Park Hotel Argento

Park Hotel Argento opened in 2009, offering travelers an out-of-city-center, hillside option on the Ligurian coast with great views. The hotel's location -- close to the airport and the beach, but a drive away from the hustle and bustle of the main villages -- attracts mostly families and couples looking for an extra dose of privacy and relaxation. This is an excellent option for anyone looking to experience a bit of local Ligurian village life, with the addition of creature comforts and superb service. The property was designed to reflect the laid-back vibe and artistic spirit of the area: The architecture, layout, and use of typical region colors help to create a village-like atmosphere and look, while seasonal art shows and murals, painted by a different set of artists each year, introduce guests to local creativity. The high ceilings and spacious green areas help to give an open, breathable vibe to the guests, even if the hotel is fully booked. 

Park Hotel Argento is located in a slightly secluded hillside area overlooking the village of Levanto. It's not an ideal place to stay if you are looking to explore on foot, due to the hilly setting and 10-minute walk to and from town. However, there is a bus stop an eight-minute walk down the hill that can take guests into town and stops at the beach (otherwise the beach is a 20-minute walk). The Levanto train station is an 11-minute walk from the hotel, while both Genoa and Pisa Airports are between 60 to 90 minutes' drive away. While the train is the easiest way to get to Cinque Terre, travelers can also take a ferry. - 15 minutes by bus or 20 minutes on foot to Levanto beach

• 15 minutes by train (or 38 minutes by ferry) to Monterosso station
• 20 minutes by train to Vernazza station
• 25 minutes by train to Corniglia station
• 28 minutes by train to Manarola station
• 31 minutes by train to Riomaggiore station
• 40 minutes by train to La Spezia's main station (where you can catch trains onward to big cities like Pisa and Florence)
• One hour and 40 minutes by ferry to Portovenere

Rooms are spacious and clean, with simple, contemporary decor that's a bit plain. Beige tile floors are topped with wood and tan-leather furniture, while walls are beige and linens are either solid or patterned in neutral tones. Some higher-category rooms add vibrant pops of red in bedding and patterned rugs. All rooms are comfy and well-soundproofed, plus outfitted with large wardrobes, desks, 26-inch smart TVs, chaise lounges, and dining sets. King beds are two twins pushed together. Guests can also expect AC, minibars stocked to the brim with international snacks and drinks, small digital safes, satellite channels, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and a decent array of toiletries. Upgrades from standard Double Rooms will add a large, semi-private tiled balcony with a metal table and chairs set, plus possible views over the hillside or partial sea views. Suites have a large, separate living room with two sofa beds, another TV, and huge terrace with a table and chairs set and two loungers. All bathrooms are equipped with bidets, heated towel racks, glass shelves, and small shower stalls or bathtubs. During our visit, the hotel was working on finding a solution for single king-sized mattresses (rare in Italy) and larger showers. 

Park Hotel Argento's features run the expected gamut of a leisure-minded property. Guests particularly like the large-for-Italy outdoor pool perched on the hillside. The hotel's secluded location combines with the pool's rock wall and surrounding treetops to give an especially tranquil vibe, plus there are a decent amount of modern loungers and a handful of umbrellas. There's no drink service here, so guests have to go inside to the restaurant's bar for any snacks or drinks. The restaurant is a contemporary space where guests can order from a large menu of regional and international dishes for dinner. Breakfast is free and includes a wide selection of cold, hot, and cooked-to-order options; there is no lunch service, though snacks can be purchased at the bar.  A beautiful spa is set in a surprisingly big space, where guests can receive a treatment, relax with a view, or run through the hydrotherapy circuit of a Turkish bath, sauna, and collection of emotional showers. Unfortunately, the hotel lacks a gym.Family-friendly features include cots, extra beds, and highchairs on request, plus kids 2 and under stay free. Other freebies include Wi-Fi, shuttle bus service to and from the Levanto train station (until late at night), and outdoor parking. A meeting and event room is available and pets are allowed.