Hotel Arabesque

Marked off the square by a large palm tree and cafe sign, the property's unique and colorful decor is hard to miss. Giving its name proper kudos, Hotel Arabesque's interior design borrows greatly from Moorish architecture; decorative onion dome doorways, molding accents, and beautiful arabesque tiled floors give visitors an upbeat welcome in the reception area. Hypnotizing floor patterns and dome accents are also found in the sitting room and on-site restaurant. Hallways offer checkered tile floors and ornate light fixtures along with classic wicker furniture. The occasional presence of fresh flowers or non-traditional wall additions such as cloth maps or wooden peacock fans give the Arabesque that extra special touch. The result is an exotic vibe that feels miles away.The beach can be reached just outside the backdoor through an alley between two buildings. Once there, guests have their pick of sunbathing in the sand, walking out onto a concrete dock, or climbing over large rocks to reach the sea. There’s also a lush and rocky barbecue area with kumquat trees and a table for two.

With its back on the sands of the Italian Riviera's scenic Ligurian coast, directly off the town's pedestrian-only square, Hotel Arabesque has a quiet vibe mostly devoid of car engines and horns. Located in Varigotti, a midway point between Genoa to the north and Sanremo to the south, the Arabesque is an ideal point for exploring other locales along the Riviera. Levanto, an access point to Cinque Terre, is about a 2-hour drive away, while the picturesque harbors of Portofino can be reached in about an hour and a half. There’s a local bus that takes trips to the train station of Finale Liguria every 20 minutes (or it's an eight-minute drive), or you can reach Genoa's main rail in about 20 minutes by car. If you favor bikes over beaches, the area of Finale Liguria is known for several mountain bike trails.

The Arabesque's 13 spacious and contemporary rooms are reflective of the hotel's general Moorish decor, with features like mosque-shaped doorways and onion bulb mirrors. The light blue and white color scheme creates a breezy vibe, while the black and white tiled floors give the spaces an upbeat, zany feel. Furniture is modern and stylish, and high ceilings make the rooms feel extra spacious. (Note that like the nearby Hotel Miramare, these rooms do not have air-conditioning but come with large ceiling fans.) Terraces hold on to that checkered floor and feel large enough to throw a party on. Some rooms even have two separate terraces with sea views. Bathrooms are sleek, tiled, and clean, although probably not suitable for more than one person at a time; units include a bidet and standup shower.

The property's most notable feature is its location directly on the beach, just feet from the sea. Clear turquoise waters are offset by large rocks and a cement dock complete with decorative anchor. The Arabesque has furnished the immediate beach behind the hotel with seating for dining and lounging. The hotel's restaurant and bar are located just off the main square in the center of town and are open to the public. However, guests receive a discount off menu items and a free, basic continental breakfast consisting of pastries and cereal, coffee or tea, and juice. If you want anything more than that, you must order from the menu and pay extra.While there’s free Wi-Fi at the Arabesque, it is not offered by the hotel itself but rather via public access Internet from the square. This means not all areas of the hotel may receive the signal. Because the Arabesque is set within a pedestrian-only area, there is limited car access and therefore limited parking, available for a fee.