Luna Rossa

Stayed here for two nights. We arrived in La Spezia (the nearby town) by train late in the evening after buses had stopped running and had to use a taxi to reach the hotel. This is a simple 10 minute drive, but in peak holiday time and after 19.00 the taxis will charge you €25-€30. There was no one on the front desk when we arrived, but in Italy this is to be expected and was not a problem as a note had been left and the key was in the door of our room. When we eventually spoke to the lady at the desk, we were disappointed by her reaction to us not having arrived by car. She was decidedly unhelpful and simply told us getting around without a car would be ‘difficult’. No bus routes were offered and she did not have a taxi number. The phone signal at the hotel is intermittent and the free WiFi did not reach our room. For those who do find themselves in the same predicament as us, there is in fact a bus which leaves to La Spezia at 08.56 in the mornings at the end of the road opposite the Pietro restaurant. This goes to the town’s train station from which the Cinque Terre region can be reached easily and Cinque Terre cards are available for purchase. Getting back to the hotel by bus in the evening required at least two buses and a lot of asking the locals; the online bus information for the area is extremely unreliable. One evening involved a 40 minute walk back to the hotel along the surrounding country roads, which is definitely not recommended as the speed limits on these roads are 50km/h and vehicles do not expect pedestrians to be walking there. On the other hand, the hotel’s saving grace is it’s breakfast which involves a large spread of tasty pastries, meats and coffee. It begins at 8am and is definitely enough to keep you full until lunch, even if your morning does involve a lot of bus timetable research!

Hotel Luna Rossa can be found over the mountain from the city of La Spezia, by taking 2 busses, but more conveniently by car! How ever you do it, you will find a lovely small hotel run by Erika (who is also a masseuse). The rooms are immaculate, comfortable, and several have a little terrace facing a field of wildflowers. There is ample snacking, coffee, tea and wine opportunity in the office/dining room; and, the breakfast is hearty enough for a day of exploring the immediate area, or heading to Cinque Terre. Don't miss the "other" terre, Portovenere. You will find a charming harbor and ancient history here as well (and only a short drive, bus or bike ride from the city), with fewer tourists!

Best value I found after 10 years around La Spezia. Clean, simply rooms with bathroom. Middle of mountains and nature, just 10min from La Spezia centre. Safe parking and amazing breakfast. Much better then in 3 stars hotel. Only wifi is not strong in some rooms.