Cinqueterre Holidays

This review has 2 parts. First the accommodation itself is an apartment / condo complex in the town owned by caring and proud people that love their units. Well furnished and very clean. The premises were as represented, gave good value and was comparable to the type of accommodation offered in the town where rooms are scarce and the locals most hospitable. For the value/price and location A++. The accommodation is run by a broker who operates under different trade names including hostels. This is not a hotel or B and B. We were greeted by an individual that was not a 'people person' and not suited to the hospitality trade. The young lads hired to show us the accommodation had a little fun with "newbies" and walked us up a steep flight of stairs with luggage I am guessing to see if we could make it. We did but it was no short cut! There was an easier route which we used thereafter. You need to be in shape to visit this town and do NOT carry a lot of heavy luggage! That said the area is deserving of the UNESCO status and a Must See. We noted that the office on main street closed at 7 and later arriving visitors were ignored and hung up on when they appealed for assistance. This was a individual who wanted to accommodate no guests beyond the minimum. The name of Cinque Terra Holidays sadly brings no good will to the town or the Expedia Service and while our transaction was 'letter perfect" other visitors we met were rightfully displeased and were not served.

We loved our room! It was a bit of a hike getting there, but what in Riomaggiore isn't? The staff was so friendly, and kept joking with us about the climb to the room. Once we got in the room, it was wonderful! It had a lot of character. It was a little on the small side, but it didn't really matter. It would be hard to stay there for more than 1 or 2 nights, because there is no place to unpack your stuff. This wasn't a problem for us though, because we were just there for the night with a backpack between the pair of us. Beds were soft, sheets clean, and there were plenty of clean towels. I highly recommend this hotel to any one who wants to stay there!

While this is probably a 1 star accommodation by North American standards it was a 5 star experience for us. This quaint little town was a delight to my wife and I who went seeking an adventure. Everything is very functional in what is intended to be a longer stay apartment. It has a kitchen, fridge and the like if this is what you want to do. While the decor is medieval (70's) everything is clean as can be and you realize that for most people in this struggling fishing village these are nice accommodations. You even feel charitable knowing that your dollars are helping out the community as this is only source of income. There is no air conditioning so you must be prepared for a very active night life. We listened romantically to a thunder storm as it passed through at Midnight and then the town came alive again once it passed. It was simply worth staying up for. If you need to sleep bring ear plugs and relax to the thrum of people loving life. While we stayed in mostly 4 start hotels during our visit to Italy this was the most romantic and memorable of any other place...go figure! The restaurant across from this spot is superb as I am sure most are in the area. Parking is a separate charge at a facility near the top of the hill. Do some stairmaster workouts before you come, the village in on the side of a very steep mountain....amazing.

I can only speak to the hilltop house, I guess there is another in town, but we ran into someone that didn't like that room and was trying to change. I think that you may not get to choose if the other is full. So register only if: -You are OK with walking up a couple hundred stairs with your luggage (hey, you're in Cinque Terrae to walk after all, right?) -You would enjoy staying in a house, where you have access to a kitchen, but it does not have the clean, crisp feeling of a hotel room. -You want to pick figs and grapes off the vines in the courtyard in season. -You will enjoy sitting on the veranda looking down at the ocean and town below you. -You would enjoy meeting other people that are staying in the same house. -You don't mind dealing with a somewhat loud, overly assertive owner.

This is just my opinion, but I found that they did not treat Americans well.