Cinque Terre: Which of the 3 options would you choose

At this late date, I would be more concerned where I could find accommodations for 3. All the villages are charming. I liked Monterosso as there are beach areas and lots of town to walk around in - also it seemed more level than Vernazza or Rio Maggiore. Easier for a 3 year old to walk.

Yes, I am aware of that. Timing is not ideal.
But have multiple listings already researched and ready to put in my CC details at some point within 24 hours so do know what is available and described them at least a little in my post.
I should have mentioned Wifi is almost a requirement for me. Spotty service OK, but want something in the way of wifi as backup entertainment for a fussy 3 year old so have been crossing places off that don't have wifi in the room.

If you don't expect to do much real hiking, maybe Manarola has enough "pseudo-hiking" for the group together. For instance the trail that goes up to the main viewpoint (back toward town), and the bocce court and cemetery. Once you get up the stairs, they've also made a nice, level vineyard/garden walking path. Fences might not be fully toddler-proof, but better than the edge of a cliff. If you're just trying to tire her out, stairs will be great. From any of these towns, you can also walk uphill on the road out of town (no protected sidewalks).

That's a good point Laura and the view you mention is my main draw to Manarola, great to know there is some flat space for playing there.
And from what I understand I can at least walk part of the Path between Manarola and RioMaggiore even if it ends very early.

I guess the problem is I want to book Manarola but don't want to regret it especially since I liked the place I already booked months ago in Vernazza I would now be cancelling.

To clarify I do plan myself on doing at least one of the hikes, probably Vernazza to Monterosso (maybe on that one beach day while my daughter and wife lounge on the beach ; I can do the hike and meet them at the beach after)

Is there enough to do in Manarola (shopping, site seeing etc...) ? ; daughter is fairly relaxed so don't need to run her about and the fact the villages are car free makes it safer for her to walk without holding our hands in town which is nice.

There's not a lot of shopping in Manarola, but I suppose there's "one of each" important thing. There is a small playground on the point, as well as squares in town where kids ride trikes or play ball.

mr,

Based on your criteria, IMHO either Manarola or Monterosso would be good choices. A few thoughts......

Manarola

• I've never stayed there, but have considered it several times. If you're staying down closer to the harbour, it's probably only about a 5 minute walk through the small tunnel to the railway station.
• If you stay higher up near the Hostel, it will be a bit of an uphill climb each time you return to the hotel. That's not necessarily a disadvantage as higher up will provide better views.
• You won't be able to walk far on the the trail to Riomaggiore, as the small Bar is fairly close to the Manarola end.
• Manarola has some good restaurants, and lots of little shops and gelato stands on the main street.
• There is a small swimming area at the harbour, but I doubt that it would be suitable for your 3 year old.

Monterosso

• This provides the greatest number of options both for hotels as well as restaurants and other amenities (including laundromats).
• As you mentioned, there's a new town and an old town and it's only about a 10-15 minute easy & mostly level walk between them.
• If you stay in the new town, you'll be close to the station.
• If you stay in the old town it's a pleasant walk to the station, although I'd suggest using a Taxi when hauling luggage.
• From the old town, you'll also be slightly closer to the entrance to the trail to Vernazza (Park Pass required to hike the Sentiero Azzurro trails).
• There's a nice piazza in the old town with a play area for children (as I recall). That seems to be a gathering place for the locals, especially in the evenings. There's also a local market held there one day per week (Thursday?).
• There are beaches both in the old town and new town, so your family will have a choice. Some parts of the beach are "pay-per-use" while others are free. If you stay there, your hotel can provide more information on that. The beach in the new town is the largest and nicest of all the five towns. The beach in the old town is smaller but also very nice.
• Visiting the beach will be easier if staying in Monterosso, as your hotel may be able to provide towels, etc. Also, you'll be able to leave most valuables locked in your hotel room and just take a small amount of cash for a gelato or whatever, and perhaps a small camera.
• For a stay in September rooms in the C.T. will be booking up, but you'll be more likely to find a room in Monterosso. You may have to take what you can find.

Of the five towns I've found Vernazza to be the most crowded during the days, especially when there are cruise ship or other tour groups in the area. While Monterosso can also be "busy", the town is larger so it absorbs the crowds better. My favourite hotel (perhaps in all of Europe) is in the old town of Monterosso, and it provides fantastic views but is far enough from the madding crowds to provide a tranquil oasis.

Good luck with your decision and Buon Viaggio!

Ken, thank you for the detail.
I am sure Monterosso is lovely, I just felt it was not as picturesque as Manarola or Vernazza. Something about all of those colored houses on the cliffside just does something for me.
I decided to put in a request to book the place in Manarola.

Laura mentioned a playground and you did as well ; I did a little looking into that and thought the Manarola playground looked wonderful occupying an amazing view. I could see us going there everyday multiple times per day. Monterosso offers something similar but don't believe Vernazza does so that is what I needed to push me to Manarola.

I'd pick Vernazza. We weren't really much in our room. Most of the time we were down by the harborfront.

Just seeing this now, so know you may have already booked. If you have, the choice you made is an excellent one and you will have a fantastic time. It is really stressful to find the 'perfect' location....my advice, as an uber control freak and travel planner....pick one, and go with it. Enjoy what the village has to offer. We have been to all 5, and each has something unique to offer. All have citizens with children and playgrounds. Vernazza, quite frankly is our favorite, even traveling sans kids. There's a local playground right at the top of the little village as you get off the train, near a beloved restaurant, Il Pirata, that we frequent. While we don't have little children any more, we love watching the locals enjoy the playground.. Each village is so small, as so easily navigated, that you really (I mean REALLY) don't have to worry about these details. Just go, experience the local culture, and enjoy. Walk down to the harbor, sit on a bench, let the Italian women kiss your 3 yo on the cheek, and relax. Second favorite, just for the record, is Monterosso....lots to do. Old Town, New (er) Town. Great beach. ALL have wonderful and warm people, great pesto and fresh seafood, and....crowds. Just go with it. It is crowded during the day, thank you RS, other travel gurus, and cruise ships. It's ok, it fuels the economy, and that really is good for the locals, especially when the governmental infrastructure, for all sorts of reasons, cannot. You will have a blast!

Thanks Susan,
I am really looking forward to it
I did book the room in Manarola but went back and forth with Vernazza

I think we can hop between the towns easily on train or ferry so the town we stay in is not super critical and anticipate we will visit all 5

I do worry that Manarola lacks attractions like Monterosso and Vernazza have like the castles, churches, etc not to mention less shopping for my wife
The walk / stair climb from the train to our room worries me just cause it will make us less likely to take advantage of exploring
It does seem to offer excellent restaurants though, to me seems better than Vernazza in that regard

This may sound corny but the view of Manarola at sunset from the cemetery area looking toward town is one of my favorite all time images of anywhere in the world
I want to take with my camera lens a shot with my own spin on that classic view
I think I can sell that image (I currently sell some photographs in galleries/restaurants, etc) but more importantly I want to print it big and hang it in my own home
The ability to be able to point out on that photo the exact place we stayed as a family gives it a special touch I think

Vernazza from the trails above has some magestically beautiful image potential as well and really there are 2 amazing views in Vernazza that look completely different depending on which trail you are on but the single most powerful image of the cinque Terre to me is in Manarola
The fact that the playground was right next to where I would be photographing and have the same view sealed the deal for me

Susan,
Part of me still has Vernazza on my mind
You mention it does have a playground but has it been rebuilt and reopened since the flooding?
There was a playground but seems to have been washed away in 2011 and unsure it was rebuilt yet?