Must-see hotels in The Italian Riviera

  • La Sosta di Ottone III

    Monterosso

    Up in the hills between the beautiful, almost Cinque Terre, beach town of Levanto and Monterosso, La Sosta di Ottone III is a lovely hideaway that's also…

  • Villa Rosmarino

    Camogli

    Villa Rosmarino's motto is 'you don't stay, you live' and it's apt. Simply taking in the views here is life affirming. This elegant pink 1907 villa is a…

  • Palazzo Grillo

    Genoa

    In a once derelict palazzo, Genovese locals Matteo and Laura have created the extraordinary place to stay that Genoa has been crying out for. Stunning…

  • La Torretta Lodge

    Manarola

    Sitting high up above the village, a collection of both private and public terraces command spectacular views while decor differs in each of the rooms,…

  • La Mala

    Vernazza

    These four rooms are some of Cinque Terre's nicest. Up in the cliff-side heights of the village, they are in a typical Ligurian house that's run by the…

  • Valleponci

    Riviera di Ponente

    Only 4km from the beach, Val Ponce feels deliciously wild, tucked away in a rugged Ligurian valley. Horses graze, grapevines bud and the restaurant turns…

  • Il Magan

    Corniglia

    Four appealingly simple, rustic rooms all have spectacular views, including the single room; two have terraces. Private bathrooms are new, if basic, and…

  • Blu di Te House

    Santa Margherita Ligure

    Once a rambling old Ligurian villa, the Blu di Te now has 20 clean-lined rooms. Colours echo the Ligurian landscape and there is a combination of…

  • Heart of Cinque Terre

    Corniglia

    Located at the midpoint of the Sentiero Azzuro hiking trail between Corniglia and Vernazza, this friendly place has spectacular views overlooking the…

  • Eco Del Mare

    Tellaro

    One of the Riviera's loveliest beaches is home to this exclusive, remote-seeming hotel and beach club. An insouciant boho glamour pervades here; rooms are…

  • Le Nuvole

    Genoa

    A lovely small hotel where smart modern furniture and slick bathrooms make the most of an ancient palazzo's original architecture and its knockout lofty…

  • Genova 46

    Genoa

    On the top floor of an elegant 1891 mansion, Genova 46 has five spacious rooms and suites, all set with original details (like stucco ceilings) and…

  • Mare Hotel

    Savona

    The four-star seafront Mare with its infinity pool, private beach and candle-lit open-air restaurant is Italian beach bling in action. New rooms adopt a…

  • Arbaspàa

    Manarola

    A well-run locally operated tour agency that rents out apartments in Manarola and the other four Cinque Terre villages, as well as in La Spezia. Summer…

  • Grand Hotel Villa Balbi

    Sestri Levante

    Overlooking the Baia delle Favole, this 17th-century villa has a striking facade and a lavishly designed interior (including a fresco-lined lobby). The…

  • Grand Hotel Savoia

    Genoa

    A belle-époque dame from the late 19th century, the Grand Savoia has elegantly updated rooms with parquet flooring, high-quality furnishings and black-and…

  • Casa de Mar

    Tigullio & Baia del Levante

    One rustic apartment that sleeps four is located within the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso compound. Once the last boat leaves you're pretty much alone; basic…

  • Hotel Cairoli

    Genoa

    For five-star service at three-star prices, book at this artful hideaway. Rooms, on the 3rd floor of a towering palazzo, are themed on modern artists and…

  • Manêna

    Genoa

    In a quiet lane near the Maddalena church, the easy-going Manêna was Genoa's first hostel to open in the historic centre back in 2012, and it's still one…

  • Gianni Franzi Rooms

    Vernazza

    Spread over two locations, one above the attached restaurant, the other up the hill, rooms here are an atmospheric mix of antique furniture and simple…

  • Villa della Pergola

    Riviera di Ponente

    Sitting in a tropical garden that rivals more famous Riviera gardens, with wow sea views, this luxury hotel was one of the homes of eminent Victorian,…

  • Grand Hotel Miramare

    Santa Margherita Ligure

    The Miramare, which looks back over to the town across the Gulf of Tigullio, feels from another time, the antithesis of vulgarity. Staff are gracious,…

  • Hotel Pasquale

    Monterosso

    Offering soothing views and 15 modern guest rooms set in black and white, this friendly seafront hotel is built into Monterosso's rocky hillside. To find…

  • La Superba

    Genoa

    This lovingly cared-for, well-equipped place at a bargain price has rooms spread over the two top floors of an old palazzo. Top-floor rooms have pretty…

  • Paradiso di Manù

    Riviera di Ponente

    Overlooking the Gulf of Spotorno, this ‘diffusion’ hotel is a revitalised hamlet with six elegant Provençal-style rooms located in a variety of stone…

  • Hotel Marina Piccola

    Manarola

    This choice Manarola hotel has 12 big, comfortable, contemporary rooms, with a few looking over the sea. The lovely lobby and lounge area, which sports a…

  • Eight Hotels Paraggi

    Portofino

    This low-key hotel has simple, luxurious rooms, but its real appeal is the location. Right on the perfect crescent of Paraggi beach, there's a sense of…

  • Palazzo Cambiaso

    Genoa

    A real attention to design is evident in these rooms and apartments, set on the upper floor of a stately palazzo. The larger ones (sleeping up to six)…

  • Hotel Helvetia

    Sestri Levante

    Leaning over the invisible edge of the swimming pool and gazing down on the Baia del Silenzio and the broad curve of the beach, you have to agree that few…

  • B&B Palazzo Morali

    Genoa

    Stay in rarefied splendour at this antique-clad B&B near the Porto Antico. On the top two floors of a lofty building, its palatial rooms (some with shared…

  • Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi

    Camogli

    The Cenobio's name means 'gathering place of the doges', and yes, the Genovese dukes used to holiday here aeons ago. A private beach and waterfront…

  • Alta Marea

    La Spezia

    Friendly Andrea will be there to greet you at this small B&B and can be counted on for his local knowledge and restaurant tips. Rooms are spotless, airy…

  • Europa Hotel Design Spa 1877

    Rapallo

    Close to the beach and with its own spa facilities – a thermal bath and steam room – this beautifully refurbished place is super relaxing. The modern…

  • Hotel La Spiaggia

    Monterosso

    This aptly named hotel is right on Monterosso’s spiaggia (beach) and its 20 largish rooms are popular – book early (up to six months in advance). If you…

  • NH Savona

    Savona

    Rooms are sparkling clean at this chain hotel near the cruise terminal. Each has floor to ceiling windows, a modular design, and some have fine harbour…

  • Hotel Fiascherino

    Tellaro

    There's nothing remotely Riviera-fancy about this place, but there's an old-fashioned grace and charm that's beguiling. Rooms are simple with many vintage…

  • Hotel Cristoforo Colombo

    Genoa

    A totally charming family-run hotel ideally situated near Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Cristoforo Colombo has 18 colour-accented rooms with eclectic…

  • Hotel Suisse

    Genoa

    Clean, uncluttered rooms, service with a smile and excellent prices all inside an art-nouveau beauty. What more could you want? Climb the stairs to the…

  • Lolli Palace Hotel

    San Remo

    Set in a lovely art-nouveau building near the waterfront, this well-equipped three-star makes a fine base for exploring the town. It has pleasantly…

  • Hotel Bristol Palace

    Genoa

    Under the huge portals of Via XX Settembre lies Genoa's art-nouveau masterpiece. Atmospheric, airy rooms with plush curtains, polished parquetry and…