Hotel Costa - La Spezia

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Group

stayed in Apr 2008

clean rooms, good staff and discount -10% if you make the reservation online, in its web page

Guest name: AB, Spain

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Apr 2008

Is along walk from the train station if you have heavy bags as we did, but you can catch a bus from there, L or S line which drops you at Ospedale stop which is probably 600 metres away from Hotel. When we got there the very nice gentleman at the hotel, upgraded us free of charge to a room with a shower, and he spoke very good English. For 50 or so Euro a night this place is a bargain, easy walking distance to main street and bus stop to train Station, or 15 minute walk to Station. The rooms were clean, the staff very friendly and helpful and a great base to check out Cinque Terra, Portovenere, Boca De Mare and heaps of other places not on the tourist map. Will be staying in this hotel next time I go back

Guest name: Alistair Judd, Australia

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

We stayed in the Hotel Costa overnight before walking the Cinque Terre the next day. the room was good value for the price. Spacious, clean and tidy.

Guest name: JR, New Zealand

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

The owner seems to be busy with other projects so we waited for some time for service. However once in our room, we were pleasantly surprised by its size and condition. The hotel is close to the water so we could walk to the park and pretty waterfront. The bus is convenient for the train station and our ride to Cinque Terra was short. We were able to leave our car in the secure garage until we returned. We never found the breakfast room so opted to go around the corner.

Guest name: BP, Canada

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Suitable for a place to sleep and enjoy setting out for Cinque Terre by train, but not much more than basic needs provided. Certainly not a place to entertain you. One benefit is its close 5 min walking proximity to the boardwalk esplanade where boats come and go. Would have preferred somewhere about EUR 10-20 cheaper. Also wished we'd had time to see the maritime museums nearby.

Guest name: Steven McCormack, China

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Very enthusiastic and helpful manager made up for the fact that the hotel seemed to share its entrance with other businesses and that the public areas seems quite drab. We wanted to visit the Cinque Terra villages so on arrival, the manager suggested we park our car, catch the bus to the station and then the train to the Cinque Terra area - and worry about check in etc when we returned. Without his help and suggestions, we would not have had sufficient time. This definitely made our stay one that we will remember. Our room recently renovated, balcony to street (useful for photographs), and a new bathroom.

Guest name: Roderick THOMAS, Australia

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Oct 2007

I and my family are in this hotel , like at home I was in La Spezia often and I will come back to Costa's Hotel. Dott.Vincenzo Paolillo

Guest name: VINCENZO PAOLILLO, Italy

Average rating:  6.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2007

stayed in a double room with private shower. bathroom was very clean, nice shower with reliable hot water. mattresses were cheap and not that comfortable. welcoming and very good staff, a little bit hard to find at night. about a 20 minute walk from the train station.

Guest name: AM, USA

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

Very friendly staff. Great location for exploring La Spezia, close to public transport. Clean and comfortable.

Guest name: SS, Australia

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jul 2007

I expected far less from this 1 star hotel, instead, the rooms were clean and newly renovated, especially the bathroom, and location was relatively quiet and walking distance to the center and to the port, for the boat trip to the Cinqueterre.

Guest name: Theresa Plut, Germany

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Group

stayed in May 2007

This hotel should absolutely have more than one star. The host is very kind and communicative. The rooms are all clean and air-conditioned. In the basement there is a safe garage for cars. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone willing to visit La Spezia or Cinque Terre. In addition, there is a small restaurant nearby with young staff where you can eat a very good pizza.

Guest name: RAFAL LASZCZYK, Poland

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2007

It was difficult to find and we arrived late at night. The lobby is a little scary at night, but everything looked better in the daylight and the staff was very nice and helpful.

Guest name: BF, USA

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: 

stayed in Apr 2007

A little far out of the way. Just take bus S or L from the station in La Spezia and you'll be right there! Do NOT try and walk it like we did!! We bouoght some food and stored it in their fridge as the grocery store was right around the corner. Given the price of other accomodations and the convenience of getting around by bus, I would reccomend this property (not to women on their own though as port areas anywhere can get a little bit sketchy at night).

Guest name: Ian Grabina, Canada

Average rating:  5.3

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2006

This is a funny little place that involves a walk up some easy steps to the second floor of a commercial bld, a ring of the bell, opening an electric door, and entering a hallway. Sorta weird, but once there, we were greeted by the manager, shown our room and all was well. Its really just a place to sleep, and o.k. for the money. We got charged for the breakfast which was not a good deal, so avoid this is you can. We walked to the dock to visit cinque terra and its not more that a 15 minute walk. The neighborhood isn't scary, but its not a place you'd want to just stroll around. Take a cab or the bus from the train station, its a long walk.

Guest name: Alan Wilson, USA

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2006

excellent service and quality for a 1 star hotel!!! Very Friendly

Guest name: Dave Menard, Canada

Average rating:  7.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2006

La chambre spacieuse et propre, le lit beaucoup trop mou ou défoncé?? Salle de bain commune pas trés propre. Accueil sympathique. Le site indiquait un prix de 55€ ça a été 63...

Guest name: Jessica Normand, France

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: 

stayed in Sep 2006

We arrived a day earlier than our reservation stated (our error). The hotelier was extremely helpful in locating a room for 3 of us to stay in that evening, since his inn was full and so was most of the town. We are very grateful for his help!

Guest name: LM, USA

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2006

rooms not particularly clean, but very big, staff speak english and were helpful. hotel is quite close to the main street. however, we ordered a room with bathroom and were told on arrival that we could not have this, so we had to share a toilet. was not so bad though, and we never had to wait to use it. overall, the stay was quite good.

Guest name: Amelia Crisp, Australia

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jul 2006

Basically, we got what we wanted and wer content and happy.

Guest name: GK, Germany

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2006

Hotel excel on all the points - Personnel very sympatic and available - Room equipped very well and looked after

Guest name: Moreno DE CONTI, Switzerland

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2006

The room we booked said nothing about a balcony, but it was included and it was beautiful! I would of never normally stayed in a one star hotel before...but after my wonderful stay here, I am much more inclined on staying at more one stars, as opposed to spending much more for 3-4 stars that dont offer that much. I would highly recommend Costa to all !!!!!

Guest name: Jennifer Montiel, USA

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in May 2006

Very friendly environment. Easy access to boat excursion for Cinque terre and others. It is easy to go around town and visit the public market and other point of interest.

Guest name: Micheline Marion, Canada

Average rating:  7.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2006

The room is a bit dusty as there is renovation at the place. Gd room facilities for a one star hotel. Hotel staff is friendly and provides good service. He even helps me to carry my luggage to the room

Guest name: ML, Singapore

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2006

L'hôtel Costa est parfaitement situé pour visiter Gênes - une ville injustement méconnue - à quelques minutes à pied du dédale des vieux quartiers et des superbes palazzi rénovés. L'accueil est chaleureux, on regrette quand même la propreté "juste juste" des chambres et surtout le bruit si l'on donne sur l'avenue. Garage possible à proximité (15€). Une adresse proche vraiment "top" : "I tre merli", avec une carte des vins impressionnante.

Guest name: Philippe Ollivier, France

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Feb 2006

Accomodation was nice and clean the location was great. The breakfast was not quiet up to standards with other breakfasts along our travels in italy.

Guest name: Michael Arnold, Australia

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jan 2006

This one star hotel served our purpose which was to spend one night in La Spezia before moving on to Cinque Terre. Our room could have done with a thorough clean but it was very spacious and warm, once the heating was turned on. Good shower but no breakfast provided. Quite a distance from the railway station (a 30 minute walk).

Guest name: Phillip Johnstone, Australia

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Everything was as described. The only problem was the noise the toilet made. Every two minutes the toilet would make a burping sound that was loud enough to hear with the bathroom door closed. While showering or using the sink the noise was constantly happening. It occured with the hallway bathroom also. This made it difficult to sleep. Other than that the hotel was perfect.

Guest name: AM, USA

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

rooms were clean and as specified. Hotelier had some English ( we had less Italian)and was very helpful and provided us with a table and milk for our self supplied cereal and also supplied coffee although this wasn't always the hottest. Quite happy with this low/mid range accommodation.

Guest name: DR, Australia

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

rooms were clean and as specified. Hotelier had some English ( we had less Italian)and was very helpful and provided us with a table and milk for our self supplied cereal and also supplied coffee although this wasn't always the hottest. Quite happy with this low/mid range accommodation.

Guest name: DR, Australia

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

rooms were clean and as specified. Hotelier had some English ( we had less Italian)and was very helpful and provided us with a table and milk for our self supplied cereal and also supplied coffee although this wasn't always the hottest. Quite happy with this low/mid range accommodation.

Guest name: DR, Australia

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2005

We were very pleased to see a fair size room, very neat with a quite nice renovated bathroom. The location was fine as it is closed to Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.

Guest name: SS, Canada

Average rating:  3.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2005

room was dirty, needed a thorough clean. no lift to second floor. very noisy street and too hot to close window. no fan or airconditioning, too far from train station and city centre. We arrived on sunday afternoon, there was no food outlets or resturants open after 7pm (in a country who traditionally eats late). dont stay in this hotel. my only bad experience with interenet booking and the only time I used Venere.

Guest name: SS, Australia

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2005

A nice place to stay, basic but good value for money. It's about a 30 min walk from the train station so would recommend taking the bus or a taxi. Friendly owner who now speaks a little English!

Guest name: LJ, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jun 2005

Good for the price, a little noisy but well-situated in La Spezia. I would stay there again.

Guest name: JS, USA

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2005

Our only mistake in choosing this hotel was to walk from the station,towing our luggage instead of using a bus which would have taken us almost to the front door. One of your reader's comments at the time of booking gave the impression that breakfast was included in the tarrif, this is not the case, however the proprietor, understood the situation and honoured our booking with a basic breakfast. The room was very spacious, with a modern stylish and convenient bathroom. We were very pleased with the property and would use it again if in La Spetzia.

Guest name: Robert John Hoepner, Australia

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in May 2005

It is important to note that although breafast is offered, it is not included in the price. Also, the elevator in the lobby does not go to the rooms! I tried and went up and down a few times until someone told me that it just doesn't go there. It is a short walk to the harbor which houses a fairly large Naval fleet. It is a short drive to the beautiful Cinque Terre. The parking garage was full when we arrived so we had to find parking on the street (that took a while) and feed the meter. All in all it was fairly good value for the money and conveniently located for exploring the area.

Guest name: Catherine Crane, USA

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2005

The property was very good. Large room and pretty clean. Would definitely stay there again. It's a little ways from the train station but bus lines (N line? Most going by Costa are letter routes)can get you within a block.

Guest name: CM, USA

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2005

Convenient location in the heart of La Spezia. Good value for a short stay.

Guest name: CD, Australia

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2005

I really enjoyed my stay. The owner was friendly and helpful despite his limited English and my limited Italian. The room was spacious and clean. I would recommend the place for anyone who is planning a stay at La Spezia.

Guest name: Elyse Morin, Canada

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Apr 2005

Very good value but a half-hour walk to the Railway Station if exploring the Cinque Terre.

Guest name: Andrew Dyer, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Apr 2005

The hotel is situated aroud a 30 minute walk from the train station, generally as indicated. Unfortunately, the quality of the map provided on the internet made it impossible to read the street names when printed. Otherwise, in all other respects, the hotel was as described and exceeded all our expectations for comfort, friendliness, and location within this charming modern city. We would cheerfully return here. PS: check the gelateria Concadora around the corner for the best flavours around!

Guest name: Ronald Hachey, Canada

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2005

This hotel is basic but does what it says on the tin. The only real problem was the soundproofing in the hotel, there is none. New bedroom doors would not go amiss as these in themselves create half the noise. Prepare to be awake by 6.30. Other than that the hotel was as described.

Guest name: AM, Italy

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Mar 2005

For my purposes the right choice!!

Guest name: Frank Brauner, Germany

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2005

We stayed here during our visit to Chinque Terre region. Everything was as described except parking. The hotel owns garage but there was no space to leave our car there(our impression is that the garage is too small for all the guests). Nevertheless there was no problems to park our car on the main street just 2 minutes from hotel(plenty of space and parking is free of charge). The staff was friendly, rooms spaceous and clean. Much better than we expected. The showers in neighbouring rooms were too loud but that is more due to the plumming in La Spezia than to hotel itself. That was however small inconvinience. We would definetly recommend people to stay in hotel Costa if they decide to come to La Spezia which is really not a nice town. However, it is very convinient place for visiting rest of Italy (Florence, Pizza and Chinque Terre). Otherwise, there is nothing in the town itself and is very quiet in the night. From this perspective hotel is on a great location - close to road to highway so one can easily travel arround. All in all it is a greate basis for exploring that part of Italy.

Guest name: TT, Switzerland

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jan 2005

Great price, fair location. Excellent jump off place for Cinque Terre.

Guest name: JB, USA

Average rating:  6.4

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Dec 2004

Very basic, but ok for our needs. The owner did not speak english at all, so when we tried to change our reservation it was a little difficult. The room was exactly as it was described, and the relationship between price and quality was pretty good. A clean and decent (but very basic) room for a good price. We would stay again. A more descriptive map would be nice - we used mapquest to help us, and it was totally wrong.

Guest name: Christopher Duncan, USA

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Dec 2004

These rooms were large and comfortable. The washrooms had been recently renovated and were very clean. We had a bit of trouble finding the hotel - directions would have been helpful.

Guest name: MC, Canada

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Dec 2004

Good stay for acceptable price.

Guest name: OA, Switzerland

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Nov 2004

Good service, nice staff, but the breakfast was a little bit to "plastic"

Guest name: Jan-Erik Lundin, Sweden

Average rating:  4.8

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2004

Although we had booked through Venere.com the hotel had no knowledge of our booking. When we arrived there was no one around and we had to get the room key from the local pizzeria. There was no garage facilities and we had to park the car in a public car park. We had trouble finding somewhere to eat and ended eating up in the pizzeria (which we would recommend). Breakfast was eaten in the reception!!

Guest name: David Longley, Italy