Stay in CT

hey hey JE
what time of year, how many days, B&B, hotel, apartment, likes/dislikes, activities, mobility issues (stairs, steps, elevator), budget in euros? would help us give options for you to look at.
aloha

I’d be going in early to mid May. Three to four days. I’m open to B&B, hotel or apartment. Definitely like an outdoor space if possible. No mobility issues. I want something nice so budget isn’t a huge concern. Thanks.

See Rick's book-Vernazza...stayed at Gianni Franzi above the harbour-great terraces and breakfast
overlooking the ocean-lot's of steps but there will carry luggage up and down...and also stayed with
Giuliano Brusso-four rooms in a little compound with outdoor terrace a bunch of steps above town
with great view...Giuliano is in Rick's last Cinque Terre video...luved both places!

Stay in Monterosso at Hotel Porto Roca, up on a bluff above the beach with incredible sea views. Good dining too.

hey hey JE
viviani raffaella
la spaggia hotel
baia hotel
monterosso al mare 20
cinqueterre-travel.com has some accomodations in each village.
don't know what will happen with travels, look at cancellation options if need be. lots of people want to travel as soon as possible, can be a busy time of year. if you see what you like book it. you can also check booking.com and put your requirements in and see what you may like. have a fun time and enjoy your vacation. you can even take a train to lucca and walk around the walled city, train to pisa, walk the city then back to your hotel/apt. take a pesto making class, eat focaccia and sardines, what area is known for, wine tasting, boat tours, riding the train to each village and roaming around, people watch
aloha

We really loved La Toretta in Manarola.

http://www.torrettas.com

We had a room with full sea view and a terrace with bougainvillea spilling down the side. They brought us breakfast on a tray each morning to enjoy on the terrace. My husband described it as "the best hotel in the world."

I see the room we had ( deluxe) is now upmto 450 euros, about 60% more than we paid in 2010. But that is still almost 100 euros less per night than a sea view room at Porto Rock, recommended above. But no swimming pool at La Torretta.

A major benefit was the host made dinner reservations for us at the top recommended restaurants in Manarola, and we were well-treated there.

It may come down to where you want to stay for your base in CT. We really liked Manarola, a small village surrounded by vineyards, with no cars in the town itself. Less crowded with day visitors than Vernazza. And it has great swimming in the sea, which we enjoyed seversl times. ( No need for a swimming pool).

I cannot compare it to Monterossa, as we did not stay there. But if we were to go back, we would return to Manarola.

JE,

My suggestion would be to stay in Monterosso, as it's the largest of the five towns and therefore has the greatest number of hotels, restaurants and other amenities.

Have a look at Hotel Villa Steno or Hotel Pasquale, as both are excellent.

Of course it's impossible to predict which places will be back to normal by that time and which may be closed for a longer period. Hopefully the picture will clarify early in the new year.

I stayed with my family and friends at a lovely place in Monterosso--Hotel Stella della Marina in the older part of town. This is a family owned hotel run by Gabriele and it was one of my favorite places we stayed on the trip. We booked this when all the hotels that Rick recommended were sold out in late May. I am glad we did. The rooms are not fancy, but they have a lovely rooftop deck that overlooks the town and the sea. The breakfasts are amazing.

The best thing about the hotel, however, is Gabriele. I received 5 star service, from him taking out suitcases up stairs (no elevator) to making reservations, to giving us great insights for hiking, and more. He even helped us on some tricky transport rearranging. We were in the Cinque Terre for only a couple of days and he helped make that time magical.

Sandy

I appreciate all of the input. Thanks.

I thought this discussion was going to be about Connecticut. Clearly, I've been home too long. ;)

Wray, you stole my thunder.

I had a really nice time at a lecture at Yale some many decades ago, I was going to say New Haven. They had a railroad too.

Besides Connecticut, CT is also the official abbreviation of the province of Catania (Sicily), so I would spell out Cinque Terre entirely unless you want suggestions for a place under the shadow of Mount Etna.

I would look into Monterosso for the most ample choice of accommodations. Check any website like Booking and see what you can find.

Wray, I thought the same thing when I saw ‘CT!’ it’s the New Englander in us and apparently Nigel has some as well :)

I thought this discussion was going to be about Connecticut

I thought they were ordering the all forum to stay in Sicily! An offer one can't refuse...

Besides my personal opinion that the Cinque Terre area is overrated, overcrowded and (unbelievably) overboring, I agree with Roberto about staying in Monterosso.

Here is a vote for Gianni Franzi in Vernazza. Yes its a hike up the stairs to your room, but if you're fit enough for that, the reward is sea views that go on forever. https://www.giannifranzi.it/

Everyone has their favourite terra. For us, Monterosso is the least desirable (cars, noise, pebbly beach). Vernazza and Corniglia were our favourites, but they are opposites (Vernazza on the water, Corniglia on the hill). Manarola and Riomaggiore look beautiful, but I can't say much about them from personal experience.

We stayed at an Airbnb in Monterosso. This was the middle section of our Italian trip and we wanted to place to spread out, chill out and do our laundry. The apartment was within walking distance of everything. There was a small but private garden and even a visiting cat. We shopped locally and cooked in the evenings. After four days, we were rested, ready to travel and had plenty of clean clothes. It was delightful.

Look for Rick's travel talk on northern Italy on his website or Youtube. I found his talk more interesting than his episodes, which shouldn't be surprising I guess since he told Rudy Maxa recently that is how he got his start. His section on CT is very complete and informative, showing and listing the pros and cons of each village/town. He also freely admits that he has ruined the CT for most tourists.

And as a native New Englander I also thought Connecticut when I saw CT.

Another vote for La Spiaggia in Monterosso. Family owned, easy walk from the train station, sea views (book a room on the water side), elevator, great staff. Some of our friends have stayed there as well and all of us give it a big thumb up. Rooms are small and plainly furnished but clean and plenty comfortable enough.

I can't say enough about Locanda IL Maestrale. It is in old town Monterosso. Outdoor patio, wonderful owners, Giovanni and Stefania, close to restaurants, small shops, and main piazza. We there 4 times and are definitely going to stay again when we go back to Italy. We had reservations there for this May 2021 but had to cancel.

https://locandamaestrale.net/?lang=en