Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
€
-
€€€
(Via
Malborghetto, 4;
%
0187-920932; www.5terre-marmar.com),
not least because
there is a friendly, intelligent, and very helpful English voice on the other end of
the line (ex-Californian Amy joined in 2003 as an office assistant, and is now a
partner). E-mail your requirements (sea view and/or balcony, one or two bed-
rooms, equipped kitchen or kitchenette, dining room, and so on) and the
response—often accompanied by photographs—comes with clear, truthful
descriptions of what's available. Dorm rooms cost between
€
15 and
€
20 per per-
son (there's 24-hr. access); rooms with private bathrooms
The most efficient and helpful outfit by far is
Mar Mar
5
€
€
80; and pri-
vately owned apartments
€
65 to
€
90. Apartments sleeping four to six people can
cost up to
60 to
€
120. Mar Mar also acts as an informal tourist bureau, arranging
twice-weekly wine tastings and kayak rentals, and even assists with laundry.
€€
-
€€€
If you'd prefer to have more hotel-like facilities, with breakfast
thrown in, I have two recommendations. Both properties are situated a little way
above the village center (out of earshot from the train but a bit of a schlep if you're
burdened with heavy luggage).
Locanda Cinque Terre
55
(Via de Batté, 67F;
%
0187-760538; www.cinqueterreresidence.it)
is the more modern complex (a
rather good re-interpretation of the slim historic buildings in the heart of
Riomaggiore). It is well maintained and outfitted with modern conveniences, and
some units open onto small terraces. It doesn't have the views of Villa Argentina
(below), but Locanda Cinque Terre offers excellent value and a more personal feel,
with hands-on owners at your beck and call.
€€
-
€€€
A stone's throw from Locanda Cinque Terre is the stalwart
Villa
5
(Via A De Gasperi, 170;
%
0187-920213),
a small hotel with a slight
Argentina
Accommodations Tip
Levanto
and
Bonnasola
are neighboring towns on the western outskirts
of the park and a smart option if you want to get away from it all in high
season; both are well connected by train and boat to the five villages.
Levanto is larger, with a hard-working tourist bureau and a wide selection
of hotels and restaurants, most of which offer better value than nearby
Monterosso. But in the beauty stakes the hands-down winner is the tran-
quil seaside village of Bonnasola, where
Villa Belvedere
(Via Ammiraglio
Serra, 3;
%
0187-813622; www.bonassolahotelvillabelvedere.com)
is a
real find. A double suite with balcony and sea view will run you
€
95;
€
130 for half-board during August. Arrange for a free shuttle to pick you
up from the train station. The Villa owners also have the best-located
restaurant in the Cinque Terre,
L'Antica Guetta
(Via Marconi, 1;
%
0187-
813797),
which is right on the beach. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes,
and plan a lazy afternoon soaking up the sun. L'Antica Guetta is worth the
10- to 20-minute train trip from any of the villages.
