I have a reservation at both places for 2 nighrs in the middle of April and don't know which would be better. Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso al Mare has been so nice and helpful but I don't know anything about the hotel or town. La Mala was recommended by a friend, but they have not been as good at responding. Any suggestions. I need to cancel one of them soon.
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Hi Carolyn,
We stayed at the Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso al Mare - old town section. It was a wonderful hotel room with ocean view, great breakfast and yes the owners are wonderful. Unless you've driving a car and using their parking lot, you will have a few stairs to climb. We did try to get a room at La Mala in Vernazza on a different visit and they were already full for our dates but I can tell you that is very well located on the harbour. La Mala seemed like a smaller operation so they may not answer their emails as promptly. I think that your decision should be based on whether or not you want to stay in the larger town, with more activities or the smaller. intimate harbour town. Enjoy your visit to the CT. Sherry
Posted by
OP
Mt Dora, Fl, USA
13 posts
Thank you for your responce. Which town do you recommend? We have never been to Italy and I of course want to see everything!! We will be driving from Florence on so we will only be there for 1 full day and 2 nights. When we leave CT we will be going to Lake Garda. I don't know much about either town they both sound wonderful. Which one is the most senic and central?
Posted by
Trenton, NJ, United States
33 posts
Carolyn, Since you are driving, Monterosso al Mare would seem to be the better choice, especially since your hotel has a parking lot. If you were to stay in Vernazza, parking would be far up the hill and you would have a long trek with your luggage. My suggestion is to spend your first evening exploring Monterosso and then buy the one-day CT pass to explore the other four towns. Vernazza is only a five minute or so train ride from Monterosso. Since you will have only one full day in the CT, you may want to limit any hiking to the Via del Amore, the level, paved 20 minute or so walk between Riomaggiore and Manarola. For something a little more adventurous, you might want to go on the first 20 minute or so part of the walk from Vernazza to either Monterosso or Corniglia. Both involve steep climbs but the views of Vernazza are great and the walk back to Vernazza is downhill.
Posted by
OP
Mt Dora, Fl, USA
13 posts
Thank you Robert, thank sounds like a good plan!!
Posted by
Italy
247 posts
Vernazza is more scenic and La Mala has a phenomenal position directly above the sea, but if you're driving, Villa Steno is one of the few hotels that offers its guests private parking in Monterosso's old town, but book the parking when you reserve your room. There are many stone steps on the trail between Vernazza and Monterossa.