34 Best Hotels in The Italian Riviera, Italy

This simple and utterly charming inn is a stone's throw away from the main train station (Piazza Principe), and is handily located near most sights. Rooms are large, beds are comfortable and many look out onto a very quiet courtyard, and there's an ample buffet breakfast. There's no on-site parking, but guests receive a discount at a local garage.

This lovely little guesthouse on the seafront promenade of Noli is stylishly done with wood floors, uncluttered white walls with splashes of bright colors, and modern decor. A bountiful breakfast is served in a cheerful dining and sitting room, and a nice beach club owned by the same family is just across the road. There's a two- or three-night minimum stay outside the winter months, and children are not accommodated.

Perched majestically above Camogli's beaches, the former summer palace of Genoa's doges features many guest rooms with expansive balconies and commanding vistas of the city's port. This is indisputably among the best addresses in town. Aside from enjoying the lovely lounges, you can relax in the well-kept park, or swim and soak in the sun. There's a week's minimum stay in July and August.

Its location—set amid hills of olive trees yet steps from the village center—makes this hotel with bright rooms and contemporary furnishings one of the best places to stay in Lerici. Junior suites have large terraces and spa baths, but any sea-view room is a value. The welcoming, relaxing atmosphere is evident in a sitting area surrounded by a garden, an ideal place for enjoying a bountiful breakfast. The restaurant specializes in fresh seafood.

As you enter this 1890s-vintage hotel above Piazza Acquaverde, you’ll be transported from the modern city to a more glamorous era, thanks to details such as the original marble floors and lush gilt and richly colored velvet furniture in common areas. Traditionally styled guest rooms have details like steamer trunks, wooden minibars that evoke an age of grandeur, and artwork that depicts Genoa’s maritime history. Some rooms have soaking tubs, and there are also a fitness room and a small spa with a private waterbed and a hot tub room.

On a street filled with beautiful old villas, this Victorian-era former private residence has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, beautiful gardens, a spa, and well-appointed rooms (some with balconies). There are also family suites and a self-catering apartment sleeping five. Breakfast can be enjoyed in a sunroom, and just outside its windows, citrus trees sway. An in-house bar offers the perfect place to have an aperitivo, either in one of the well-appointed rooms or outside in the flower-filled garden. There is a minimum two-night stay in summer.

With wood-beam ceilings and stone walls, the stylishly restored and updated rooms in this 16th-century house in the historic center of Monterosso ooze comfort and old-world charm. Owners Fausto and Mariapia go out of their way to make you feel at home, and staff can whip up a fantastic breakfast, served in the lovely private garden under the lemon trees (or in your room in bad weather). Do not miss Fausto's limoncello, made from lemons in their garden: you'll find it in the minibar in your room.

One of the Cinque Terre's few "boutique" hotels is in a 17th-century tower that sits high on the hill above the rainbow-hued village of Manarola, with truly lovely views of the terraced vineyards, colorful village homes, and the Mediterranean sea; inside, decor is chic, sleek, and antiques-bedecked. Guest rooms vary from cozy to nearly luxurious suites, while the solarium is perfect for an aperitivo (aperitif), served each evening, and for taking in the enchanting views.

In a typical Ligurian terratetto on the old port, this charming locanda, or inn, is reminiscent of old-world voyages but with the amenities to make it a comfortable and relaxing stop for today's traveler. Rooms are decorated in warm tones and outfitted with modern bathrooms, and all offer views on to the harbor or the sea. Breakfast is taken in your room or in the quayside bar.

The hotel, a 19th-century merchant's mansion modeled after a Chinese temple, has a pool, a private park, access to the famed clifftop walk, and magnificent ocean views; request a tower room for the best vantage point. This retreat is the best of both worlds, as you can enjoy peace and quiet or be in bustling Genoa in 15 minutes.

This 1920s luxury hotel oozes charm, taste, and lovely scenery, with a particular attention to color—from the coordinated floral linens in corals and gold in the guest rooms to the fresh flowers in the reception rooms, the two restaurants, and on the large terrace. Offering a tennis court, water sports, boat excursions, and plenty of activities for children, the hotel has become quite family-friendly, and a spa offers further pampering. A frequent shuttle runs down to Portofino's center.

A classic Genovese building tucked away on a side street, with the original staircase from the 1900s, is home to a welcoming inn on the border of the historic district and Via Garibaldi. Rooms include family-friendly spaces with a bunk bed, and the bathrooms are mostly bright and spacious. A reading room is an added amenity. The staff are more than happy to offer advice, especially on dining options. Breakfast is ample, and the price is reasonable or included in the room rate.

At this good-value chain offering in the heart of the city, an ordinary apartment-building exterior gives way to a polished lobby and modern rooms, some with spectacular views. The location is ideal—near Via Roma, the grand shopping street, and one block from Piazza de Ferrari, which divides new Genoa from old Genoa. A choice of pillows, coffee makers in all rooms, a gym, and a spa are added bonuses. Some rates include breakfast.

At this intimate hotel, comfortable and soothingly designed guest rooms—some with canopy beds, pastel walls, and ultramodern bathrooms—are spread across two small 19th-century town houses on a quiet backstreet. The hallways can seem like a labyrinth, but every corner of the hotel is graced with a high level of service. There's also a lovely garden, with a hydromassage Jacuzzi, where breakfast is offered in warm-weather months.

Classic Riviera elegance prevails at this palatial hotel overlooking the bay, where antique furniture and crystal chandeliers fill the high-ceiling rooms. The five-star grading meets all expectations, not least for the fantastic service and facilities. Stroll through the lush garden, then take a dip in the curvaceous swimming pool (April–October) or in the sea, at the beach across the street. The hotel has a state-of-the-art fitness center and beauty treatments.

This 13th-century Franciscan monastery turned elegant hotel incorporates modern enhancements while retaining the structure's impressive rose facade, arches, and frescoes. Guest rooms, done in earth tones and blues, are stylishly modern and some have great views of Palmaria Island, the Gulf of Poets, and the town's historic center; Cloister suites set under the building's original arches have expansive terraces. The hotel's Palmaria restaurant offers a robust breakfast (with robust views), and candlelit dinners on its terrace, where you can also watch the sunset with a drink at its Venus Bar. Book direct for free garage parking.

True to its name (which means "beautiful view"), the best rooms in this sunny Liberty-style building face the bay of Portovenere, with lovely vistas of Palmaria Island and the Gulf of Poets. Several indoor and outdoor dining and sitting areas also face the port. The simply furnished guest rooms are not luxurious, but they don't break the bank, either.

One of Europe's gracious 19th-century grand hotels, the Bristol Palace guards its reputation for courtesy, service, and elegance, offering mostly spacious, handsomely furnished, high-ceilinged guest rooms and lovely public spaces. Some of the rooms have original multicolor inlaid marble floors and other period details. Surrounding the hotel's central oval staircase, the welcoming salons set the tone: they are comfortable, small, and pleasantly discreet, with paneled walls and soft lighting. Booking online can result in great deals.

A stately seaside mansion surrounded by a lush garden shaded by tall palms and pine trees offers stylish accommodations done in a blend of classic furnishings, mostly inspired by the 19th century. The hotel's cabanas and swimming area are at the foot of the garden.

Relaxed and friendly, this hotel set in its own grounds just steps from the sea makes a great alternative to staying in Genoa, which is easily accessible by train in just 15 minutes from the station opposite. Guest rooms are on the old-fashioned side, but all have a small balcony with views of either the sea or the hotel garden (request the Comfort category for a little more space). The panoramic Anita Garibaldi seaside promenade is close by, and it's a short and pleasant stroll across a leafy park to reach Nervi's two main attractions, the Wolfsoniana collection and the modern art gallery. If you're not inspired by the hotel's handy but somewhat staid restaurant, there's a choice of trattorias in the town, while drivers will be relieved to avoid getting embroiled in Genoa's traffic.

Prepare to relax at this family-run seaside establishment, where one pleasure is lounging on one of the deck chairs on the hotel's rooftop solarium and enjoying its sea views. Guest rooms are simple and bright, some with maritime decor, and all have a balcony. A generous breakfast buffet is served in the indoor dining area. From the hotel, you can easily get to nearby tennis courts, a public outdoor pool, and a golf course, but being so near the beach is the biggest plus.

They may not have sea views, but the stylish, comfortable rooms here are decorated in a classic style, and some have large balconies. Most bathrooms have been remodeled. The location is very central, within easy walking distance of a choice of eateries, and there is a modestly priced in-house restaurant that offers a daily changing menu. Valet parking and spa facilities are available at additional charges.

Formerly the Grillo family palace, this sumptuously comfortable boutique hotel integrates architectural details from the 1500s to the 1700s—like an original marble entryway and staircase, frescoed ceilings, and frieze details in some rooms—with clean-lined modern luxury. All of the furniture has been handpicked and combines vintage pieces with those from some of Italy's best designers, with an emphasis on minimalism and surprising pops of color. Public spaces such as the ballroom-size living room, billiards room, and top-floor terrace add to the appeal.

There's an air of seclusion and a respite from hectic San Remo in these bright, well-equipped rooms—some with balconies and sea views—that face a quiet, palm-fringed garden and pool. The hotel is surrounded by manicured grounds and an adjacent, lush public park. A pleasant restaurant offers a fixed-price menu for lunch and dinner, or a variety of à la carte options. There's a four-night minimum stay in July and August.

Sea-view rooms at this small hotel along the promenade have nice little balconies, and there's a terrace perfect for enjoying the sunset and vistas of France. Many of the clean and simple accommodations have been updated in a pleasantly contemporary style.

Ask for a room on the third floor.

The grand former home of a musician and composer, this 18th-century villa perched on a fragrant hillside above white-sand beaches has since had a wing added, creating a wonderful retreat from the crowds at the water's edge. Lush gardens, beautiful views, and a natural grotto with Jacuzzi and bar are among the amenities, and free parking is available.

On a street filled with beautiful old villas, this Victorian-era former residence has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, beautiful gardens, a spa, and well-appointed rooms at reasonable prices. In the back garden, there is a swimming pool and a small playground, making it a good choice for families. The hotel has one apartment.

The tastefully decorated and bright guest rooms at this small inn with a pool on the Punto Mesco headland have unobstructed vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and Riviera coastline. Lovely gardens and terraces surround the stone building, and the nice sunning area provides a perfect spot for an easygoing day.

A cut above other lodging options in the Cinque Terre, these small, white-walled guest rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, marble showers, and comfortable bedding and have views of the sea or the port, which can also be enjoyed at their most bewitching from a shared terrace literally suspended over the Mediterranean. Call ahead to be met on arrival in the village for help with finding the place and carrying luggage—and make sure to reserve far ahead, as the four rooms book up quickly. There's a two-night minimum stay. 

Modern, bright, and sleekly decorated guest rooms and the on-site gourmet restaurant add allure to this five-star chain hotel in the modern part of the city. The wide variety of amenities includes plasma TVs and some Jacuzzi tubs, but all of this chic luxury is relatively inexpensive for hotels in the area. Breakfast can be omitted from your booking, if preferred.