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Cinque Terre - Not easy to find lodging in mid-May - need suggestions

I thought Sun-Weds in mid-May would be easier to find lodging then on a weekend but everytime I pick what I seem to think is a great place they are full. We are a family of 4 (all adults - 1 teen, and 1 early 20's). There is availability at the Hotel 5 Terre Monteresso, and Hotel Piccola in Manarola and Appartamento Panorama Manarola --- still looking for others.

Any thoughts on these?

Posted by
2193 posts

If it were me, I would make a reservation in advance. It’s not a bargain place, but check out Torretta’s in Manarola: http://www.torrettas.com/

I can highly recommend this lodging.

Posted by
127 posts

I don't see the point of waiting until you get there to find rooms if you know when you will be there.

Posted by
55 posts

We were on the Cinque Terre last June, and stayed in Levanto. It's really easy to get to all the towns and it has more resources/food options. Has a great beach as well. That was our home base for 5 days and after visiting all the cities, we'd stay there again if we go.

Posted by
127 posts

Do you just want more hotel suggestions in general for this area? I'll be staying at the Hotel La Colonnina in April in Monterosso. I had wanted Hotel Pascale on the beach but they were booked.

Posted by
90 posts

Is it better to wait until we get there? We will be there May 16-19

Posted by
90 posts

I did try La Toretta and they are booked for the entire month of May.

Posted by
695 posts

Laura, if you don't mind getting 2 rooms, try www.carugiu.com, it is a small b and b in Manarola, we stayed there for 3 nights last September and really enjoyed it, one room is a double roome, the other is more like a suite with a little kitchen. No breakfast and no view, it would be around 135euros total for both.

Posted by
1446 posts

We stayed at the Hotel Margherita in old-town Monterosso. It was a great hotel; very modern, clean & comfortable. The breakfast buffet (included in the rate) was incredible with a large selection of items. Don't have if they have rooms available for May, but you might give it a try. I would definitely reserve your lodging now & not wait until you get there. I wouldn't want to waste precious sightseeing time hunting for a hotel. Good luck.

Posted by
1299 posts

I have not stayed in either. I love Manarola, but the Fredrica apartments does look nice on the pics. (Particularly the view) Manarola would still be my first choice (based on having been in all 5 of the towns) One advantage the Manarola apartment has is a room with 2 twin beds. Your grown children might prefer that over sharing a double. I'm glad you found something. We had a bad experience in 2003 (the place we reserved with gave our room away) We loved working with acasa5terre. Everything went very smoothly. Have a great trip.

Posted by
63 posts

Hello,
just want to point your attention to our site about the Cinque Terre where you can find an online reservation system and a powerful hotel search. Plus pictures,news and lots of video on the Blog

Posted by
90 posts

Thanks everyone. I am leaning toward Manarola but cannot find any reviews on the Catarina apartment. The Panaromic apartment looks good too but may have lots of steps and don't know how we will feel about that with several pieces of luggage! I know we will have steps wherever we go but I think some areas have some places have more than others.

Posted by
287 posts

Try www.arbaspaa.com That's where we got our reservations for an apartment. Consider packing a little lighter and taking a break in a laundromat (in England we had tea while we waited). Although we packed light then we're going to attempt to pack even lighter this time around.

Sue

Posted by
3 posts

Try Camere Giuliano, (39) 333 341 4792, 0187-821052, e-mail: [email protected] in Vernazza. Small guest house above the train station, and just delightful.

Good luck!

Posted by
12 posts

Hi Laura,
I used acasa5terre as well..... everything worked out well. Stayed in an apartment in Manarola.... even did one of the tours that is listed on their website. It was one of the highlights of the trip.
Hope you find something soon....
Shona

Posted by
1005 posts

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

Posted by
90 posts

I actually found a place in Monterossa - Hotel La Colonnina which also rents out a small apartment near the hotel. They have great reviews on Trip Advisor. Only downfall is the apartment does not have air conditioning but in mid-May that may not be a factor.

I'll report back and let you know how it was. Again, thanks for the great information - I Love This Board!

Posted by
100 posts

I was going to recommend Francamaria rooms in Vernazza also, but see you've found a place. Great! I don't think you'll have to worry much about the air con in May - just open the windows for the cool ocean breezes. BTW, if you & family all plan to walk the towns, it's a tough climb from Monterossa to next town of Vernazza. Sometimes fun to take the little train (super cheap) down to first town (Riomaggiore) and walk all the way back. It's quite a day - but fun, especially w/ ages of your kids.