Reservations in Cinque Terre

If it is reputable hotel the act of sending a deposit wouldn't bother me. However it could be costly to send a wire transfer. I would not send cash or signed travelers checks (the equivalent of cash) through the mail. If you're not comfortable with giving a deposit there are plenty of other accommodations in the Cinque Terre.

I recently returned from the Cinque Terre. I would find another hotel. Many will require a credit card for the reservation and then cash payment on arrival. I wouldn't send cash, travelers checks or bank transfer at all.

We stayed at Albergo Barbara right in the main square of Vernazza. We set the reservations by email - held with a credit card and paid with cash on the day we checked out. I never had a situation in the small hotels in italy ask for a cash deposit.

My experience in CT was to look at any room you plan to rent before you agree to it.

The rooms differ so much and the rental rates don't always reflect the suitability of the room. CT is different than any place I have ever visited. Your description makes me nervous too.

I went without a reservation and looked at 5 apartments and 4 rooms before choosing one. If I were you I would wait until you get there to select a room.

I thank you all for your replies. The hotel is La Colonnia in Monterosso la Mare which comes very highly recommended in Trip Advisor. Also, I will be there in two weeks and many of the hotels are booked.

That's probably why they are asking for payment now...it's very close to your arrival time. Just like establishments here in the states, the closer you are to arrival, the more down they want. Weeks before and they want full payment. This is there very busy time and I guess they don't want to hold it and then not have you arrive. If they are getting good reviews, I would just send them the money and you'll be all set. We paid for our Rome hotel ahead (in order to recieve a disc.) and it worked out just fine. I wouldn't worry! Besides, at this late a date, you really don't have a choice.

Given the short time frame and the fact that most Hotels are already booked, I'd suggest sending the funds as soon as possible (especially as the Hotel was highly recommended on Trip Advisor).

In my experience, this approach is not that unusual in Europe. I've had to send funds over on a couple of occasions. In one case (B&B in Siena), I sent a personal cheque drawn on my Canadian account for the deposit. When I paid the bill in cash at the end of my stay, the cheque was returned to me.

Given that time is so short, you might have to use something like a wire transfer, as your payment might not arrive in time if you send by mail.

Good luck!

I, too, had to send a bank transfer for a B&B, but it was in Venice. My only problem was with the fee the bank charged me!

At least with the bank transfer, you have proof that they received it. Not so with cash.I have never used traveler's checks.