 Karen Brown's Guides
Constantly in search of places to stay in the increasingly popular Cinque Terre, we were pleased to receive a letter from one of our readers highly praising the Hotel Villa Steno and its gracious owners, Matteo and Carla. We are pleased to confirm her impressions of Villa Steno, a simple yet most appealing small, family run hotel with a tranquil location just above Monterosso. An enormous advantage is that it offers parking for guests (space is not guaranteed, but usually available).
The hotel, an attractive, mustard-yellow villa accented by green shutters, offers guests a warm welcome. Usually Matteo, or his sweet wife, Carla, is at the reception desk to greet you (you might also catch a glimpse of their adorable daughter, Chiara). The heart of the hotel is the breakfast room where there is also a small guest sitting area. Here modern furnishing made of blond wood and sunlight streaming in through large windows create a pleasing mood. A hearty buffet breakfast includes fantastic pastries baked fresh each morning by Matteo's father. The guestrooms are simply furnished, but fresh and impeccably clean. Each of the bedrooms has a private bathroom, almost all of sthem with a shower enclosed by a wraparound curtain. Except for two, all of the guestrooms have either a balcony or a private terrace. Matteo's brother, Marco, owns another hotel, the Pasquale, located in the center of the village. Both hotels were started by their enterprising grandfather, Pasquale, and his wife, Fortunata. |
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 Italy for Dummies
This is the hotel we prefer most in the Cinque Terre.
Unpretentions, it offers comfortably appointed guest rooms with a minimalism look and bright white walls.
In addition, each room has a private terrace or small garden.
 Rick Steve's Italy
The lovelingly managed Hotel Villa Steno features great view balconies, private gardens off some rooms, air-conditioning, and the friendly help of English-speaking Matteo.
Of his 16 rooms, 12 have view balconies, includes hearty buffet breakfast.
Readers get a free Cinque Terre packet and a glass of the local sweet wine, sciacchetrà, when they check in-ask.
The Steno has a tiny parking lot (free, but call to reserve a spot). |
