The host was a Scrooge. We said this place should be called "La Scroogliera". The food was only…read moreadequate. The host who must have been the manager too also argued with our waiter in front of us. It was awkward. Our seafood salad was definitely frozen...even though we can see the ocean from our seats. And even though the menu said it was not frozen. No seasoning. Pesto spaghetti was dry, not enough sauce. It fed us. And that's about it. And the food came out so fast there was definitely no care taken in its preparation.

Almost a year later and I can't stop thinking about this restaurant!! I went to Italy in February…read more2022 and this was the best food that I had during my entire visit. Friends and I came to Manarola for a one night stay away from the hustle and bustle of busier cities like Rome and Florence. We arrived by train to Manarola which is apart of 5 cities/villages of Cinque Terre. When you get off of the train you immediately see the beautiful ocean and the even more pretty town. La Scogliera is not very far from the train station and at the bottom of the hill (a blessing because this hill is VERY STEEP). My friends and I began exploring for dinner options and only had a couple of options since it was later in the day and February is considered their off-season so a lot of businesses are not open let alone the impact of covid and travel. We opted for this restaurant and we're quickly seated as soon as we arrived. We immediately felt apart of the community as the inside felt very homey and like everyone had known each other for years. There were plenty of options on there menu but the waiters recommended seafood and their pesto options so that's what we went with. The calamari that we received was like no other I've had. Seasoned to perfection, not overly breaded or fried and large! The pesto pasta was delicious despite it being so simple. And my friend also had vegetarian lasagna which was also delicious. Not pictured here but we also had tiramisu! If I had to decide on my last meal before I passed it would be here and my mom's home cooked food of course lol.

This business site seemed to have been created for reviews of the bar establishment on the beach…read morebut with photos featuring the Statua Il Gigante. Location ~ farthest end from the Spiaggia di Fegina and a good walk from the train station. For passing tourists, a chillaxing spot on the unnoticed side apart from the main center. The bar ~ local, more like a tiki setup with falling apart decor and handwritten menus. Music playing feels more Caribbean than Mediterranean. Only the patio for seating, thankful for the umbrellas shielding the sunburning rays. The drinks ~ usual Italian pilsners, beach cocktails. Pours on the heavier side had our group drinking more than we should have and our obnoxiousness elevated to annoyance of others. Appetizers always seem delish when pairing with a lot of drinks. Bathroom available for diners. Time flies when having fun so check your watch frequently; almost missed the train again. The perfect beach bar. Statua Il Gigante ~ about 100 yards away at the end of the beach is a private villa with an eye popping sculpture that is the symbolic icon of the town. Named Neptune and in 14 meters in height, named fittingly as Gigante. Carved out of the cliff rock, he once guarded the beach with muscular arms & trident. This guy & villa survived bombings from the world war and natural elements but it is evident it is wearing down on him. He needs a drink from the bar.

Great place to grab a bite and bevie before heading to the private beach area with chairs and…read moreumbrellas. Worth it, in my opinion to pay for a chair by the ocean and beautiful scenery. It's also nice to have access to a change room and bathroom, after swimming. They serve baked goods, coffee and hard bar drinks.

I wish I could rave about this hotel... It was our first stop on our honeymoon and unfortunately,…read moreeverything was a little off. Our room was very tired. Weird linen bed sheets, old floors and decor, a dangerously old bathroom and a decent view. Service felt insincere form the moment we arrived and it was clear their priority was the guests that have been returning for decades. Rooms are all different but make sure you book a renovated room or you're sure to be greatly disappointed. Beds are uncomfortable and they use scratchy linen sheets. Wifi is terrible and barely worked in the room. The 'gym' was a room with a few cardio machines. The main public rooms of the hotel are so old and really deserve to be touched up. The best part of this hotel is the view from the restaurant and bar, which you do not need to be a guest to enjoy. This is more like a 3 star hotel than a 5 star hotel. I recommend staying at the Domino Piccolo Home for half the price.

The location is what you pay for, and the view does not disappoint. The linens are fretti,(the…read moreother reviewer doesn't understand what good linens are) and every detail is minded. We enjoyed dinner at both the la terrazza and splendid Mare, both had amazing pesto dishes which are local to Leguria. Great service all around and we had a blast at the bar with the piano singer. I would recommend this to any friend looking for a romantic location.

We had an incredible stay at Hotel Marina Piccola and are so glad that we chose them as our home…read morebase while visiting Cinque Terre. The hotel is centrally located in Manarola but is also very peaceful and quiet. They have rooms with a sea view or a town view. The rooms are very spacious and have lots of counter space. The bathroom and shower were also really spacious. Jessica and Alberto were very friendly and helpful and helped us to make dinner reservations, bought our Cinque Terre cards at a discounted rate, told us some hiking tips, and prepared takeaway breakfasts when we had to checkout early. They were super responsive on email for the months leading up to the trip too which we really appreciated. Mary Rose was very friendly and made delightful cappuccinos, eggs, and pancakes for breakfast every morning. The rest of the breakfast spread (lemon tarts, jam tarts, chocolate brownies, croissants, yogurt, granola, bread, cheese, meats, cereal, juices) was also incredible. They will hold your bags for you if you need it, either before check-in or after check-out. We can honestly say that we would come back and stay here again in a heartbeat! The rooms, the customer service, and the town of Manarola were perfect.

Everyone was so kind, from start to finish. A charming little hotel and respite in the center of…read morethe tourist drag right on the water in Manarola---the rooms and hotel were so clean, morning breakfast was beautiful. Continental offerings with ham, yogurt and fruit, pastry and cheeses etcetera but someone was there to make hot eggs, too. Steps from the water front and some good restaurants nearby. Yes it's a tourist area and you have to park up top at the public parking (pay in lot, free on the street) so pack light and carry your stuff down the HUGE 15 minute hill--but the hotel is a great option for the center of town. Would go again.

Lovely hotel with amazing setting. Room overlooking the sea. Hotel staff very attentive and…read morewelcoming. Food is great and the continental breakfast is a great start to the day. 40 min walk from Porto fino on very scenic walk. Pricey but you get what you pay for. If you want a cheaper place with less service and less cleanliness and not as pristine setting then go for it.

This hotel has a restaurant we anticipated would be exceptional. I had the special of the day…read more Pasta and lobster. The dish should have been brimming with flavor. Lo and behold there was no flavor. The sauce and the lobster were made for people on bland diets. At 36 euros this was a major disappointment to me. Nobody inquired how our food was. The staff asked if we wanted dessert. That was the only communication we had with them. As they say "You can't go through life on good looks alone. A stately hotel such as Miramare can not run their kitchen any less. Disappointed customer being honest.

We absolutely adored our quick trip (2days) to Rapallo and this charming hotel. Beautiful views,…read moreexcellent service and perfectly located. Drove to Rapallo after spending 3 days at Lake Como (hotel reviewed separately). We arrived on Sunday afternoon (drove in from Como). Upon checking in, weather was perfect so we went out to the pool area for some fresh made Bellini's and to catch some rays. Very nice and large area to lay out. Walked down the steps for a dip in the Sea. The gym is also excellent. Fully stocked with machines and free weights/dumbbells, treadmills and elliptical. Plan was to drive to Portofino for dinner. Being that it was Sunday evening and Mother's Day, traffic was light and parking was easy. Took advice from Angelo at front desk and went to a fabulous restaurant in Portofino "Dai Gemilli". (Amazing! Highly recommend) The next day we caught the ferry and took a trip back to Portofino to see the sights and light shopping. Ferried to Santa Margherita for lunch and walking around and back to our hotel. Will definitely stay here again our next trip to the area.

If you have never stayed at a quality hotel then this will be a fine experience for you. They are…read moreclearly coasting on the beautiful location that they are lucky to have. The hotel is well past it's golden age and it shows. The Excelsior Palace Hotel is a joke and a disgrace to all 5 star hotels. I have been treated better at a truck stop gas station, the staff (aside from a select few) are all extremely unprofessional and unpleasant to be around. They do not listen and talk over you, have an attitude when you ask simple questions and punish you if you ask for help. If you are used to staying at 2-3 star hotels you will have a fine experience. But if you are looking for quality, you won't find it here. Your money will be better spent at a villa or literally anywhere else. I can't say I was satisfied after any meal and was shocked by the high price and dismal portions. I can't speak for the lord byron restaurant because it was closed while I was there. My review on the food is for the beach club restaurant. Additionally, they only offer a buffet style continental breakfast. If you don't care about sick children breathing on all your food before you eat it then enjoy! Whatever the case, I do not recommend this place to anyone and it's baffling to me that they are able to maintain a 5 state status.

Bigger isn't always better and this micro boutique hotel is an all-time favorite stay. Domina Home…read morePiccolo is the quintessential coastal setting in an Italian hamlet, not just any borgo, but revered Portofino. The hotel is quite quaint and well-staffed even though it has something like 10 rooms. Depending on what you book, it can be quite spacious. Try for the position that faces the water with double door windows that when unlatched create a wonderful open-air experience. Breakfast is well put together and afterward a nice walk to the water down the hundred or so steps out the front will burn off 10-15 calories. Lolzsies! This area is amazing and home to the hotel's private cove and beach. Even more enjoyable is getting out and about. A stroll to the right out the front takes you to Portofino marina. A couple mile stroll to the left (yes, it's mostly safe to walk on the road) takes you past amazing homes built in to the rock faces along the road. If you walk far enough, you'll reach Santa Margherita Ligure - much more populated but a joy and quite active when the quieter Portofino has you yearning for a city of a few thousand. :) Can't recommend Domina Home Piccolo or Portofino enough.

This hotel is best for the views. Our room is very small. Like no room to put our bags anywhere…read more Bathroom is smaller than usual. Almost feels like a cruise bathroom. The views are what you want at this hotel. Right on the curve of a road to portofino. There is a direct walkway to portofino. There is also a small beach in a small bay. There is a terrace near the beach that is also a great view. Lunch was late so limited selections. Breakfast is nice with made to order omelette.

We stayed at La Novellina a few years ago, and are now going back to the area. This is a wonderful…read morearea, and LaNovellina is a warm and friendly place, with comfy clean beds, and good food. It is convenient to us for doing genealogical research, and for enjoying this part of the valley. It is convenient to the riviera, but still is in a very non-tourist location, close to town, but not in the town either. Food was fabulous, as they serve to the local people as well.