Rooms are comfortable and clean, even if they're not the most stylish
In the center of La Spezia's historic district, so lots of restaurants nearby
All rooms have flat-screen TVs and hairdryers
Free breakfasts are excellent, with plenty of choice and great coffee
Bar serving coffee and cocktails, with adjacent seating
Excellent location for exploring Cinque Terre's towns
Train station and ferry stop are both short walks away
Computer in lobby free to use
Rooms and bathrooms are both on the small side
Only some of the rooms have air-conditioning
No Wi-Fi in the rooms (though free in common areas)
Rooms lack mini-fridges
No elevator on-site
Free parking in front of the hotel gets filled up quickly
Water flow from the showers can be a little erratic
Hotel Birillo is excellent value for travelers who want a a budget-friendly base to explore Cinque Terre. Although it doesn't offer a lot of frills, what it does offer punches above its two-pearl rating. The 16 rooms are small (and there's no elevator), but they're comfortable and clean. Free breakfast is a generous, well-reviewed continental spread, with organic ingredients used whenever possible. It's also ideally situated for onward travel: The train station and ferry are both 10 minutes away on foot. However, a car or train journey is required to get to Riomaggiore, the closest Cinque Terre town. Guests who want to be a bit more in the action could check out the Mar-Mar Hotel in Riomaggiore, which offers great views and kitchenette-equipped units, though there's no Wi-Fi.
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Scene
Well-appointed budget-friendly spot popular with couples
Hotel Birillo is a no-frills but comfortable hotel that's a good low-cost alternative to pricier stays in the Cinque Terre towns. Guests who stay here typically use it as a base for further hiking and exploration of Riomaggiore and the other Cinque Terre villages; they also tend to be younger couples. The staff receives praise for advice and recommendations, and for a small, value hotel, the lobby is surprisingly stylish -- think modern wicker furniture and a basket chair in whites and grays. There's also a gorgeous back garden with lemon trees and shade from a large tent.
Location
Close to restaurants and bars, plus easy access to Riomaggiore, the nearest Cinque Terre town
The hotel is located in the historic center of La Spezia, where there are a number of restaurants and bars. Osteria da Bartali, which is great for Italian food, is across the district, about a 12-minute walk away. The Castle of San Giorgio, which offers sculpture exhibits and great views over the town, is a 10-minute walk away. The train station and ferry are both a 10-minute walk away, which makes onward travel easy. Riomaggiore, the closest of the Cinque Terre towns, is about 20 minutes away by train. Genoa airport is about an hour and 10 to an hour and 40 minutes away by public transit, depending on the route.
Rooms
Rooms have limited amenities, but are comfortable and clean.
Each room is individually decorated and modern, though not super-stylish. There's a definite IKEA vibe to them, as most are white with pops of a neutral or bright color. Although the rooms are no-frills and on the small side, the beds are comfortable and everything is well-maintained. Some rooms have unfurnished balconies that look out onto the street, though, true to form for an Italian city, it can be a bit noisy at night. Guests should know that not all of the rooms have air-conditioning, and, like many other hotels in Italy, some double beds are actually made up of two singles pushed together. Bathrooms vary in decor: some are quite dated looking, while others have trendy mosaic-like tiles. They're generally very small, with a hairdryer and enough room for a toilet, small sink, bidet in some, and compact shower. Some guests have complained about the cramped shower and its flow being a bit erratic. Small LCD TVs are in each room, but mini-fridges are not provided. Be aware that the hotel might not be a great fit for those with mobility issues because rooms are spread across two floors and there's no lift.
Features
Low on frills, but great free breakfast
The hotel, while low on frills, does a great job of working with what it does have. Its included breakfast buffet punches above its budget rating, with sweet and savory continental options like cakes, pastries, cheeses, and meats. The dining space off the lobby is attractive, with pebble flooring, an arched-brick accent, and red and white decor. The free coffee is really good, too, even though it comes from a machine -- and it's especially nice to have in the hotel's small but lovely back garden. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, though it it can be a bit spotty (there's an internet-equipped computer guests can use in the lobby if it's acting up). Free parking is available at the front of the property, however, it gets filled up fast, so guests might have to pay a small fee to park in public lot around the corner.
