Rapallo, Santa Margherita, or Santa Levante?

I think you might mean Sestri Levante? I spent a week in Rapallo a few years ago and visited all 3 towns. Loved Santa Margherita, really liked Rapallo, thought Sestri Levante was nice enough. This of course is all subjective to taste but Santa Margherita Ligure seemed to have more going on after a day of sightseeing than in other towns. I wrapped the CT and paths up in a couple of days and then just rode the trains in both directions, got off, looked around, ate, and usually ended up finishing the day in SML the rest of the week. There's a boat to Portofino too if it's on your list. Wasn't on mine but I had some time to kill and everything except Gatlinburg was worth seeing once. Have a good trip!

Thank you Leslie, yes I did mean Sestri Levante and I am grateful for your in put. Now I believe it is down to either Rapallo or Santa Margherita. Any suggestions on places to stay. Are the restaurants better in Santa Margherita than Rapallo, or night life in general.

I really like Moneglia, next to Sestri Levante. I spent quite a few weekends there when I was living in Italy. Moneglia is East of Sestri. You have to go through a long and narrow road tunnel (or by train) to reach it from Sestri. It's a town in an isolated little bay (only a tunnel connects it to "civilization") and smaller than the towns you mentioned. Somehow I always enjoyed it. Consider it.

My vote would go to Santa Margherita Ligure. Nice town. Easy to train hop to CT or the other direction and easy short boat trip to Portofino. Happy travels. Devra

I was tagging along with my sister who was at a conference at the Excelsior Palace in Rapallo so it was a free place to stay for me. It's a 5 star but depending what time of year you go, it can be a bargain. I had the benefit of my sister's co-workers who are from the area telling me where to go and as Roberto suggested, they also recommended Moneglia. Roberto seems to be an expert on this area so I'd trust anything you read from him. I was there when it was still a little cold out so Moneglia was somewhat quiet but I understand it is great in the warm weather. SML seemed to have a lot more restaurants than Rapallo and more hotels and later hours. I spent a couple of hours scouting hotels there with my sister's colleague for a future conference and there were many great places on the harbor. To be honest, I was by myself most of the time so most of my meals consisted of beer and the heavy snacks of chips and olives they serve with it in harbor cafes. I had a couple of great dinners in places right on the harbor of both towns that were suggested by my sister's co-workers but I can't remember the names. If I can help with anything else, let me know. Good luck!