque Terre -- about an hour's ride to the farthest town.<BR><BR>This is a nice town to locate yourself to see the area. Another hotel in Santa Margherita I've seen recommended on this board is Hotel Jolanda.<BR><BR>We were there over a weekend and there was a flea market on Saturday morning in the heart of town; also artists displaying wares.<BR><BR>If you're there over a weekend, be sure to make reservations for dinner, even at inexpensive restaurants. This is a popular resort town for Italians.

Rhiannon, echo all details above posted by Diane re hotel Laurin. We had the marina view terrace room too. Loved boating over to Portofino for a long lazy lunch & window shopping. Also trained to Cinque Terre & hiked from Riomaggoire to Vernazza. Really loved the town of SML very untouristy in May during the week. Restaurant La Cambusa was very good!

We loved S.Margherita. It is a very picturesque town. It is one town I hope to go back to in the near future.<BR>We stayed at the Continental Hotel and enjoyed it. The train is 3 min. away from the hotel and there are trains that go to C.T.

I stayed at the Imperiale and really enjoyed it. It was my exact vision of a grand Riviera hotel. The rooms in front have a commanding view of the town and the sea towards Portofino. They have a pool that's next to the beach. It's walking distance to town. And, they had one of the best breakfast buffets that I have ever seen in a French or Italian hotel.

I have read that the boat to Portofino is close to the Hotel Laurin. Does the boat that heads toward the Cinque Terre leave from that same area? Also, how far from the hotel is the train station. We are 2 adults who will be visiting in May without a car. Would enjoy a water view. How were the rooms at the hotel Laurin in size? I have read that the rooms with a balcony are smaller. Also, anyone familiar with the Park Hotel Suisse? Would like to keep hotel cost less than $150 per night. Thanks!

Hi Nancy! The marina view terrace rooms were the same size as std. double rooms in the US. Perfectly comfortable for 2. The hotel is a few blocks from the train station, so we took a cab. Simple & cheap. Easily walkable without luggage. Don't know about the boat to Cinque Terre, we used the train.

Dayle, (or anyone else who knows the amswer), did you mean you needed a cab to get to the train station from the Hotel Laurin. That must be quite a hike! Can anyone clarify how far Hotel Laurin is from the train station..Just in case, any hotels closer to the train with a water view? Thanks

The hotel Laurin is a few blocks from the train station a couple of which are downhill. When we arrived, we didn't know exactly where it was & we did a small carry on size roller each - so we took a cab. When we took the train to the Cinque Terre, we walked the short distance.<BR><BR>Re the boat to Cinque Terre. We had hoped to return via boat from Vernazza to SML, but found that the boat didn't depart from Vernazza that day. Be sure to check the schedules in advance for the boat, but if you got stuck, you could always return by train.

If my memory serves me correctly, the train station is within walking distance, but there were a lot of stairs. Without luggage we walked it, but when we got ready to leave we walked a short distance (near where the Portofino boat departs) to the bus stop and took the bus to the train.<BR><BR>Dayle,we also ate at La Cambusa. We ate at Da Baicin. It was recommended on another bulletin board, and was so good we ate there twice.

Hey Diane! I loved the atmosphere at La Cambusa. Kind of like a dinner party on someone's terrace. We only ate out one night during our stay in SML. One day we had a huge lunch in Portofino with lots of wine & another night we enjoyed a terrace picnic with tasty goodies from a shopping stroll down the main street of SML. Yum!

I was just ready to book at the Hotel Lauren and I see that they offer a king bed. Is this for real?? They have twins, which in my travels, are usually pushed together to look like a big bed. Not to get personal, but can any of you shed some light on this?? Thanks for all the tips..I'm writing down those restaurant suggestions!!

TTT

Nancy, all the kings I've seen in my trips have been twins pushed together and made up as a king. Sometimes more successfully than others! Sometimes queens are available.