Grand Hotel Portovenere

While this is a simple hotel at its core -- there's not much beyond it's 54 rooms and some space to eat and drink -- everything is wrapped in a stylish little package. Housed in a 17th-century former Franciscan convent commanding gorgeous views of Portovenere's harbor, this boutique property manages to effectively blend classic and modern styles. From the outside, the hotel is a picture of Italian charm: Its pink exterior sits on a brick foundation with arched windows and green shutters. Inside, furniture has clean lines and details like contrasting piping, while backlit wall panels add a contemporary touch to the bright spaces. The upscale ambience and calm waterfront scenery provides a serene vacation with a good deal of romance, and not surprisingly guests are mostly couples.

The hotel sits on the Ligurian coast, just beyond the southern end of the Cinque Terre National Park. The hotel is within central Portovenere and overlooks the town's harbor. Down on the water, kayak rentals and boat excursions to the Cinque Terre are available. It's just a two-minute walk to the quaint pedestrian heart of the village, where there are shops and restaurants, and the Church of Saint Lawrence is just a few minutes past this. The Church of St. Peter, at the tip of the peninsula on which Portovenere sits, will take about 10 minutes to reach on foot. Guests of the hotel also have access to the private Sporting Beach, a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The town of La Spezia is a 20-minute drive from the hotel and La Spezia Centrale -- the closest train station -- is located there. It will take about 30 minutes to drive to the closest Cinque Terre town, Riomaggiore. The drive to the Pisa International Airport takes a bit under 90 minutes, while the Genoa airport -- in the other direction -- will take just over 90 minutes to reach.

In a region where outdated historic properties are the name of the game, the fresh and bright rooms at this hotel are a welcome option. These rooms manage to blend contemporary and classic looks in a seamless fashion that feels upmarket, much like the rest of the hotel. It's all helped by large windows that open inward to provide courtyard or harbor views. The most basic options are the Double Classic rooms, followed by the Double Executive Rooms, which have sitting areas by windows. Deluxe Rooms have two sets of windows with sea views, while Junior Suites offer large terraces. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with flat-screen TVs, safes, and minibars. Marble-tile bathrooms offer bidets, heated towel racks, hairdryers, and fluffy bathrobes. Some rooms have jetted tubs.

Like many hotels in Portovenere and the Cinque Terre region, the facilities here are limited. However, the hotel's terrace restaurant -- Palmaria -- is lovely and has gorgeous sea views along with menus that can be adjusted for dietary restrictions. Breakfast is also served, but it's not included in all rates. The buffet includes pastries, meats, and cheeses, as well as proper espresso drinks. Adult beverages are available at the the Venus Bar inside. There is no gym, but the hotel has an agreement with the Portovenere Wellness Center, which offers spa treatments, a hot tub, a sauna, and a small fitness center with a few cardio machines and free weights. Unusual for a hotel in Portovenere, parking is available to guests in a small garage, for a fee. However, the entrance can be challenging to find. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel, but sometimes service can be spotty.