La Scala Vernazza CinqueTerre

Our stay in Vernazza was wonderful. The property was spacious, exactly as described, and the communication/check-in process was seamless. We especially appreciated the honest description about the steps so we knew what to expect ahead of time. The host was incredibly accessible and responsive throughout the stay. Even though she provided detailed instructions and photos before arrival, I still had a little trouble finding the property at first. She immediately reached out on WhatsApp and walked me through it, which was greatly appreciated after a long travel day. Waking up to the sounds of birds and the sea instead of the train was peaceful and relaxing — such a beautiful way to experience Vernazza. The washing machine was also incredibly helpful for those packing light, which we highly recommend given the stairs and luggage carrying involved. Just be sure to bring your own detergent. The tea kettle was a nice touch, and being able to hang laundry outside to dry was another great perk. Overall, a lovely stay and a great home base for exploring Cinque Terre.

A few things to be aware of: the property is one flight of stairs above a bar, so there was some noise at night until around midnight. It wasn’t terrible, but at times slightly noticeable. The room was also a bit cold during cooler evenings, and we weren’t able to adjust the temperature ourselves. That said, we had fleeces and warm socks, so it was manageable, and I’m confident the host would have helped had we reached out. There was also a moka pot available for coffee, which was a nice touch, but no coffee provided. Totally understandable given the many great local cafés nearby, but if you’re an early riser, you may want to bring your own since most shops don’t open until around 7am. The steps can definitely feel like a workout after a long day of hiking, but that’s part of the reality and charm of Cinque Terre. Pack light, bring some patience, and take your time — it’s well worth it once you settle in and enjoy the beauty of Vernazza.

Great location, incredibly clean!

Lots of stairs to get to apartment, completely fine if your fit.

Great location and apartment. The bar downstairs didn’t bother us. There are steep stairs up to the apartment but you can take alternative routes up to the castle and then come down a couple of steps to the apartment if you are bothered.

You know in advance that the bathroom is on the other side of the hall so you can’t really complain about that.

Location and communication - they sent all the institutions via WhatsApp of how to find a place and check in.

Cleanliness - not clean (trash bins weren’t all emptied, not all towels were changed and the sheets smelled a bit; in general there was a smell in the apartment and hallway). The bathroom is not en-suite (the site doesn’t mention that), so you have to go out of the room. Also, their booking.com site says check in is from 10:00am, we arrived at 12:00 (asked if that’s okay, they said yes), and the apartment wasn’t ready, which wasn’t a problem, but they didn’t fully clean after we left our bags. For the price they charge, this was not a good experience.