Cinque Terre, Italy Gem Stay

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​This is a hidden Cinque Terre, Italy gem. ​La Polena Hotel is apartment-like and has a rooftop that we had for private sunbathing and enjoying at sunset. It’s private to the building that only has 2 other rooms that may or may not be occupied.  

In the Emerald Suite, there’s a beautiful view above the water (Ligurian Sea), that you can indeed swim in.  It’s lovely in the summer.

Great way to travel is to take the boat ferry and village hop in Cinque Terre.  You can also take the train from town to town.  If you love hiking and walking, it’s a great place for hikers and walking enthusiasts.

And if you’re Italy hopping, you can take the train to La Spezia. From Florence, you’ll see the Carrara marble and quarry that Michaelangelo used to dream up and carve the statue of David in the town of Carrara.

And then in Cinque Terre, you can enjoy the dreamy Italian tourist seascape. 🌊

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The Emerald Suite comes with a Nespresso maker and coffee, and a kettle (hot water pot).  The bedroom is in a separate room separated by a hallway that leads to the bathroom.  The bathroom is very modern and nice.  

There’s a shower enclosed by glass (no bath tub).  There’s a bidet beside the toilet.  It’s not really a family with kids’ place, it’s actually perfect for a romantic getaway. 

There’s a big wardrobe in the room hallway. The safe inside did not work when we stayed but perhaps is fixed now.

Not a big deal as there’s a lock outside the door of the building.  For the hotel room price, this is a Cinque Terre, Italy gem. You’re getting a suite in the heart of Vernazza, one of the 5 famous villages in  Cinque Terre, Italy!

When you leave the building, halfway down the steps (which mind you, are real Cinque Terre steps –stone and uneven), there’s a great restaurant. 

They have delicious fresh seafood and an anchovies plate (Cinque Terre is known for anchovies and pesto).  I don’t usually leave recipes but this is so simple:

Cinque Terre pesto: Crush up basil, pine nuts, and garlic with some salt in a mortar. Then mix with grated parmesan cheese and olive oil.

In the Vernazza village where this hotel is, there’s one restaurant that stands on a cliff and has amazing food.  It’s the Belforte Restaurant. 

We made a reservation at 7 pm and were standing in a line outside in the heat.  But it’s worth the wait!  The food is amazing.  If you love seafood, THIS is the place. I loved their black squid ink pasta.  I could eat that every day.

Then for breakfast, it is free and included with your hotel stay at La Polena, a Cinque Terre, Italy gem.  It is a nice buffet with fruit, yogurt, bread, and pastries.  A server will come by and ask if you would like a beverage, like a coffee or cappuccino.  You can sit inside or outside.  This free-for-guests-breakfast restaurant has an outside picturesque view of the main plaza in Vernazza.  For lunch, this restaurant is busy with tourists.  We had lunch there one day and I ordered the seafood pizza that was 10 euros.

​Night Roof view of Vernazza from hotel

And if you like charming Cinque Terre water views, you’ll probably love the canals in Venice!