Hotel Carla - Levanto

9.8

Carla is a swanky little charmer! Walking from the train station through the quaint and colorful streets of Levanto, the last thing you expect to see is the neo-modern, black & white interior of Carla beckoning you through open doors. I'm guessing you won't resist: the decor is so tastful and appealing that one is compelled to order a glass of Champagne at check-in. This is a wonderful hotel, and Levanto was a perfect place to stay to explore the Cinque Terra area. Like others I am reluctant to expose this overlooked gem, but when we visted the "five towns" we were so glad we were not staying there. Levanto has it's share of tourists but not as many Americans as the Cinque Terre towns. You decide if that's good or bad. The beach is fabulous (at least in September), there is a wonderful wine bar/shop off the main plaza toward the beach that serves free appitezers with each order of wine, and there is good shopping down the maze of narrow streets downtown. If you need to do laundry, do it up right and order a bottle of Champagne at the nearby eatery of Cafe Gildia to enjoy while you wait. We loved everything about Hotel Carla and Levanto!

7.9

Bathroom too small

7.1

Our room was very small not at all as shown on the propectus.

3.3

The hotel was a little hard to find and it took a good 15-20 minute walk. It's a good thing it was a little light as it's not very well lite around the hotel. Guy in front lobby always looked like he was in a terrible mood, I think he was the owner. It seemed I was bothering him when I asked questions. I had dinner at the hotel the first night and hated it as it gave me indigestion. Old woman in the morning, I think she was the owner's mother, kept bothering me to take dinner at the hotel. I speak Italian fluently and heard her making snide remarks about me eating at breakfast so I should eat their set dinner menu at a specific price. I didn't like how she kept bothering me that I didn't eat. In fact we all know hotels make money on these meals. I ate very well at all other areas. The sea food in the cinque terra region is excellent. I would not recommend this hotel as it seemed further away from the train station and a little dark at night. Staff not friendly and as a single travel I felt extremely uncomfortable at this hotel. I've been treated a lot better elsewhere. Also I not sure if it was the owner's dog but it kept barking for hours at night.

9.9

I stayed at the Hotel Carla for 3 days in September of 2008 and had a wonderful stay! The location was very close to the train station and was easy to find with the signs (only 10 minute walk). The staff was great and our stay couldn't have been better in Levanto. For the price and location, this hotel is the best. The restaurant they have in the hotel has dinner that includes a 3-course meal and the food is wonderful for only 20 euros. I would stay here again for sure and recommend this hotel if you are looking for a nice hotel that is resonably priced. GREAT HOTEL!!!!!!!

9.3

Somewhat small rooms but newly renovated and clean. Personnell is very friendly and helpful. Good surroundings. Close to supermarket, beach and railway station.

9.8

Very friendly hotel and nice staff. Breakfast was good. Levanto is a perfect place to stay when visiting Cinque Terre - actually a better choice than staying in one of the five villages.

6.9

We liked our stay in this Hotel, parking was in the streets and in walking distance for railwaystation and beach. The service was excellent and the dinner they made for us was very good and tasty and not expensive at all, only 20 Euro for a 4 course. We disliked that the rooms were so small, could hardly get into the bathroom !!

6.8

The room we hade did have a balcony but the actual room was small, making it hard to fit in the two suitcases we had. The bathroom was very small and the dual toilet/bidet was terrible, howeever, the staff were fantastic and were welcoming and very helpful. We were travelling with others and there rooms were larger and the bathrooms better than the one we had.

5.5

well located hotel close to railway station, supermarket close by. bit noisy at times.

5.5

the rooms are extremely small and anyone over 5ft 10 would have trouble using the toilet. The staff are very nice and friendly and it is quite well located.

7.9

I would definitely stay at the Hotel Carla again...it was convenient to both beach and train station, staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and rooms were clean. I would not recommend taking the half-board as dinners were rushed, selections limited and much better quality restaruants are available in Levanto or a short train ride into Vernazza.

7.5

We stayed in November, when hotel and town were both very quiet. Staff speak little English but were friendly and helpful when approached in bad Italian. Meals included in half board price were pretty good and reasonable variety during our stay. Single rooms small but comfortable.

5.8

Our room was extremely small with one window that looked out onto a rather derelict and uncared for area. We got used to the size of the room but not the minute and very poor bathroom facilities. The toilet and bidet were so placed as to make it impossible to sit on the toilet except sideways! The trim of the rather grubby shower cubicle fell off every time we showered and the flow of water was minimal.In a strange kind of way we got attached to this quirky room; the bed was very comfortable. Given the reasonable price of our four night stay may be we should not complain too much!

6.7

hotel management was cold and unfriendly consistantly, room was tiny but adequate, no ac and the room got hot, very noisy/we could hear the personal goings on in other rooms and other buildings (our room was above the kitchen on the side of the hotel), breakfast was excellent and the breakfast room was lovely, hotel very convenient to train station and the city center and a very convenient base to get to Cinque Terre, Levanto was a lovely town as well but the beaches were extremely crowded; we stayed 4 days

5.5

Not bad, Breakfast is great, no room fan, bathroom is clean but very tight for space.

9.3

The room was a little on the small side, but comfortable and clean. The breakfast was diversified and tasty as were the lunches and excellent dinners. Great value for the money; i would recommend this Hotel to anyone. The location was handy to the train station and an enjoyable walk to town and beach areas. The only major complaint is the neighbours dog howling at night. A bylaw should be passed to muzzle such dogs.

2.9

Bathroom minute and was not cleaned on second day. Bedroom small without room for case. Only plug available was high in wall by tv. Furniture cheap. Hairdryer not provided. Poorest hotel we have stayed in for a long time.

6.1

the room in the summer months requires air conditioning. there was no mention of a restaurant on the web page which was excellent value and very generous in helpings. staff could not speak (or did not attempt) to speak english which made it a little difficult to find out about restaurant and price of meal.

7.9

This is a difficult property to rate. There are no big plusses or minusses. It was comfortable & clean & the food reasonable. The rooms a little small & the bathroom not for an obese person but this is not unusual for 2&3 star hotels throughout Europe. The location is ideal being less than 10 minutes from both the town & railway station, an important factor when getting to the Cinque Terra i.e 5 towns. Levanto is not one of the 5 towns but is so close that you only add one station to any journey. It is also the start point for other walks. It is our impression that Carla is a hotel which is yearly patronised by the same people.

9.8

The Carla is close to everything in Levanto which is just a few miles north of the Chinque Terra. The local train to the five towns is very close by, and the town of Levanto itself is very nice. This is a good hotel to stay at to be close to everything in this region of Italy. Overall, this was a good place to stay, the breakfast which was included was very good. We also founfd out that dinner is included if you stay in July. The meals at dinner were ok, and we ate there sometimes for dinner, but we also ate dinner at some of the local restaurants which are very good. We really enjoyed our five days in Levanto and the Chinque Terra, love those topless beaches. The Carla is located so you can see everything easily in this region.

3.2

The rooms were tiny and extremely cramped. We hardly had room to move around. The shower in one bedroom was not in the room with the toilet and sink. The walls were paper thin and it was difficult to sleep. We would not recommend or stay at this property again. It was overpriced.

6.9

This was a very decent hotel. It's like a very good 2-star hotel. The rooms were serviceable but had no character. I am not a particularly large person, but the shower was intensely tiny. I had to turn sideways to enter or exit, and the shaving of legs was a near impossibility. Unthinkable with water running. The food was solidly mediocre. I enjoyed the fact that many Italian travellers stayed there. It was very child friendly and small-pet friendly. It was a little further from the hubbub than we would have liked. Also, it's very helpful to have a working comprehension of the language. They do not seem to get many English speakers. Not a big deal for us, but maybe those who wish to speak only English may need to find another place.

8.4

Aside from a lack of english language skills (or german for that matter), the staff of the Carla was attentive and helpful. The Hotel has the feel of a good beach hotel on the US East Coast of 1960s or 1970s vintage (pre-air conditioning).

8.2

A good down to earth hotel, very clean with excellent food. Good base to explore the area from.