Hotel 5 Terre

Hotel 5 Terre’s interiors are undeniably dated, but this family-run hotel still still has some charms, as rooms and common areas are well-maintained. The lobby features light-wood decor and behind the front desk are postcards plastered on the wall and vintage room keys hanging from hooks. There's rattan sofa seating in the lobby bar, where stone walls create a quaint retro vibe, and elevator service is provided to all floors. Outside, hedges surround the hotel and there's a lovely courtyard with a fountain. Another courtyard and sun terrace offer more seating, so the hotel hardly ever feels crowded. Unlike many Cinque Terre hotels that are geared toward couples, this property offers rooms with multiple beds and sea-level streets that are large enough for families with children. 

The street in front of the hotel is narrow, with cars parked on one side and a fair amount of pedestrian traffic. It’s a quick and level walk to the seafront restaurants, cafes, and shops. The beach is a two-minute walk from the hotel, with chairs, umbrellas, and pedal boats for rent. Unlike most properties, this hotel has a private -- and free -- parking lot. It’s a five-minute walk to the Monterosso train station (and yet another beach), and 10 minutes on foot to the Convento dei Cappuccini e Chiesa di San Francesco in Monterosso's old town. Ferries go to the four other Cinque Terre villages -- Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore -- or it’s 20 minutes to one hour by train depending on the destination. Alternatively, the area's walking paths are famous and walks from town to town usually take just over an hour. Expect a 90-minute drive to Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport.

Old-fashioned decor and homey bedspreads create a dated look in rooms, but they are clean and well-kept. Rooms feature tile floors, old-school basic furniture, and a blend of Pop Art-inspired prints and more traditional landscape works on cream walls. Standard features include small, mounted flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and safes in wardrobes. While rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans, they often can’t compete with the heat in Monterosso. Juliet or narrow balconies overlook the courtyard, streets, or offer partial sea views. Triple and Quadruple rooms are geared toward groups and families, with three or four beds in one large room. Small green-tiled bathrooms have showers, bidets, hairdryers, and heated towel racks. 

Doilies and teacups are set on pink tablecloths in the charming and spacious dining room, where a free breakfast is served and large windows face the courtyard. The spread consists mostly of continental fare plus fruits and boiled eggs and gets generally solid marks from guests. There are two courtyards on the property and a sundeck, offering guests ample outdoor lounge space. Seating is also available in the lobby bar, which has a flat-screen TV. An old-fashioned game room offers a cozy TV lounge, dining area, books, and a computer corner. Unlike most properties in Monterosso, Hotel 5 Terre has its own gravel parking lot, which guests can use for free. The hotel can arrange excursions, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.