Traveling to Rome, Florence & Venice in mid-September. Have heard a lot recenlty on Cinque Terre and think I would like to stay 2 nights there. Would anyone suggest which village to stay in??? And a hotel on the water...Leaning toward Vernazza. Prefer easy enough access to dining and other areas of interest. <BR>Or is Portovenere a better location to stay? <BR>Help!! Need to make a descision ASAP!

My husband and I stayed in a lovely room to rent in Vernazza. It was only a stones throw from the waterfront. As all of the towns are very small in Cinque Terre, no matter where you stay you will be close to everything else. <BR> <BR>Our room was a small room with 2 twin beds in the apartment of an old retired couple. They didn't speak any English, but we got by using my limited Italian, a phrasebook, an Italian to English dictionary and a LOT of gestures and guesswork. <BR> <BR>The price of the room was about 40.000 lira (about 20 USD)per person per night. We didn't have reservations. The lady of the house saw us get off of the train with our backpacks and asked if we needed a room to rent. <BR> <BR>The beds are a bit too soft and lumpy but the shower has great water pressure and you can't beat the atmosphere. The man of the house is a painter and will show you his wonderful paintings as the lady of the house feeds you wonderful almond biscotti. It's like visiting your long lost Italian grandparents. (and the price is right). <BR> <BR>

Thank you Tevya...I think I am looking for more of a resortish area overlooking the water...but haven't attempted booking anything yet. Do you have contact info in case I decide to go this route. (the price is definitley right!) <BR>Thank you Amy

We stayed recently in Portovenere at the Royal Sporting Hotel, which was more suited to our needs (50-ish, non-backpackers in need of AC and a modicum of creature comforts) than what we saw within the Cinque Terre itself. It was perfectly accessible by boat to all 5 towns.

If you're looking for more of a resortish place, then Vernazza probably isn't the place for you. There are only a few pensions and the majority of rooms are in private homes. You may want to look at staying in one of the larger towns such as Monterosso. This may help you with your decision: <BR>http://www.ricksteves.com/news/0101/vernazza.htm

Barbara, <BR> <BR>Could you elaborate on the Royal Sporting Hotel? Are the rooms a good size, are the views good, how are the bathrooms, etc. I've read a little about it - but no real details yet. I'm staying there in October... <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Amy, regardless of where you stay the Cinque Terre is wonderful. I stayed at Manarola for 7 nights in June this year and had a wonderful time. The train is easy to catch between the villages. We stayed at La Torretta in a very nice apartment with a great balcony..wonderful views of the sea. Unsure of hotels on the water...just make sure you book. We had so many people knocking on our door looking for accommodation..a lot of back packers slept on the "beach".

We are staying at the Hotel Pasquale in Monterosso. Here is the web link. They also have another hotel there called the Steno.

Cindy, Royal Sporting was a "fine" 4* hotel for the location. The decor was a bit dated, but we were perfectly comfortable there. It was not the most luxurious 4* I've seen (that award would go to Villa Aminta in Stresa, thanks to Bob the Navigator), but the rooms were good size, the bathroom was comfortable, there was a very nice salt water poool, and the AC worked well, which was all we cared about for the two nights we spent there. There was also a tennis court and likely other sporting equipment (hence, the name, I believe). I cannot recall the view from our room, so I'm thinking it was not anything to speak of. It is located at the end of the Portovenere dock area so its not noisy but it was easy to walk into the little heart of town, to the many restaurants along the way, and also to the dock where you'll find the boat to the Cinque Terre. If you are looking for the utmost in luxury, I'm not sure that its the place for you, but frankly, I'm not sure there is anything else that is more of a resort in that area.

HiAmy- <BR>We loved the Porto Roca at Monterosso - our room had wonderful terrace overlooking the sea.You can look it up on cinqueterre.it. <BR>Byrd

Cindy, The Royal Sporting is OK but it is a :15 walk into town. The Grand Hotel Portovenere is the best 4 star in town and about the same price. I will be there on 10 & 11 Oct. this year. <BR> <BR>Amy, Vernazza is OK for back-packers but if you want any comforts go to Monterosso or Portovenere.

I stayed a year ago right on the harbor and square in Venazza with a fabulous view and there were other American couples there. It is called the Albergo Barbara.It cost us I believe $45.00 for three of us.They speak English and are very helpful.You could see the fishermen go out in the morning and the twinkling lights at night. It is 4 flights(broad stairs) up so if you have a disability it is not for you.But then again the apartments are up on the hill and you would have a big climb to get up there every time also.Keep that in mind every time you want to go to eat, shop,train etc.The hill and streets or I should say stairs are very narrow(one person wide)------Anyway It is Euro simple with nice tub down the hall and has a sink in your room.I loved it---- Monterrosso was too touristy for me. I am not the backpacker type I like the Ritz but wouldn't trade it for the total Italian experience and that is what I go for!!Take a swim in the harbor

Shar: <BR> <BR>Thank you for your suggeation. The Albergo Barbara sounds like what we are interested in...Do you have the contact info? I've done searches and cannot locate it on any sites. Thank you. <BR> <BR>Amy

We tried to reserve a room for Sept in May at the Hotel Porto Roca. This place has been personally recommended. Book EARLY. In the summer they require a 3 night minimum. <BR> <BR>I have also heard good things at the Steno in Monterossa. We are at Hotel Pasquale-has anyone stayed there.