La Colonnina Hotel

Set among some of the oldest buildings in the city, including the peach-painted Town Hall, La Colonnina blends into its surroundings and embraces classic Italian motifs. The exterior walls are covered in ivy, and floors are finished with brown and gray marble. Much of the furniture, from the reception desk to the headboards, is made from a dark wood and recalls the decor of an Italian villa's drawing room. Occasionally the decor can feel a little frumpy, as with the blue damask tablecloths in the breakfast room or the slipcovered armchairs, but most of the spaces are charming, especially the garden with wrought-iron cafe tables and the roof-deck terrace overlooking the boats and sunbathers that line the edge of the Ligurian Sea.

La Colonnina Hotel prides itself on being in a secluded spot, just off of Monterosso al Mare's town square. It's so secluded, travelers have a hard time finding it at first. Even those who know the address must search for a side street tucked between a souvenir shop and a pizza stand, then go up a flight up steps. Once at the La Colonnina Hotel, the beach is only a five-minute walk away. And restaurants, shops, and other hotels are all in walking distance. Travelers arriving by train will need to walk to the hotel about 11 minutes from the station. Anyone flying into Pisa or Genoa airport must drive an hour and a half to Monterosso al Mare.

The 21 rooms at La Colonnina Hotel range from a Standard Double Room with few frills to a Family Room with a sofa that converts into a bed. Even in that range there are many more options in terms of style and views, such as a Double Room with Terrace and a View on the Village or a New Style Double Room with Terrace and View on Village. But in general, travelers should aim to book a "New Style" or redesigned room, as the finishes make it worth the extra expense. Older rooms have '80s-style patterned bedspreads and emerald-green wood furniture. Remodeled rooms tend to have cream-colored bedding topped with velvet cushions, slipcovered armchairs, and antique-style furnishings. The mattresses in most of the rooms are comfortable, but firm. Free Wi-Fi, safes, and flat-screen TVs are standard. And all rooms have marble bathrooms outfitted with hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, bidets, toiletries, and shower stalls.

The view from La Colonnina Hotel's rooftop terrace could easily be made into a large-canvas landscape painting with a panorama that includes rooftops, church towers, and the rolling sea. A few flights below, the breakfast room serves up continental fare each morning, including fruit, cereal, cold meats, and plenty of Italian cakes. However, there's no full restaurant for other meals. Business travelers may be disappointed by the lack of a business center, but they can always take a meeting while sunbathing on the roof.