Monterosso al Mare - Places to stay

We stayed in Villa Steno on a RS Tour. You have to climb some stairs to get there, but are rewarded with a breakfast terrace and rooms with a beautiful view. I would definitely stay there again.

We loved Hotel Porto Roca set up on a bluff with incredible ocean views. Fabulous restaurant there too.

I have reached to one of your suggestions. Thank you,

Last year, tried to book some of the recommended RS hotels in Monterosso for a group of 6, but all were booked. I found Hotel Stella Della Marina (https://www.stelladellamarina.com/en-rooms.php) and I am so glad we stayed. It is centrally located in the old city with a roof top patio with ocean views. The rooms are well appointed with air conditioning, comfortable beds, well appointed if small bathrooms. The breakfast is included in the rate.

The best thing about the hotel is the Owner Gabriele. He named the hotel after his daughter and treats guests as if they are in his own home. The hotel doesn’t have an elevator, but Gabriele carries all the luggage up the stairs. He made reservations for us at restaurants, helped us with hiking routes, and ensured that we go to our sunset cruise on time. He truly went out of the way to make sure that we had everything that we needed. I would definitely stay here again.

I agree with Suki,
The Porto Roca is very nice and the view is simply breathtaking. Spent 3 days there 2 years ago and would love to go back again!

Cinque Terre is one of those places that you have to book your hotel almost a year in advance, it's just become so popular that everyone wants to visit while in Italy.

After checking several Inns, room and small hotels, I was not able to find any available rooms. Would staying in La Spezia be a good option?

In October, I am staying in Manarola, and pretty excited about my inn. It sounds quirky, but will have amazing views. I got it out of the RS guide. The owner is also a wine maker in the area

ARIA DI MARE
Via Aldo Rollandi 149, Manarola (ITALIA)
e-mail: info@ariadimare.info
Mobile: 0039 3490584155
www.ariadimare.info

EDITED TO ADD: Nothing quirky at all about this place! Loved it, great views of the bay/ocean! If you go to Manarola, I recommend dinner at Trattoria Billy. Amazing. You would need a reservation.

I really wouldn't settle for La Spezia before exhausting options in all five Cinque Terre towns and also Levanto, which is much closer and smaller than La Spezia.

Why not try Bonassola or Levanto? Easy train connections. La Spezia is not pretty.

We just got back from a 3 week stay in Italy which included the cinque terre. We booked Villa Steno the week before we needed it. They only had one night available but I was very happy with it. It was newly renovated, spotless, comfortable, with an outdoor view terrace large enough for table and chairs 2 lounge chairs and overflowing lemon and orange tree. It was the best breakfast buffet of our 3 week stay with many homemade pastries, etc. as well as the best of the other recommended rick steves hotels we stayed in. I would definitely stay there again.

We stayed at Albergo Marina last September. While not on the beach, the beds are super comfortable and the hotel does have cold blasting air conditioning. This was the only a/c we had throughout our extensive one-month tour through Italy and it was the best sleep we got. (Last September was misery throughout Italy what with all the mosquitoes.)

The rooms are European small. The breakfast up on their roof deck was tasty and plentiful, with lots of choices.

The same owners also have an excellent restaurant that is just down the street. They offered us a free wine and pesto tasting and it was so delicious we went back for dinner the next night.

https://www.hotelmarina5terre.it/en/

I might add .. this was my 3rd trip to Cinque Terre (1999, 2011 and 2018). Monterosso al Mare really is the BEST town to stay in. Keep trying to find a room.

At the train stations, are Credit Cards excepted, or only cash? Thanks for all your assistance with our trip!!

Albergio Pasquale. Had a lovely experience there last October. Great breakfast too.
It is waterfront and a few steps from the ferry.

Stayed at the Hotel Baia this past Sept for 3 nights. Pros: Location (we had a beachfront room with a small balcony), right on the main strip, was clean, bed was fine, breakfast was good and the breakfast staff very nice. Cons: Room was small, bathroom was weird and small. Front desk staff was Meh. Had to leave your room key on a pegboard within reach of anyone walking by. Lift only lifted luggage not humans. But not for the balcony I may have gone stir crazy.