Am going to the Italian Riveiera next July. Any hotel suggestions? Also where should we locate SML or Portofino. I know Portofino is more expensive but which is more enjoyable as a site for a vacation?

Thanks for the help.

After staying in both SML and Portofino, I would suggest SML for several reasons, Yes, there are lodging options in Portofino, starting with the Splendido where you can leave your deed to your home as collateral. But do have a drink on it's scenic terrace...delightful to say the least.
Depending on your budget, there are many choices in SML....we used the clean and comfortable Hotel Laurin facing the yacht harbor, and the boat dock for the 20-minute cruise into Portofino Harbor. There is also a local bus to cart you between Portofino and SML. You can catch frequent trains for the short ride into colorful Camogli, or down south to Rapallo, Sestro and Levanto, and further into the "Levantine rivera"...Cinque Terre is only a half-hour by train to Monterosso......the hiking trail from Portofino is superb..gorgeous views as you leave the piazza and head into the hills toward San Fruttuoso. While in SML, the Tratorria Cesarina is one of the best in the area......enjoy.
Stu

Another vote for SML. We were just there and loved it. Portofino is lovely, but small. We stayed at the Hotel Continental, which was very nice, but the breakfasts were disappointing. We took the ferry to Portofino and the train to the CT and Genoa for day trips. SML is a great home base. Portofino does not have a train station, so you would need to get to SML anyway to do day trips.

I also liked SML. We stayed at the Hotel Fasce, which was very nice, even with the slightly over-effecient British owner. The waterfront in Santa Margherita has many good restaurants, and some of the Portofino visitors come "slumming" over to Santa Margherita for dinner.

If you want to visit Levanto/Cinque Terre, than Santa Margherita is more conveniently located as well.

Beautiful area. Enjoy the local white wine, fresh fish, pasta with pesto, and limoncino. The Ligurian food is very good.

We also enjoyed staying in SML. We stayed at the Hotel Laurin and had a large, comfortable room with a private patio area with lounge chairs and a dining table with umbrella and 4 chairs. We enjoyed sitting out there in the late afternoon nibbling on snacks with drinks and early evening sipping wine before dinner or again late in the evening after dinner. The hotel is in a great location - harbor views and convenient to walking to restaurants, shopping, into the town, and trips to Portofino, etc. We also enjoyed the roof top pool with its lovely views of the area.

Maybe I'll see you there!

Another vote for Hotel Laurin. You can read my trip report and look at photos from our visit there, including our walks around the Cinque Terre and Portofino, at
www.travelswithdiane.homestead.com/italy6.html