Cinqueterre Residence

Situated in the enchanting fishing village of Riomaggiore, the Cinqueterre Residence is tucked away from the sea and offers charming, modern interiors. The hotel's tiered terraces climb up the cliff and are adorned with stylish blue rattan furniture; there are also potted flowers and chili peppers, and lemon trees in well-maintained gardens. Partial sea views are available in certain areas, though the property mostly offers views of the picturesque town. Stairs lead throughout the hotel and down to the cobblestone streets that are lined with shops and cafes. Owners Carla and Pietro, and their son David, typically greet new guests with welcome drinks. The softly lit terraces with sunset vistas provide a romantic setting for guests, who are mostly couples. 

This hotel overlooks the valley of Riomaggiore, one of the five ancient fishing villages in Cinque Terre. Most guests arrive by ferry or train with a shuttle bus that stops a few hundred feet from the hotel. There’s a luggage lift so guests don’t have to carry their bags up the stairs. Guests with cars can park in the hotel’s private lot, a luxury in the area. The hotel is within walking distance of a small shingle beach and there are plenty of hiking trails in the area, including the seaside Via dell'Amore route, which leads to the next town of Manarola. Guests can hike to all of the villages, or quickly and easily commute by train. Monterosso, which is about 25 minutes by train, offers sandy beaches. The Pisa International Airport is one hour and 20 minutes by car and Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport is a two-hour drive. 

Rooms have dark stone tile floors and pleasant interior design schemes. Some rooms have pastel floral bedspreads and rattan furniture, and others feature modern leather headboards and chairs. Candies left on nightstands are a sweet touch. Unique design details -- such as stained glass and butterfly lamps -- add character to rooms. Bistro tables are set outside in shared patio areas. By Italian standards, rooms are large, and bathrooms -- which have glass showers, bidets, hairdryers, and whirlpool tubs in some -- are spacious. Two suites feature kitchenettes with stovetops, mini-fridges, and dining tables. Some rooms also have lofts. All rooms offer flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. 

Travelers venture to the Cinque Terre for the vistas, and while the Cinqueterre Residence doesn’t directly face the sea, the views from its three terraces don’t disappoint. A large hot tub and dining tables are on the terraces. More seating can be found in the breakfast lounge, where a free continental spread is served in the mornings and includes croissants, fruit, and cappuccinos adorned with chocolate smiley faces. Bar service is also available and Wi-Fi can be accessed throughout the property, although it sometimes runs slow. The hotel’s private parking lot -- although small -- is a definite perk.