Loc. Colle di Gritta, Monterosso al Mare, Italy | (586) 210-9239
Hilltop location with beautiful mountain view
Easy access to Cinque Terre trails
Fun, homey decor throughout
Restaurant serves local dishes and wines
Rooms with punchy, colorful decor and flat-screen TVs; some with sea views
Free continental breakfast
Free on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi in common areas
Pet friendly (fees apply)
Traveling to and from town requires a car or shuttle ride
Rooms lack air-conditioning and Wi-Fi
Guest complain room walls are thin
Quirky decor not to everyone's taste
Located about 15 minutes by car up the hill from the center of Monterosso al Mare's old town, the budget Hotel Monterosso Alto has a great view of the mountains. The decor is a pastiche of flea market finds and quirky color choices reflecting a homey, personalized vibe that feels like a B&B. Each of the eight guest rooms has a bold signature color, and some have ocean views, but they lack air-conditioning and in-room Wi-Fi. For those who want to visit the town's beach or historic sites, the Hotel Monterosso Alto offers a regular shuttle. By comparison, the Camere Monterosso is cheaper and closer to town, but has more traditional decor.
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Scene
A quirky and homey Monterosso villa
Plenty about the Hotel Monterosso Alto sets it apart from the traditional accommodations in the village. The hotel appears more like a large house with flowers and plants growing on parts of the patio, roof and gutters. And the view from the patio and some of the rooms allows guests to see the mountains or the sea. Inside, the lobby and restaurant are one large room with decor that's both homey and idiosyncratic. The restaurant tables are lined with green, patterned tablecloths. Ceiling fixtures have metallic branches extending from them. Part of a fish skeleton hangs over the fireplace. Throughout the room, bottles of wine are stored in cases and cubbies. For a guest looking for something unusual, it's fun and offbeat. But tourists expecting more typical accommodations may not find it welcoming.
Location
Up near the mountains, far from the city
Given that local laws limit the amount of traffic in Monterosso al Mare, the free parking at this hotel is a plus for anyone driving through Cinque Terre. Tourists who travel to the "Riviera of the East" by train will need to arrange a ride up the hill from the village, either on the hotel-operated shuttle or by taxi. A bus trip from the train station will take about 20 minutes. The location is secluded, and there's little in the way of dining or shopping in walking distance. Getting from the hotel to town, a 10-minute drive, will also require some coordination since some guests report that the timeliness of the hotel shuttle isn't always reliable.
Rooms
A little paint makes forgettable rooms fun
While most of the furniture in the Hotel Monterosso Alto guest rooms is only slightly better what's found in a starter apartment, the designer's clever use of paint makes the accommodations cuter than most. The Double Room with Purple has a big wine-colored accent wall over the double bed. And the Double Room with Blue is similar, but with a cobalt-blue accent wall. All have flat-screen TVs bordered in the rooms' signature color. Bathrooms are compact with the shower stall, like many European ones, just big enough to get in. Some guests complain that the walls between the rooms are thin and, without air-conditioning, can get very hot. And Wi-Fi can only be found in common areas.
Features
Free breakfast and shuttle to town
Ristorante Albergo, the hotel restaurant, is known for its regional cuisine and numerous local wine varietals. The hotel's free continental breakfast includes fruit, cereal, and cold meats. The shuttle to and from town can be arranged through the front desk. On the patio, guests can take in the mountain view or play a game of foosball. Anyone traveling with a pet will be happy to know they're allowed on request, though extra fees apply. Wi-Fi is free, but only available in the common areas, and parking is free as well.
