Rapallo Vs. Santa Margherita
 

My husband and I were originally going to stay in the CT, but we decided to stay a bit further out due to overhwelming responses of people saying the CT is way too crowded! Of these two towns, which would you choose?
We know more about SML than Rapallo, any Rapallo hotels would be great! We'll be there for two nights, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 9th and 10th (yes, of this year, and yes, we know we're behind in booking a place!).
THANKS!
-CO

I recommend Hotel Clelia in Deiva Marina. It is a nice, family run hotel with a great breakfast, walking distance to the train that goes to Cinque Terre towns and SML, (which is lovely). The owners are very accomodating.

Last September, I stayed for 3 nights in Rapallo at Hotel Europa. It is well located with small but comfortable rooms. I paid 130E per night with breakfast.

There is a wonderful restaurant directly behind the hotel when exiting by the side door. The mussels were the best I ever had! The hotel was close to the ferries and five minutes from the rail station.

I took the train from there to Vernazza and was ever so happy I was not stuck in the CT! It was so touristy and I was terribly disappointed.

Rapallo was lovely.

Stayed at Albergo Bandoni in Rapallo a couple of years ago, a block or two frim th RR station. Room viewed the harbor and was very comfortable. (The elevator held two but the luggage had to be carried up by staff.) I felt Rapallo was a little more active. I assume they have a website.

Santa Margherita is one of the best places i've every stayed in - the fish market is so captivating. Rapallo seemed nice too.

I also have stayed in Rapallo at the Hotel Europa. We LOVED it. It was the most non-touristy town out of the 5 or 6 we sampled. We ended up spending more time there than anywhere. I like SML as well, but it is much more commercial and more on the "souvenir" shop side. Rapallo has a medical school and we experienced St. Joseph Day Mass etc. there. Rapallo is more everyday Italy of that region, IMHO.

We just returned from our three week vacation and stayed three nights in Rapallo. We can't rave enough about the Hotel Guilio Cesare. We had a corner room on the third floor with two balconies overlooking the bay on one side and the city on the other. It had marble floors and a large bathroom. There was a rooftop common area, but we felt more comfortable sitting out on our own balconies. Rapallo was, as someone mentioned, more "everyday Italian" than touristy. We took the train to Monterossa, hiked to Vernazza, ate lunch there and trained back to Rapallo. Incidentally, the hotel was very moderately priced and included breakfast.

Oh awesome, more people responded! Thank you guys for your suggestions..I think we've decided on Rapallo...thank you guys for taking the time to respond, we'll definitely be keeping yor advice!!!
-CO