Laura did you try Francamaria's in Vernazza which is in the R.S. book? We stayed 4 nights here in July 2009. There was 5 of us so we had to get 2 rooms. Had rm. 1 (accommodates 3 people)which had a wonderful view of the harbor/square and hardly any steps and rm. 3 which was close by, no harbor view but still very nice. Ideally for our 2nd rm. we would have loved rm. 2 (for 2 people), with the same harbor/square view as rm. 1 and is right next to rm. 1 but it was booked.
In 2006 our family of 4 stayed at a place in Vernazza listed in R.S. book as Nicolina. I can't really recommend this place too much. The description in the book is very true--funky and lived in. The first night we had the place with the painted ceiling in the bedrm. and then for the rest of our stay they moved us down one flight to an apartment that looked like somebody had just moved out so that we could stay there. All their personal stuff still there! It looked out over the main drag so that was fun.
I will list several websites that may be helpful and apologize if these are repeats.
www.cinqueterre.com
www.cinqueterreonline.com
www.cinqueterreriviera.com