Cinque Terre - settle for a reservation or take chances?

Cameron, As you've discovered, the Cinque Terre often books up very quickly, and trying to get a booking at this late date is going to be challenging. I started in March to reserve a room for September, and it took me the better part of four days to get it sorted. Where did you obtain the names of the "recommended hotels"? Which places have you tried so far? With a list of names, some of the group here may have some suggestions. My suggestion would be to try and get something nailed down, as if you "take your chances" you will likely have to accept a room that's "either overpriced or subpar". At least when booking in advance, it provides some choice. BTW, Congratulations!

We travel to Cinque Terre frequently and would advise, as others have, to get reservations ahead of time. It may already be too late to do so however. Try these sites. The first has a great view but requires climbing many steps (about 150). The second doesn't have steps to climb but may be a little more expensive: http://www.manuelsguesthouse.com/
http://www.pietredimare.it/index.php Let me know if you have any luck with these. George

Definitely nail something down or you'll risk not being able to get anything when you're there. We were there the 3rd week of September in 2009 & we met a couple who didn't have reservations & said they had spent the better part of a day trying to find something & to no avail. They finally ended up staying outside the CT somewhere. Did you try Hotel Margherita in Monterosso? We really enjoyed it and would stay there again. The room rate was a bit pricey but the rooms were modern, clean and comfortable and the breakfast buffet was incredible.

Contact her in Vernazza: http://www.elisabettacarro.it/

The dates you mention are Wednesday to Saturday, with a Friday night stay. Many hotels/B&Bs prefer to rent both Fri and Sat nights together. You might try adjusting your dates a little, maybe eliminate the Fri night stay and see if you can find something. I have stayed in La Spezia when arriving at CT with no reservation. There is a range of hotels there and the town is only a few minutes by train from the CT towns. Levanto, at the other end of the CT towns, also has hotels and B&Bs.

I like Levanto better than La Spezia. It a little resort town.
Have a good trip!

Thank you all for your replies; I'm sorry I haven't got back earlier but have been busy. I had e-mailed, in the past, a number of places recommended in Rick's book scattered throughout the area, as well as any places listed as possibly having availability on Tripadvisor. I was starting to panic a bit given that the only availability I could find on TA was "I Coralli" in Monterosso, which was quoting $CAD283/night (and was ranked near the bottom on TA). Fortunately, I sent out another dozen or so e-mails to other places listed in Rick's book and was able to find a much cheaper double in a room let via Mar Mar in Riomaggiore. (All the places listed previously in this thread are unfortunately full). If I learned anything from this, it's that the Cinque Terre doesn't fit the traditional hotel model, so you need to e-mail a bunch of places instead of looking online, and that you need to start EARLY if you have a particular place in mind.

Just made a reservation for 20 & 21 Sept. in Monterosso al Mare at Hotel Villa Adriana. Email them at [email protected] seems like a very nice place per reviews on Trip Advisor. There is a website www.CinqueTerreHotels.com and that is how I found this place. Put your dates and info in and you receive emails from places with availability. Happy Honeymoon. Marie

Glad you found a place Cameron. CT can be a challenge, with long or short notice because, as you have found, it doesn't fit typical hotel booking methods we are so used to nowadays where you can find anythign online and book with immediate confirmation. The majority of CT places (rooms, hotels, and the like) are STILL handling reservations as they did some 15 years ago on my first tripwith a simple email and wait response. A few these days DO have websites, but it is a rare property that has "live" online booking. There are still MANY places in Italy that work this way. Note that the "hotels" don't necessarily fit the traditional hotel model either. Maybe breakfast is complimentary, but more likely you're on your own. TV/satellite TV, a/c, elevatorHAH! Good luck. Remember, this is a vacation from your vacation in the "working man's Riviera", and you will be welcomed and taken care of, but few TRUE hotels (with the image that conjures) exist. Now that your booking expectations have shifted, be sure to also shift your "expectation" expectations.....Enjoy the tranquility and awesome scenery and eat some foccaccia in Vernazza for me!

Cameron, It's great to hear that you found a place to stay! I used Mar-Mar on my last visit to the Cinque Terre, and was very pleased with the service and the room. The rooms are all separate, so it's not the same as a Hotel. They'll provide information on how to find their office, but as I recall it's imperative that you arrive before 17:00 as that's when they close for the day. Also, I found that it was a good idea to settle the bill the night before departure. Riomaggiore is a beautiful small town, with some nice restaurants. Most of them aren't open for breakfast though. If you want information on the "two part breakfast" method I used, send me a PM. There are at least two ATM's in the station plaza, should you need cash. When you arrive, you may be accosted by the famous Mama Rosa offering you a place in her Hostel (just politely refuse). I'll be there at about the same time, but would have to check my Itinerary for the exact dates. Cheers!

We booked a room in Vernazza at Taverna Del Capitano for the middle of September. It is a restaurant right by the sea with rooms available for rent. It is in the center of town and each room has a private bath. Breakfast in the piazza is included in your room price and it averages about 90 euros/night

Check out this sweet place: Carugiu B&B in Manarola before committing...www.carugiu.com