Hotel Venere Azzurra

The breakfast was amazing, with lots of delicious hot and cold choices. It was a proper buffet, not a continental breakfast, and a local restaurant could easily have charged €20 per person. The room itself was clean, with fresh bedding, double pillows, and comfortable beds. The two-bedroom suite on the top floor was worn in places, including cracked tiles, but overall it was OK. The serious problem was that we had no hot water. After hiking the Cinque Terre trail all day, a shower mattered. We told the front desk, and Elisa came up to check, but she wasn't able to fix it, through no fault of hers. There was still no hot water in the morning, which was very disappointing. At checkout, the desk attendant apologized and offered a discount, then said he couldn't change the fee because we'd already paid in full at check-in. I can't give the hotel a 4 or 5 with no hot water. That's inexcusable. Also, be aware that bugs are part of this climate and there are no screens. In the older building we encountered several large centipedes. We camp, so it didn't alarm us, but other guests could be startled.

The hotel is right across from a sandy beach, with an elevator, which is a big help since it's on a hill. There's also a rooftop where you can watch sunrise and sunset. Lots of restaurants and coffee shops are within walking distance, some great and some less so. The rooms are small, but that's typical for Europe. It advertises itself as a 3-star hotel. For cleanliness, pleasant service, and a decent breakfast with plenty of healthy options, I'd give it a solid 4 stars.

We spent two nights here while traveling through Liguria. The balcony view is absolutely stunning, and the rooms and bathrooms were clean. Breakfast was really tasty, too. It's good value if that's what you're after, but don't expect luxury. The staff weren't always accommodating, which is why I took off a star.

The staff were very, very nice, and the hotel serves a good breakfast. It's right by both private and public beaches. The city center is about a pleasant 15-minute walk along the sea. Parking is limited, though public parking is available nearby. Contact the hotel for a discounted rate, and make sure your licence plate is registered so you don't get an expensive traffic fine.