My husband and I will be there May 23rd-26 and wondering if we really will be able to find an inexpensive double room when we arrive, rather than booking ahead.
We are two weeks behind you. Would love to hear what you experience!
if you arrive early in the day you should talk to the shop owners, they'll be able to refer you to the right people with room, if no reservation. I found mine by asking one of the gift shop owners and she called the apat owner out and the owner walked us there. it was a nice room with bath, not expensive. I don't have the contact info now, but if you ask around you should be ok!
I am headed to Monterosso June and had a tough time getting a reservation. I called 12 places prior to getting a reservation. I would like twice about going without reservations....
I also had a hard time getting a reservation, for any of the top places recommended on Trip Advisor... many were full (and we are going in September).
We were able to get a nice room for 90 euro per night, booking in advance.
We are visting CT in Sept and it took 5 emails before I found availability. I also took advantage of RS consulting service and they absolutely recommended reserving CT in advance.
While I think you will always find somewhere to stay on short notice, in order to get a room with a view or something special you should book a month+ in advance. We visited CT at the end of Sept and started looking for accommodations about 2 weeks in advance. We found all view rooms taken and settled for a decent room overlooking the main street in Vernazza. The recommendations on Trip Advisor seemed to be accurate regarding rooms with views.
I'm currently trying to arrange lodgings in the C.T. for September and having some difficulties (after several E-mails there are some possibilities but nothing definite yet). As you'll be travelling in May, I'd suggest getting something arranged as soon as possible! Good luck!
Try: www.elisabettacarro.it in Vernazza.
I'd book now. Why waste valuable time when you get to the CT trying to find a room? I'd rather have my lodging accounted for before I arrive so that I can maximize sightseeing time. We were there in Sept '09 & ran into a couple from our neck of the woods in CA and they had a terrible time finding somewhere to stay. They wasted several hours walking around with luggage in tow and finally took the train to a non-CT town to look for lodging there.
I stayed at the Cinqueterre Residence in 2005. It was in Riomaggiore. A lovely hotel that overlooked the town. Great staff too. [email protected]