Locanda Valeria

We booked a deluxe room through trip.com, but were given a standard one. They said it was because we had paid too little, which certainly wasn't our fault. The room was small, the bed uncomfortable, and the standard didn't match the €110 price. I think it should cost €65 instead. There was nobody at reception or at the property when we arrived. We called and were told two minutes, but waited 35 minutes for the key. It's far from everything, with no restaurant nearby, and doesn't suit anyone without a car. Riomaggiore is a 30-minute drive away. The way this was handled felt dishonest and ruined the mood of our trip. Very disappointing, and I don't recommend it.

We had an amazing stay, and the host even helped us with dinner and breakfast. When we got lost, he was kind enough to pick us up from the station. Getting there can be tricky without a car, though. You may need a taxi, and the fare is usually 15 to 30 euros depending on where you're picked up. If you need taxi help while traveling without a car, use the taxi information provided below.

The way to the property takes some effort: without a car, you can hike from Vernazza for 40-50 minutes over fairly difficult terrain, or walk along the road from Corniglia for 30-40 minutes, which is much easier. For us, the views and memories made it worthwhile. It's a beautiful hilltop spot looking out over the whole coast, with a lovely atmosphere away from the busy streets of Cinque Terre. The family who own it were welcoming and helpful. We were invited to lunch and dinner, and Mr Bruno is an amazing cook. On our last day, he even drove us to the train station very early in the morning.

We left feeling that the friendliness at first wasn't very genuine, and that the owners mainly wanted to make money from tourists. The staff and Bruno seemed nonchalant and unfriendly, without a considerate or professional approach. Communications with the hostess were difficult, and we weren't given enough information about transport. Getting to Vernazza took around 45 minutes and meant hiking down a very steep cliff. Without a car, reaching this place is really difficult, and the lovely view didn't make up for the transport problems. The rooms didn't feel very clean or regularly cleaned. The beds were made on the second day, but not for the rest of our stay. Bruno and his wife played loud music and videos on their phones in the garden from morning through the evening. Having breakfast in the small garden with all that noise and the smell of smoke took away from the stunning view, and it felt like they didn't respect the guests. The stay was disappointing and not worth the money.