SailorsRest - Riomaggiore Cinque Terre

We slept wonderfully in the comfortable bed, and the modern bathroom was clean and had everything we needed. The apartment itself was bright, fresh, spotless, and thoughtfully set up, with crisp linens, soft towels, and a well-stocked kitchenette. You can tell the hosts care about the guest experience. What we'll remember most is the private terrace, high above Riomaggiore with a sweeping, unobstructed sea view. It was a perfect place to unwind with wine and watch one of the most spectacular sunsets we've ever seen. The photos don't capture it. This stay was a highlight of our Cinque Terre trip, and we'd come back in a heartbeat.

The apartment is small, very clean, and has a little kitchenette. It's built into the mountainside, so there's no outside view from inside, and you can hear noise from the neighboring apartments in these older buildings. Cell service is weak indoors, and the WiFi is slow. We were outside most of the time, so that wasn't a big issue for us, but it's useful to know. Andrea met us when we arrived, showed us the apartment and terrace, and explained how things worked. The apartment is very close to the train station and ferry in Riomaggiore, the first of the Cinque Terre towns. A lovely private terrace is included, but it's two more flights of stairs above the apartment. Getting to the apartment itself means climbing several steep stone stairways. That's true across Cinque Terre, so pack light, and it may not work for people with mobility difficulties. The bed is a loft, so there are stairs to climb at night too. We weren't told about breakfast, and none was provided, despite what some other reviews say. Also, Riomaggiore now requires a tourist card for some elevators and services, and to walk back into town via the lovers lane trail. Our property contact said the card website wasn't live, so he couldn't give us cards, though we met several tourists who seemed to have them. As a result, we had to take the train back instead of hiking the lovers lane in reverse, since only residents and card holders could use the trail in that direction.

We stayed four nights and loved this beautiful place above the marina in Riomaggiore. The window looked out over the sea, and we could hear the waves crashing. The room was really clean, and the host was very helpful. There are stairs up to the room, but you'll be dealing with stairs in Cinque Terre anyway. We felt like we were living the Italian dream, and the private terrace is the best in Riomaggiore. Just book it, you won't regret it.

The standout is the private terrace, with lovely views of the sea and the enclave. It's also the best place to watch the sunset in Riomaggiore. The rooms are clean, neat, and well equipped, including a small kitchenette that works fully. Check-in and checkout were quick and easy, and the train station is only about two minutes away. Highly recommend!