Cinque Terre: Hotel Villa Steno and Pasquale

I have stayed at Villa Steno, and ate a meal at Hotel Pasquale (they're sister hotels, same owners). The Villa Steno is indeed on a hill (short hike, but it is up hill) and their balcony rooms have great views and a nice garden terrace. The Pasquale is beach level and closer to the train tracks and the main tourist area. I don't know if that means it is noisy, but check reviews. It may also depend on room type, if you want a separate bed for your kiddo there could be limited options. IMHO you can't go wrong with either (and if you stay, make sure you have the lemon marmalade at breakfast, I still dream about it).

We stayed at the Hotel Pasquale in 2006 as part of the RS 17-day Best of Italy tour. This was a location where we received the top floor room that looked out over the water. The view was spectacular! The room was efficiently small; the distance from the beach was very close. Since we had the top floor, there was quite a walk going down different halls and stairways to reach the room, but we were 50-year olds so we were glad that’s the room we had. You might prefer a lower room. We enjoyed seeing the activity on the beach when we were ready for a short break, also.

I also have stayed at Pasquale - twice to be accurate. Once on my first RS tour, Heart of Italy and 2nd in Oct 2022 on Best of Italy. I actually had the same room each time - 1st floor right above the walkway that goes up to the monastery. The room was not noisy except during the day when there were lots of people out and around and really, not only was I not there much but when I ducked in to make a comfort stop the noise could be moderated by pulling the shutters. I am a solo traveler.

If you are considering distance to the beach, I might go with Pasquale because it is literally "right there". If there is any naptime involved it would be easy for one parent to go back to the room with the kiddo and for the other one to ramble a bit.

We've stayed at Villa Steno and the views are wonderful. True, it is up a hill, but it's not that bad. And you are on vacation so just strolling along enjoying your surroundings will make the walk seem like nothing.

Just stayed at the Steno and we really enjoyed it. You don’t want to be walking there from the train station with luggage, they will arrange taxi service. We walked but we only had a backpack. The walk through the garden down to the street is much nicer. It was just my wife and I (mid-60’s) and we had no problems but I’m not certain of a 5 year old.
It’s a great area so I’m sure you’ll enjoy either choice.

We stayed at the Pasquale and absolutely loved it. It was my first ever experience with marble floors and couldn’t believe how soft they were to my bare feet. We did walk to the Villa steno as happy hour was arranged during our Best of Italy RS trip. I told my husband as we walked up the steepest road I have ever been on that this was much harder than I bargained for! Glad happy hour didn’t start until we got there so it was all downhill afterwards. 😉

We have stayed at Pasquale three times.. All rooms, I believe, have ocean views. Breakfast is excellent, staff very good. Also the Belvedere restaurant is just across the square and has excellent seafood, make reservations. Plus you are as close as you can get to the start of the trail to Vernazza.

We stayed in Hotel Villa Steno twice, in 2006 and 2015. Our rooms had stunning views facing the water and town. We had a patio with table and chairs, an orange tree, and a local cat joined us, jumped right into my husband’s lap. It’s a bit quieter, which suited us. Many stairs, you get your exercise, but we didn’t mind. We walked to Levanto, trail access is easier at Pasquale, but both places are very good. Our tour companions in 2006 who stayed at Pasquale were happy, except one was bothered by proximity to Church bells keeping her awake. We were far enough from them not to mind. Hope you will love your visit. How special to be there at age 5-6. We will return there next spring for BOE!