Staying in Cinque Terre

Louise, unfortunately, RS still has this romantic idea of a sleepy CT with plenty of rooms. From May to late September this is mostly not true. Interestingly, he's the one who put the place on the map BIG TIME. To get anything nice you will need advance reservations.

There are room rental offices in the towns that will try their best to get you a room. Also, during the high season, just about anybody who live there has a relative that will rent you a room. To be fair, I've seen dozens of posts from people who took their chances and found lovely places to stay - quaint, views, good food, etc.

On the flip side, we stayed in La Spezia last year because we couldn't get into the CT in late May and we wanted firm reservations. Perhaps we didn't dig deep enough. However, in our hotel, we found several guests who were disppointed that they couldn't do their regular thing by just showing up and getting a room. They ended up in La Spezia.

Thanks, Larry. Have to admit I wouldn't be very comfortable anywhere w/out a reservation anymore these days ` especially if you want your own bathroom!

We stayed in Vernazza via Egi Rooms which we learned of via Rick Steeves site/book in May 2006. He rents out his family's apartments to guests since they now live in La Spezia and I highly recommend him. We settled things via email and then once we were in Italy we confirmed via phone which train we would be on so that he could meet us at the train station. Egi was so nice he helped carry our luggage to his apartments and even made sure we had a little welcome of some danishes and fresh coffee for the morning. He has 2 rooms one has bed/bath and the other has a bed/bath and kitchen area for 120 euro per night in 2006.

Contact info Egidio [email protected]

He doesn't accept credit cards so you just pay in cash when you arrive and you are set. I highly recommend him.

Definetly get reservations. When walking around Vernazzo in Sept. I was a couple trying to find a room and ringing bells. I did meet a couple who went to one hotel and the reservationist rented out their own apartment to them for 2 nights and she went to stay with a friend, but I think they were lucky. Plan ahead if you can, so you don't waste time hiking around to find a room instead of hiking the trails.

i was in chinque terre on a weekend with no reservation. there was a wedding in vernazza and all the rooms were booked. keep in mind, Italians vacation in that region as well. and everyone you goes there seems to be carrying a Rick Steves book and you know where they'll be! Tip: the earlier you show up in a town the more likely you are to find something. Always call 1 town and 1 day ahead for reservation. your current place with help you. Good luck!

William is correct. We saw lots of people in the room agency offices and dang if most didn't have that blue book with yellow lettering (RS book). They just dropped in looking for a room. Still, it's a lovely and scenic area to visit. Book early.

I planned my early June trip to Vernazza in March 07.I reserved 2 nights at Gianni Franzi"s,could not get another 2 nights.I'm not fussy about where I lay my head,so I figured I would find something when I arrived.I had read Rick's suggestions to walk around & ask,but unfortunately missed "except on weekends".I called some places on the list once there,but no luck.So,I asked at one of the restaurants.Waitress was very willing to make a few phone calls.I got a room within 5 minutes of my query & Enrica met me there.Room was clean,spacious d/b,on 2nd floor. Even tho' it cost more than my 5'x7' s/nb at Franzi's, my arthritic knees appreciated 1/3 as many steps.While it had zero view,it was very quiet,which is really what I need for sleeping.At GF you had to stick your head out the window to get a view.There are views everywhere outside.
Vernazza was not horribly busy.Manarola is very charming,but very small& quiet.I'd recommend reservations anywhere,if you are the least bit anxious.

Thanks everybody - it has helped so much! We've narrowed it down to staying in Vernazza and have a couple of places we're thinking about.