we will be spending 2 full days Genoa in September.i am looking for hotel and sightseeing recommendations we both like to walk and are not to big on churches or museums .our hotel preferences are 3 or 4 star and would like to be near the old town if possible after Genoa we will be traveling Santa Margareta so any sightseeing that way is taken care of

The Bristol Palace is in the historical center and near pretty much everything you'll want to see. Lovely hotel. I've stayed there twice, most recently last March.

https://www.hotelbristolpalace.it/

Genoa has a number of palazzos, stately buildings and churches - we didn’t visit many, mostly just admired them from outside as we walked around aimlessly. www.visitgenoa.it/en/ is a useful resource.
As we had limited time, we focused on the historic centre (around Via Garibaldi) and the port (Porto Antico/Aquarium area – wnjoyed our dinner at Eataly, overseeing the harbour and boats) and took the elevator (Spianata Castelletto) up the hill for some nice rooftop views.
We stayed in the 3* Hotel Cairoli (https://www.hotelcairoligenova.com/) – friendly, family-run and very well located for exploring Genoa on foot, and also a short walk to Piazza Principe station (we arrived and left by train).

I would strongly recommend Holiday Inn Genoa City The prestigious hotel is 20 minutes' walk from Via Garibaldi in Genoa. Offering accommodation in a 7-story building, It is located in a beautiful seafront location, in front of the Passenger Ferry Terminal and close to the departure terminal.

I loved Genoa. Those windy dark alleys can lead you to beautiful squares or sleazy dark places so be a little careful. Don't forget to visit the cemetary...it's fascinating and beautiful.

thank you exactly what i was hoping for

I'd recommend you avoid 4 star or above and certainly any hotel chain. Genoa is a gritty port with a pre- medieval city centre. You need to be in the centre to enjoy it at all.

We stayed at Best Western Metropoli and had a wonderful lunch at Trattoria Maria's. It's cheap but quite authentic.

HaHaHa! I ate at Trattoria Maria's last March based on probably your recommendation! Sorry, but I can't really say I'd recommend it.