2 Best Hotels in Portovenere, The Italian Riviera

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.