La Torretta Lodge

Outstanding location, beautiful views, helpful and accommodating staff. We loved our stay there. Paola and Barbara made us feel like special guests. The breakfast is bountiful, everything from baked goods to eggs served in a variety of ways. Barbara and Paola are fluent in English and helped us with reservations and recommendations. The wait staff was very attentive and patient. The room service was excellent. Imagine being greeted to your room with fresh fruit and a bottle of wine! Our balcony overlooked the village and surrounding hills. At night, our balcony room was gently lit by the hillside “PAX” sign and peace indeed was the way we felt as we enjoyed the evening.

This place is magical! The views overlooking the postcard perfect town of Manarola and the sea were breathtaking. The location is quiet and charming. Our room was beautifully decorated including with stunning works by an Italian photographer. The staff could not have been friendlier or more accommodating. Breakfast on the terrace was a wonderful way to start the day. Wish we could have stayed more than 5 nights .

After much searching across all of the 5 towns, I felt fortunate to have found La Torretta in my research....as I was not looking for an Airbnb, or a room in someone's flat, or to stay outside of the Cinque Terre where far more options abound. Well, after setting foot on the property, and later our room, I knew we'd hit gold! A few reasons.... - Service that is genuinely friendly, welcoming and attentive throughout....from the immediate approach as we made our way through the initial entrance of the property, drenched in sweat (more on that later), the porter immediately taking our luggage and directing us to the lobby, where after providing the requisite documentation, we were invited on to the common terrace for super-refreshing glasses of Prosecco - Helpful guidance in terms of restaurant, boats, ferry and hiking path recommendations as well as the ever-important train schedules for shuttling between towns (post hike or post dinner!) - Twice daily housekeeping which not only was invisible and fast, but each time left the room in immaculate condition - Attentiveness during the complimentary breakfast each morning...offering unlimited refills of anything we desired without the slightest indication that there was a time limit....it felt as though the freshly-squeezed orange juice would be poured endlessly until it was dinner time! - The complimentary breakfast was an abundance of riches: the freshest selection of fruits, pastries, and assortment of cold-cuts; a wonderful bread basket with accompanying jams; coffee or cappuccino; freshly squeezed juices; and eggs made to order....talk about setting you up for your daily hiking success! - Complimentary mini-bar which was replenished daily; while it excluded alcohol beyond the complimentary bottle of local red wine which was left for us along with a lovely note, it was such a nice touch to actually be able to drink flat or sparkling water, or a Coke or Sprite and not worry about paying some exorbitant amount for the privilege - Our room was only a Classic Room with a Sea View...rather small yet impressively and stylishly decorated to maximize the space...and the View....oh boy they certainly delivered with the View (see photos) Things to keep in mind.... - The property sits at the very top of the one-way pedestrian street in Manarola, right next to the Church of San Lorenzo. Once you exit the pedestrian tunnel, it is an undulating hill that seems endless in the brutal afternoon sun dragging along 2 suitcases...at least there are no steps! The lodge advises about 10 mins from pedestrian tunnel to the top but it certainly took us more like 20 mins (we are old!) - The exterior stairs to many of the rooms including ours (#8) are VERY steep (as other reviewers have mentioned)....but then again, you are in Cinque Terre to give those legs a workout, no?? - The WiFi is perfectly serviceable but only inside your room.... - The Classic Room could do with an additional table or even a luggage rack....the