Cinque Terre Accomodations

ted,

That wouldn't have been my choice, especially as it doesn't include breakfast. If you want very easy access to the station and beach views, Hotel La Spiaggia is a good choice (and they include breakfast).

You could also check THIS List although I'm not sure when it was last updated. Note that some of the places will still be closed for the season, so you may not get an immediate reply to enquiries.

I would never book a hotel without breakfast, a must have for travelers, so I enthusiastically second Ken's recommendation for Hotel La Spiaggia where I stayed several nights in late September 2016. It is less than a block from the train station, right on the beach, marvelous breakfast buffet (with coffee to go if you like), large and lovely garden patio in the back for relaxing with wine before or after dinner, gelato place directly across the street, very friendly and helpful staff (very good English). It was great! So is Monterosso - wide boardwalk for strolling by the beach, easy walk from old town to new town, excellent restaurants, interesting sights to see - don't miss the climb up to the Cauchin Convent - stunning high-up views of the Ligurian coast. And best of all, you can avoid the selfie-stick mobs in Vernazza. What's not to love!

A third vote for Hotel La Spiaggia: even closer to the train station; great staff; elevator; breakfast; reception desk (not 24-hour but long enough); nice view of the water IF you reserve a sea-view room with a balcony. The rooms are small and simply furnished but neat and clean, and you won't probably be spending that much time in your room anyway.

It's very popular as it's modestly priced for a great location, and books up very quickly.

Back to Ken, Susan, and Kathy --- Thanks for your help. I looked at Hotel La Spiaggia and seemed great. However, they do not have our three nights consecutively. We'd need to get a room with ocean side view the first night and switch to ocean front view the next two nights. If the views are terrific maybe it's worth the move.

Plus, the do not have any cancellation available. Any change and your money is gone. We usually avoided the "no refund" places. And you mention breakfast, but I don't think it is included; but just available in their restaurant?

The other option - Affittacamere Lo Scoglia - allows for cancellations and seems quite nice (we have an full ocean view room).
But, it's always a bit hard to see online whether rooms have a balcony/terrace, or are you just looking out a window.

La Spiaggia looks beautiful, but Lo Scoglia appears very nice, also. Did any of you actually see Lo Scoglia when you were there?
Opinions of it. Thanks.

Crashing in a bit here, but also planning to go to Cinque Terre in March. But can't decide whether to stay in Monterosso or Vernazza! Have to pick one. Ted and others, how did you make your decision?

Thanks!

Heather, for us it's all about the train accessibility. We are coming from Venice and leaving for Florence. Plus, during the days in Cinque Terre we expect to use the local train for shooting between villages - when we are tired of hiking!
Plus, we opted out of the "mountain side hotels" because of luggage moving, navigating to and from, plus any extra cost for shuttle bus or taxi.