Hotel Firenze e Continentale - La Spezia

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Nov 2007

Would recomend this hotel to be used if you are going to be using the trains to the local areas,the station is across the street there is a great little restaurant also across the street.Lots of shopping down the street

Guest name: KP, Canada

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Oct 2007

This hotel is very close to the railway station which is useful if you are staying to visit the Cinque Terre. The room was reasonably spacious and very clean. The staff spoke English and were helpful when asked but not very friendly. There are few nearby eating places for dinner which made life difficult.

Guest name: JH, Australia

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Group

stayed in Oct 2007

This hotel is 20 metres from the railway station - on a quiet road. Excellent location for exploring Le Cinque Terre and surrounding area. There are numerous restaurants of all types nearby, and lots of shops. All-in-all excellent value and an excellent choice.

Guest name: SC, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2007

The bathroom was small but adequate. Close to train station. Was a good location with traveling by train.

Guest name: MP, USA

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Sep 2007

Great location for train travelers is the best characteristic of this hotel. Bedroom was spacious, bathroom wasn't. Much celebrated breakfst/sun room was "OK", but not as glorious as advertised. Breakfast was hot and cold...literally. (Coffee was cold some mornings, along with some of the "hot" foods.) Front desk was very helpful. Reason to stay here?...Location, location, location...to the trains and to the cinque terre.

Guest name: TN, USA

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

The hotel was really nice, the only weak point was the garage, which costs 13 EUR/day. It is an old building used as a garage, the spaces are really small. In another hotel (same category) I only had to leave the key at the reception and they parked the car, and after -at leaving- they brought my car to the reception. That was a "service". Anyway all the rest was OK, breakfast was excellent and breakfast room had a nice panorama!

Guest name: TV, Italy

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

The hotel is between two busy streets, thus rather noisy. But the breakfast is excellent! Extremely convenient for the railway station - frequent trains to the Cinque Terre. Easy walking distance to pedestrian area of La Spezia, shops, restaurants.

Guest name: DC, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Hotel very conviently located a few meters from the train station. A bit noisy. Rooms and service good except that no breakfast included. Limited number of restaurants and attractions nearby

Guest name: Rejean Leclerc, Canada

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Lovely spacious room. A shame there was no 'fridge. The airconditioning was not working and when we reported it we were told it would be looked at but nothing happened. Luckily opening the window did the trick as it was cooler at night. Stayed for 4 nights. Would stay there again.

Guest name: GS, Australia

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Great location for visiting the Cinque Terre. Almost across the street from the train station. Excellent restaurant right across the street. Breakfast had more selections, including eggs, than at most other hotels we stayed at during our visit to Italy.

Guest name: John Swanton, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

Lovely clean spacious room however right beside stairway and endless noise from people using the stairs. Staff first day bery unfriendly and then after very nice. They have heavy key ring holders that bash the doors and distrub everyone I am sure as doors are opened and closed. Breakfast was very good and all spaces and amenities very good.

Guest name: RA, Australia

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

The Firenze e Continentale was a great place to stay. It is very close to the train station and within easy walking distance of the station, city center, and various trattorias. The receptionist was a little cold but very efficient. My room was noisy because it faced the street and the train station. Closing the window remedied that easily. Also, if hiking the Cinque Terre this is a great place to stay because you can take the train to the Cinque Terre very easily regardless of where you wish to begin your hike. I would definitely stay here again.

Guest name: AS, USA

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Location is excellent - across from train station if you are visiting Cinque Terre. Breakfast is adequate. Staff suggested wonderful restaurant across street which we probably wouldn't have tried but had two excellent dinners there.

Guest name: Deborah OToole, USA

Average rating:  5.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

Bathroom so small!I'm sure you can't stay in if you are a bit fat! A lot of things for breakfast, but nothing really good. La Spezia is very quiet in the evening, nobody in restaurants. The big interest is the station very close, very easy to go to Cinque Terre, in spite of this, the neighbourhood isn't noisy. But you pay for this, i think this hotel is expensive, for this price you have a beautiful hotel in the south of France!

Guest name: GN, France

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Aug 2007

Hotal Firenze & Continentale was very nice and clean. As indicated on the internet 5 min away from the train so there was no problem to travell. The view was amazing and the crew was very nice. overall we enjoyed our stay. the rooms were nice a roomy.

Guest name: Paula Locsh, USA

Average rating:  4.9

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Aug 2007

Lo mejor del hotel es su cercanía a la Estación de Ferrocarril mediante la que se accede a le Cinque Terre, muy cómodo para olvidarse del coche (aunque no disponen de parking) y recorrer tranquilamente esos pueblecitos

Guest name: Agustin Fernandez Serrano, Spain

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Aug 2007

Location, near the train station was excellent since we were arriving late at night. Cost versus value of the room struck me as a bit high. Staff was helpful. Staff was very helpful in arranging a second night on short notice. Staff member helping us with internet access was not very knowledgeable - but we found a nearby internet cafe that met our needs.

Guest name: MK, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2007

50m from trainstation, but not any noise at all! Location is perfect, close to city senter whith shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Close to train for exploring cinque terre. Monterosso have a graet baech. Restaurants in La Spezia have 1/2 price compered to cinque terre restaurants, and also maby better food! Try walking through all 5 cinque terre. La Spezia is also great for shopping, not expensive.

Guest name: Magnus Torvik, Norway

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Jun 2007

The hotel is remarkably close to the station, probably less than 100 paces. It is the most convenient location we have encountered yet. The staff were very helpful indeed and their rooms both quiet and comfortable. They have a lovely lounge and bar area where you can get a nice cup of tea or coffee. It was just a short walk into the town centre with plenty of shopping available along the way. There is a western union call/internet centre about 20 paces to the right, a laundromat across the road and cash machines approx. 50m further towards the city centre. It is said that this particular district is not so nice/safe. We were a bit apprehensive about staying there based on this information however, we found it to be quiet and felt relatively safe walking around in both day and night. We stayed in both La Spezia and in Monterosso Al Mare (Cinque Terre). We chose to stay in La Spezia as it enabled us to arrive in the area late in the evening at the beginning of our trip and to depart early (6:30am) for our next destination. It was very convenient as the train ride into Cinque Terre took only between 5-20min (depending on the town). That allowed us a full day on arrival into Cinque Terre and another full day on our departure. We would recommend both this hotel and it's city to anyone travelling through the area.

Guest name: Jodi Jackson, Australia

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jul 2007

Very convenient for travel to cinque terre by train. Good value for money overall.

Guest name: Ross Rutherford, New Zealand

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

Well located, delightfully furnished. Great breakfast!

Guest name: FF, Australia

Average rating:  6.6

Guest type: Group

stayed in Jul 2007

In terms of location and room size, you can't fault this place. However, the concierge staff were generally unhelpful and, by the end of our stay, not entirely pleasant.

Guest name: FT, Australia

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2007

The room was quite clean but could do better, especially in the bathroom it was obvious that the property is a bit old (signs of humidity) and not very well cared for. Check-in at 14.00 is not convenient at all for travellers spending only a couple of days. The breakfast was excellent, the position very good for visiting Cinque Terre (very close to the train station).

Guest name: ST, Italy

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: 

stayed in Jun 2007

The location is excellent, the rooms are beautiful and make sure to take advantage of their very generous free breakfast!

Guest name: GF, Canada

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Apr 2007

Perfect hotel as base for visiting the 5 Terre. Very close to the train station (20 meters). Very good contineltal breakfast. Spacious bathroom and friedly staff. Would racommend. Ottimo hotel come base di partenza per raggiungere in treno le 5 Terre infatti la stazione dei treni e' a 20 metri. Colazione molto buona. Bagno particolarmente spazioso. Personale molto cordiale. Il garage era occupato ma ci hanno fatto parcheggiare gratuitamente in una zona riservata dell'hotel. Sicuramente da consigliare.

Guest name: LEONILDO BARBIERO, Italy

Average rating:  6.6

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2007

Very handy to the train station and central areas of La Spezia. Parking was good but they don't tell you about the charge until you check out. Unfortunately you need to keep the windows and shutters closed most of the time for noise and privacy but a good option if you are looking for somewhere to base yourself from.

Guest name: Peter Scodellaro, Singapore

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2006

Very nice clean tidy rooms, great showers. Good location near the train station, very handy for seeign Cinque Terre. Only problem was noise from doors of other rooms beign closed- problem only for light sleepers. Excellent brakfast and other comforts well and truly made up for it.

Guest name: SB, Australia

Average rating:  6.6

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2006

Overall it was ok. It was handy for us being close to the Train station. The reception was not overly welcoming and they make you hand in your passport initially. It would have been fine if they had locked away our passports in the time they kept it, but there didn't seem to be always someone at the front desk while the passports sat openly behind the desk in the key hole slots. The room was ok, but unfortunately the shower drain blocked up quickly. The breakfast was lovely with a beautiful view.

Guest name: Rebecca Nighjoy Wong, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: 

stayed in Oct 2006

The location was excellent, just across from the trin station, yet quiet (as our room faced away with charming views. Renovated bathroom, but furniture and carpets a bit dowdy. friendly staff, nice breakfast, elevator, easy walk to decent restaurants, and interesting fellow guests. very nice for the money.

Guest name: Susan Weiss, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2006

My first time in La Spezia. Only a few steps from the railwaystation. Excelent for 5Terre tours. Short distanse to citycenter. Nice people. Hope to come back one day.

Guest name: Olav Nilssen, Norway

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2006

we enjoyed our stay at Hotel firenze e Continentale. The staff was very friendly and tried to help us with a problem with our rental car. The room was clean and the breakfast good. We would stay there again. It was a short walk to the train station, which is always helpful.

Guest name: Deena Gillespie, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2006

An older hotel but the rooms/beds are adequate. Only problem was the tiny shower. Location is good, only a few minutes from the train station, making it a great base for visiting the Cinque Terre;Lerici and Portonovere. Breakfast was fine.

Guest name: Anton Kovacevic, Australia

Average rating:  6.6

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Sep 2006

Die Zimmer sollten dringend neu möbeliert werden... Gute Lage, sehr schöner Frühstücksraum mit Aussicht, gutes Frühstück. Durch eine Renovation würde das Hotel sehr gewinnen.

Guest name: Erwin Brupbacher, Switzerland

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Aug 2006

This was our first visit to LaSpezia. We were there only two nights but were able to hike the whole Cinque Terra trail and also went to Portovenere the first night via bus and had a wonderful dinner. We ate at a restaurant in LaSpezia recommended by hotel staff the 2nd night, Antica Trattoria Sevieri, and it was excellent. We liked staying here because it was very close to the train station. It had been recommended by a friend who had already stayed there, and it exceeded our expectations. The breakfast was wonderful and the rooms were very nice. Our family was traveling together consisting of my husband, myself, and our 2 adult children. My only regret was that we had to book two rooms, because there were no rooms that could sleep 4 people. Added to that they put us on different floors. It just so happened that the 2nd night I got word via long distance telephone that my Father had passed away that day in the U.S. It would have been nicer if we could have at least had two rooms next door to each other. We could not be accomodated. I guess I should have requested that ahead of time. It was inconvenient for us in more ways than one. As it was my daughter had to go get my husband that night to come to my room (2 AM). Overall, we had a good experience. Next time I will make special requests ahead of time.

Guest name: Susan Jolley, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2006

This Hotel is so convenient to Train Station, it makes travel to 5 villages very easy. The lift was out of service on the day we checked out, this made it difficult to get luggage to ground floor as I am handicapped, walk with a limp. This did not cause too many problems and was easily offset by the friendly staff and great location.

Guest name: Ray Palmer, USA

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Aug 2006

Very good services quality. Very nice hotel staff who are resourcesful about information of the city. Very nice antique room decoration at a very convinenet which is near to the railway station. You can reach cinque terre very eaisly.

Guest name: AK, Hong Kong

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2006

This was a very nice hotel - clean and spacious - and very close to the train station. It was very convenient for travelling to the Cinque Terre.

Guest name: SB, USA

Average rating:  7.0

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2006

staff was not overly friendly or helpful. Air conditioning did not work, and it makes for very hot nights in July!! breakfast was a nice buffet.

Guest name: MB, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2006

The hotel was located only a few minutes from the train station, yet you could not hear the trains. Ideal location for travelling up and down the Cinque Terra. Nice restaurant across the street, close to self-serve laundry and town centre. Would not hesitate to stay at this hotel again!

Guest name: Bruce And Lynn Buchanan, Canada

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2006

The perfect base hotel for visiting Cinque Terre. Even more perfect to have a self-laundry service (with attendant) nearby. Plan to stay there again if I make another trip to the Italian Riviera.

Guest name: Wan-Lin Horng, USA

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2006

We loved the hotel, and would give it top marks except for one unfortunate thing. There were mosquitos. They bothered us, but they would not stop us from staying there again, as the accomodations are great, and the location unbeatable. Just wear repellent to bed, and keep windows closed when the lights are on.

Guest name: AA, Mexico

Average rating:  2.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2006

The only advantage to staying at this hotel is its close proximity to the train station. The room was very small, dark and in general unappealing. I would go so far as to say "dingy". The bathroom was so small the door would not open all the way

Guest name: Robert Levenstien, USA

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Mar 2006

good location for trains, many buses, and not too far from city center. Several nice restaurants in area, especially the one across the street.

Guest name: DG, USA

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Mar 2006

Excellent location for exploring cinque terre, the hotel is very close to the station and easy to find.

Guest name: John Atwood, Italy

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Mar 2006

GREAT place to stay! Very helpful and welcoming staff. Also, great location right across the street from the La Spezia Train Station -- easy access to Cinque Terra! Highly recommend!

Guest name: MB, USA

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Nov 2005

Overall..a very pleasant stay at this hotel. Very close to railway and easy walk to shops, reataurants etc. Reception on arrival a bit off-handed..no smiles...but otherwise everything was good, includung an excellent breakfast. A great base to use to explore the Cinque Terre area which is a must visit and easily accessable by rail with station across the road. Would recommend this hotel as good value.

Guest name: Roger Lukis, Italy

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2005

We loved this hotel, it is so quaint and beautiful, and our window opened to a fabulous view!! The town itself is wonderful. Just remember, they do not serve "american breakfasts" so if you don't like yogurt or cereal you may want to look for a place to get breakfast. I will definately go back!!

Guest name: Jennie Nicastro, USA

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Nice and good located if you arrive by train and you are interested to visit cinqueterre by train. No far also walking distance from downtown and piers. I will recommend this hotel to frinds that will travel to La Spezia in the future. Clean and good room and bath, and excellent american breakfast.

Guest name: Fernando Rusowsky, Chile

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

Tha breakfast was wonderful...we awoke each morning to the aroma of fresh baked goodies. We chose the hotel Firenze and La Spezia as home base as we explored the Cinque Terra for their proximity to the trains and were not disappointed.The town is alive with local activity (don't miss Market Day on Friday. We would definitely stay there again if visiting the Cinque Terra

Guest name: LD, USA

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

Wonderful location just steps from the train station. Room huge and very clean. Breakfast above average with an astonishing panoramic view from the breakfast room. La Spezia a charming town!

Guest name: JW, USA