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Monterosso al Mare in April - where to stay?

Posted by (USA) on

We are pretty sophisticated travellers to Europe over the last 30 years (this will be our sixth trip to Italy in 3 1/2 years), but I have never experienced what seems to me unreasonable terms for a room in Monterosso al Mare before the high season even kicks in; i.e. one place wants a full non-refundable payment 3 months in advance of stay, one takes cash only, one non-refundable deposits, etc. I like the protection a credit card payment offers, and I don't pay in advance for a hotel room. None of this was ever the case anywhere else we've stayed in Italy, including two trips to Lake Como, which is very touristy. Most of the places I have checked online don't post their rates or take confirmed reservations online; I have to inquire by e-mail, which leads me to believe rates are jacked up for American inquiries.

Can any one recommend a nice, fair place to stay within easy reach of the train station in Monterosso? We are not high maintenance people requring a fancy room, but I don't like being taken advantage of. We will be staying in Genoa for the week in April, but I'd like to spend a couple of nights in Monterosso, rather than just do day trips to CTerre, but as I re-read my post, I am getting turned off from staying there!

Posted by
44 posts

2 years ago we stayed at Hotel La Spiaggia. Very close to train station and the beach. The owner, Andrea Poggi, was like the local "godfather", where everyone in town knew and respected him. I would advise booking directly with the hotel, as he indicated that the cost of using a booking website is higher to include the website fees. He even encourages you to pay by check when you check out. Apparently he has enough experience that he can read people and know when one is not to be trusted.
Just be prepared for massive crowds, but Monterosso is still very much worth dealing with the crowds.
- Steve

Posted by
16721 posts

Another vote for La Spiaggia. They're an very easy walk from the train station, and book a room with a sea-side balcony for a lovely view. The rooms are small (typical of most in Italy) and simply furnished but clean and comfortable. It's a family-run business which takes only cash, and they are VERY popular so book EARLY.

Oh, they also have a lift, and breakfast is included in the tariff. We've recommended it to several friends who've had great stays there as well.

http://www.laspiaggiahotel.com

Mr. Andrea is a veritable wealth of local knowledge, and his daughter, Maria, minds the desk most of the time and is a real gem. Be nice to to them and it'll pay back umpty times over.

Posted by
32401 posts

Although it's not exactly close to the train station, one of my favourite hotels in all of Europe is Hotel Villa Steno. Their rates for 2018 are shown on their website. It's located in the old town slightly uphill from the main piazza. These days I normally take a Taxi when arriving or departing with luggage, but I find it very easy to reach the hotel by foot. Their "sister" hotel, Hotel Pasquale is also a good choice and it's easier to access.

April is the beginning of tourist season, so it likely won't be as crowded with the cruise ship hordes as it will be later in the year.

Posted by
111 posts

We stayed at L' Anticca Terrazza and loved it. We found it in Rick's Italy and they offer a RS discount if you pay cash. This is probably a little cheaper than the other recommendations so far but it was very nice, and we will stay there again. It's in the old town and not too far from the main square. As a bonus, there is a tiny restaurant next door, also recommended by Rick, that served us one of the best and cheapest meals we had in Italy. If you are a guest at the hotel, go inside the restaurant, order your meal and they will bring it up to your room. When you're done, take the dishes back and pay. Our first meal was 20 Euros and the second night we paid 16 Euros- the owner gave us a deal. One night we ate on our tiny balcony, the next night on the hotel's roof terrace.

Posted by
101 posts

I stayed at Villa Steno and loved it. Loved the family who ran it, beautiful view off my patio and breakfast was included. I took a taxi to the hotel but ended up walking to the train station on my return.

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