Porto Roca
There are no true luxury hotels in the Cinque Terre, but there is a clear leader in terms of position, amenities, and general atmosphere: The most glamorous hotel in the area, no question about it, is the Porto Roca. Thanks to a plunging cliffside perch amidst lush vegetation at the edge of Monterosso, the Porto Roca—a pink 1960s structure that would be unremarkable if not for this gazillion-euro real estate—has an upscale, vintage charm about it that no other Cinque Terre property can compete with. Perhaps most beguiling of all, it also manages to feel intimate, like the seaside villa of a close friend or family member who's invited you to hang out for a few days (although they do present a bill at the end).
The hotel offers 40 mostly spacious rooms with contemporary furnishings, plus some ornate touches here and there, and the majority of units have large balconies with tables and lounge chairs overlooking the sea. All around the grounds are paths with breathtaking views and panoramic spots to eat or drink, but the star amenity is a sea-view infinity pool in a secluded area above terraced low stone walls, making for rapturous swims surrounded by the rugged local landscape. If you judge a hotel's value by the guest rooms alone, you'll probably find the Porto Roca too expensive—again, these are not luxury accommodations—but if you can make full use of its thrilling location, it's worth it. Book directly though the hotel's website for a €15 credit to spend at the bar, restaurant, or massage room.
There are no true luxury hotels in the Cinque Terre, but there is a clear leader in terms of position, amenities, and general atmosphere: The most glamorous hotel in the area, no question about it, is the Porto Roca. Thanks to a plunging cliffside perch amidst lush vegetation at the edge of Monterosso, the Porto Roca—a pink 1960s structure that would be unremarkable if not for this gazillion-euro real estate—has an upscale, vintage charm about it that no other Cinque Terre property can compete with. Perhaps most beguiling of all, it also manages to feel intimate, like the seaside villa of a close friend or family member who's invited you to hang out for a few days (although they do present a bill at the end).
The hotel offers 40 mostly spacious rooms with contemporary furnishings, plus some ornate touches here and there, and the majority of units have large balconies with tables and lounge chairs overlooking the sea. All around the grounds are paths with breathtaking views and panoramic spots to eat or drink, but the star amenity is a sea-view infinity pool in a secluded area above terraced low stone walls, making for rapturous swims surrounded by the rugged local landscape. If you judge a hotel's value by the guest rooms alone, you'll probably find the Porto Roca too expensive—again, these are not luxury accommodations—but if you can make full use of its thrilling location, it's worth it. Book directly though the hotel's website for a €15 credit to spend at the bar, restaurant, or massage room.
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