Via Buranco 36, Monterosso al Mare, Italy | (586) 210-9239
Centrally located in old town Monterosso al Mare
Within walking distance of train station and beach
Beautiful garden terrace with views of the water
Rooms with flatscreen TVs, some with balconies and sea views
Continental breakfast including a selection of cold meats and pastries
On-site restaurant serving rustic Italian food
Free in-room Wi-Fi
Beach towels available
Pets allowed
Difficult to access by car
Rooms on lower floors may get street noise
Breakfast not included in most room rates
No business or fitness center
Located in the heart of Monterosso al Mare's old town, the 39-room, mid-range hotel Albergo Degli Amici is within a five-minute walk of the bay and a 11-minute stroll to the train station. A large portion of visitors arrive by rail, since car traffic is limited in Monterosso al Mare, the western-most Cinque Terre town. The rooms at Albergo Degli Amici are comfortable, minimal, and a little weathered, but they include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and some have amazing views from balconies. The view from the hotel's garden terrace includes lemon trees, sloping rooftops, and the waterfront. By comparison, the nearby Affittacamere Lo Scoglio is in a similar price range, with more modern rooms, but no breakfast or free Wi-Fi.
Scene
A secluded stop in old town Monterosso al Mare
Centrally located in old town Monterosso, Albergo Degli Amici has an exterior that blends into the Italian village architecture with its canary-yellow walls and green shutters that echo the colors of lemon trees. A stone arch and iron bannister frame the entryway. Inside, the lobby has patterned marble floors, white walls and overstuffed cloth-covered couches to keep guests comfortable while waiting to check in or head out to the beach. The garden terrace is the highlight, with an impressive water view as well as sections for sunbathing, dining, and playing ping pong and foosball.
Location
Nicely situated by the rail station and the beach
The location of the Albergo Degli Amici is, for many guests, its greatest asset. Monterosso al Mare's beach area is one of the largest in Cinque Terre and the hotel is only a five-minute walk to it. For a village with traffic rules designed to limit the amount of cars in the old section, Albergo Degli Amici's location, only 11 minutes from the Monterosso rail station, is a big plus. For those traveling by air, the car ride from Genoa or Pisa airport will take about an hour and a half. Built in the Capuchin style, the convent of Monterosso al Mare, a five-minute walk away, is a notable attraction in town that houses artwork by Van Dyck and Luca Cambiaso. Within a four-minute walk of the hotel is the parish church of St. John the Baptist, which opened in the early 14th century and has a basilica-style layout and medieval bell tower. Numerous restaurants, bars and shops are also within walking distance.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with great views from the upper floors
Albergo Degli Amici's rooms are simple and comfortable with a few notable perks. They come in three standard sizes: Double Standard, Single Standard with Balcony, and Double Comfort. Some of the rooms have cloth headboards and others wood, but the balcony is what's worth a higher room rate. The desk and nightstands, while serviceable, can't compete with a view of a seaside Italian village. The flat-screen cable TVs and free Wi-Fi are also nice perks, although some guests report the WI-FI can be unreliable. Albergo Degli Amici's marble-finished bathrooms tend to be a bit small, even by European standards, and include narrow shower stalls, toiletries, and bidets.
Features
An exemplary terrace view and good food
A big reason to visit the Cinque Terre is to take in the seaside view, and the garden terrace at Albergo Degli Amici offers a wonderful respite with a full panorama. Guests can sunbathe next to lemon and olive trees and overlook the residences built into the rocky hillside, the bell tower of St. John the Baptist, and the gulf that leads to the sea. The hotel food is good traditional Italian fare. Each morning a reasonably-priced breakfast is offered with a menu of croissants, cereals, cheese, and cold meats.