Hi everyone! I'm looking for recommendations on hotels in Florence and Cinque Terre.
Also, which village in Cinque Terre would you recommend staying in?
Thanks!— looking for recommendations.

Sharon
Cinque Terre, we stayed at an airbnb in Corniglia with host Valentina. We shared a bathroom and kitchen and we liked our beach 10 minute walk away. There were many steps and we had to take a train/bus to her place but we loved it.

In Florence we always stay at Hotel Europa - steps from the Duomo and walking distance from Train Station And tons of restaurants. Cinque Terre - Monterosso seemed to be the busiest town? Hotel Stella Della Marina. Best view and breakfast on the rooftop balcony!

We’ve been there and recommend staying in Levanto - it’s not one of the five villages but much quieter and probably less expensive. The best places to stay in Italy imo are “Agriturismos”: clean, friendly and breakfast is included. We just took the train into Cinqueterre - you can also hike. Have fun!

We didn’t stay at Cinque Terra we drove to La Spenza and left our car underground at the train station. The train ride was dirt cheap and you can hop on a train to the other villages or hike there. Some hike with their poles. Night view is stunning! Train ride to Montoresso maybe 20 minutes, less than 5 euro if I remembered correctly.

Night view in Corniglia

We stayed in the city of La Spezia, at a condo called Gateway to Cinque Terre, where kitchen facilities and shared BR but never had any competition with other 2 guests . Train to villages is short, very reasonable. Monterosso we stayed on beach for afternoon. Train or ferry ride is also fun to 5 villages.

In Florence I stayed at the Relais Modern - breakfast can be included and it's a 6-10 minute walk to the Accademia Gallery and about 12-15 minutes to the Duomo, and is near buses.

We stayed at Villa Accini,Monterosso al Mare. Would stay again. Room was clean and had private bathroom and air conditioning. Included breakfast every morning. Close to train and we easily walked everywhere.

air bnb or vrbo are your best bets. Depending on when you go, check that they have air conditioning as many don’t there. The sea breeze helps but when we were there in July it was HOT. Vernazza is our favourite and it is busy for a couple hours each day when the tour boats come in. Mornings and evening after the day trippers leave is amazing. Buy dinner and a bottle wine then eat along the rocks looking out to the sea. If you want to spend a lot of time in great swim spots, Riomaggiore is so incredible.

We lucked out and got a great room in Florence. Loved it so much we stayed an extra night, great location, private room and bathroom, breakfast included, and cheap!
https://www.hostelarchirossi.com
HOSTELARCHIROSSI.COM
Hostel Archi Rossi, Florence, Italy

I stayed in an airbnb in Riomaggiore and loved it!
If you plan on doing any of the hikes, we took the train to Vernazza and then did that hike down to the beaches of Monterosso which was great also!

Depends what you want. We have been there a few times and each village is different. Vernazza is VERY busy and expensive. Monterosso has the most accommodations and a beach that is awesome. My fav is Riomagorie (sp?) quieter and really pretty. Rick Steves has good recommendations in his books. You can also use a B&B site. They changed the rules this year i think and there are limits to the number of people they are allowing into the park. I dont know more than that.
Last time we stayed in Vernazza we got a spot on the hill overlooking town with a garden terrace with lemon trees and a great view. Room was shit....but the view was worth it. Been to Cornillia...but didnt stay there. The hikes are fun but not easy on a scorching day. The whole area is too crowded now. Try Sprelonga for a great beach place its between Rome and Naples.

We stayed in an air bnb (it was called Alberta House) in Manarola and loved it. It was right on the water with two balconies and incredible sunsets.

Do a combination of train, hiking, and then open cruiser boat to get the full experience of the Cinque Terre.

In Florence, we stayed at Hotel Alessandra. Centrally located (you can walk to all the sites) and the staff is awesome!

Marion
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
Follow up question, would 2.5 (almost 3) days be enough for Cinque Terre?

If you’re just exploring towns, yes. If you plan on doing a hike or two....no.

You could spend a month there and not be long enough. Balance it against your other stops. We were there 7 nights and it was amazing. You could do it in 2.5

I used hotels from the Mercure chain (Ibis are also part of this). Always had great rooms at a very decent price.

I agree....small, cheap, clean and usually good location

Wherever you end up staying, air conditioning is a MUST!

I loved staying in Manorola! The bnb we stayed at has been sold, so I can’t make recommendations for accommodations.

Hotel California Firenze, one of my favourites in Europe! Views of the duomo, it’s a perfect location

Not a hotel, but my husband and I stayed in airbnbs in Riomaggiore and Corniglia and had good experiences in both

Florence Hotel Athenaeum up from the Accademia.

Hotel

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Hotel David in Florence

Monna Lisa was a nice hotel close to Duomo

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I would go back in a heart beat

vrbo - Vacation Rentals By Owner monteroso was awesome. Great beach.