We're going to be in the Cinque Terre area for about 4-5 days. Any recommendations on places to stay in and around that area?
Can probably afford upto 120Euro per night.
Will have access to a car.. if necessary?

Thanks.

We stayed in Manarola at Casa Capellini which had a great view but was pretty basic. I wouldn't bother with a car, you can't drive into any of the villages and parking is minimal and probably costly. The trains don't run that often, we waited over an hour once, but the time between each CT village is about 2 mins. Also you will no doubt do some walking between the villages along the coastal path, the views are great. Our favourite walk was from Corniglia to Vernazza.
A really good site I found when researching our trip is:
http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/avong/cinque_terre/
Lots of info on accommodation and readers recommendations (including ours).
Kay

We stayed in Camogli which is about an hour by train north of the Cinque Terre but it is a great little town itself, actually like it more than the CT itself. If you have a car it's great because there is free parking near the train station (plus also some lots, but we found parking near the station ok). While you can't drive (or not advised anyway) into the CT towns themselves, there are lots of other towns along the coast so if you are there for 4-5 days you might want to visit some other towns as well. The train to the CT lets you get on an off in each of the towns in case you don't want to hike between them - which is good if it is or was raining as the trails are closed/dangerous in that case. The hotel Agusta is in your price range, two minute walk to the harbour and five minutes from the train station.

We stayed in Levanto at a modest small hotel called Serafina. The rooms were about 70 Euros a night. I would recommend Levanto as a home base, which has many hotels in all price ranges, lots of restaurants, a great beach, and is only a 5 minute train ride to the first Cinque Terre town, Monterosa. The hiking trail from Levanto to Monterosa is hardly used, and it's a scenic 3 hour trek.

We're thinking of Da Barani in Manarola... it seems like a nice B&B.
Anyone have any experience staying there?

Yes, I stayed there in 2001 and really liked it. A bit of a hike up the hill, but very worth it. Lovely owners. They are little apartments with kitchens. The views are good too. I would highly recommend it. Manarola is very beautiful and not too touristy, but I was there in October, so it's probably more so in the winter.

That should, of course, be summer, not winter. . . should have previewed it.

We stayed in Vernazza about a week ago. It's a great town to stay. If you don't mind living a little less structured, we found a number of regular rooms for rent (no frills - about 50 Euro/nt). We didn't spend too much time in the room so we didn't mind it at all.

We loved Vernazza. We had a little attic room overlooking the ocean. I think the name of the place was Albergo por Santa Maria. Very basic but clean and affordable. Every morning we would trek to the dock and dive off for a morning swim. It was a great way to relax before coming home. We didn't need a car to visit the other towns.

We also stayed at da Baranin in 2001. We had a small room with a sea view. It is a hike up the hill. The room was fine and we would stay there again. Not all of the rooms have kitchens, they have a variety of accomadations. www.baranin.com

I am also a fan of Levanto. We stayed at Villa Margherita (85 euros per night). We are staying again in early October. Friendly, clean, nice garden, quick walk to train station (only a few minute trip to CT). Levanto is nice to walk around in the early am (coffee with the locals).

I just got back from Italy a week ago. Stayed for 2 fantastic nights in Monterosso.

It was a fabulous place to be based. We stayed at the Hotel Baia for 120 Euros per night (incl breakfast) with a balcony overlooking the beach and a private bathroom. It was very basic but clean and fairly mellow.

But the place next door- the Spiaggia had rooms going for 80 euros (incl breakfast). We went in to check them out and they were bigger and more modern. They had the special deal for people who just turned up...otherwise they would be 120 as well.

The advantage of stayng in the Cinque Terra is that you can get going early and do a big chunk of walking before it's too hot. And a big advantage of Monterosso is the incredible food. Best meals of our trip eaten there!!! Such a fantastic atmosphere. Wish I was going back tomorrow!!

Hi, we just got back from Cinque Terre two days ago - it was fabulous - would go again in a heartbeat. We stayed in Monterossa at Hotel La Colonnina - www.lacolonninacinqueterre.it. It was a very basic but comfortable room with a large terrace. For 4 of us, it was 170 Euros including breakfast. We loved Monterossa because of the beach - my kids love the beach! We also did a lot of hiking - the trail from Monterossa to Vernazza is spectacular - a little strenuous but my 6 and 10 year old made it. The view is amazing. We also loved the food in Monterossa - had great meals every evening. In Vernazza, I had the best foccachi I have ever eaten from a little foccacheria on the main street. We took a boat ride to Riomaggiore and hiked (walked really!) to Manarola. Those villages are very nice as well, but no beaches. Have a blast and try some of the Lemonichi - lemon liquor -and of course the wine!

There is no need to spend 120 euro per night in the CT as the area is "supposed" to be lower in price than the other tourist regions in Italy. However, that is rapidly changing as the CT is raising its rates to become more competitive with its other tourist neighbors! IMO, Riomaggiore is the most central and easily accessible of the 5 CT villages and provides a good base for further exploration of adjacent towns such as Portovenere, Lerici, etc. I recommend the Villa Argentina hotel in Riomaggiore for only 70 euro per night (single) and 78-106 for double (variance in rates dependent on location - the hotel has several off-site rentals that would apply in this case). All rates including an ample continental breakfast served daily from 8-10:30 am in the hotel (behind the lobby area). For further information look at: http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Liguria.../index.uk.html

Buon viaggio and enjoy your time in the CT!