Serviced Apartment La Francesca - Bonassola

5.0

Why stay at La Francesca? It is not close enough to Levanto or Bonassola to walk there at night and cabs are expensive, if they are even available, which many times they are not. The hotel restaurant is not a good value. In a country of great food, this was the worst meal we had. It wasn't bad food, it just wasn't good. The room was okay from a cleanliness perspective but a curt warning on your "welcome" package tells you to leave the place spotless or they'll charge you. I thought this was offensive. The straw that broke the camel's back for us though was this: we were trying to understand train schedules at the check-in desk and the woman working there told us to leave because we're 'bothering' her and she couldn't do her work. I thought guests were important, but hey that's just me. Stay in Levanto or any other town in Cinque Terra. You will NOT save money by staying at La Francesca, when you factor in cab rides and poor service.

6.4

The area surrounding La Francesca was beautiful and it is probably a good choice to stay if you are traveling with a car. However, if you are without a car, like we were, La Francessca is remote and inaccesible.It is very difficult to get a cab from Levanto after 6pm and we spent about nearly 100 euros getting to and from La Francessca in our four days visit( and we walked down into Bonassola every morning.)

8.1

absolutely beautiful location, great views and easy access to Cinque Terre hiking. Cottage style offered no services whatsoever, including no breakfast. Did have a lovely dinner in their restaurant.

9.2

The location is perfect between Levanto and Bonnasola with an 8 min drive to either. Catch the train to Cinque Terra at Levanto. Most of the bungalows have an unrestricted view of the ocean, but all have large verandas. Swimming pool is great just like the pictures, but ALL swimmers must wear a bathing cap (avail at the pool for sale). Private beach has great snorkling. Didn't try the restaurant, reservations required, limited menu and prices higher than in town but very convenient. Minimart has food, drinks and other essential items at reasonable prices. Reception/checkin was excellent, friendly and informed. Lots of local brochures with train and ferry schedules available. Bar was casual, friendly and a good place to hang out and meet other guests. This was an oasis in an area full of high priced, crummy hotels with no parking. Perfect for the 3 days we stayed. Totally relaxing and THE VIEWS spectacular. Lots to keep kids busy, but little ones need watching since the resort is clinging to the side of a cliff. A bottle of Chianti on the veranda, looking over the ocean as the sun goes down became our daily ritual.

3.9

we are US military couple from southern italy, and have made reservations w/Venere on eight occasions. This is the first time we have been very UNHAPPY with the Hotel. La Francesca was a beautiful location, however upon arrival the cabin was dirty. There were 2 adult couples, 4 adults and there was only one bedroom with 2 futon twins in the living room. There was no one at the reception, it was a selfservice check in, so we had to call and wait for the night watch. Carlos, the night watch, was very kind to move us into a larger cabin. The second cabin, was a little bigger, a little cleaner but still two twin beds and spiders everywhere! However, upon check out the price quoted on the web was disputed with the receptionist and she said that we had to pay the difference of the larger cabin. I tried to explain that the pictures providied on Venere and that the size considered for adults and prices did not match with the web. The lady was very mean and told us to check on her website (la francesca) first before reserving in order to check on exact prices. Will never go to La Francesca again! Verify prices before making a reservation there, also if you do make a reservation, and you arrive at night, be weary of arriving to no reception!

8.9

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent stay at La Francesca. My boyfriend and I stayed at La Francesca for three nights while we hiked in the Cinque Terra during the day. The staff is very helpful- they had much information about how to get around, things to do, etc. They even translated a marriage proposal so that my boyfriend could propose to me in Italian!!!

9.7

View from our villa was not exactly as pictured but was wonderful anyhow. I would stay again at La Francesca.

8.4

La Francesca was very beautiful. The facilities were nice. They were repaving the road near our villa. That woke us up each morning, but I don't expect that to be a persistant problem with this place--just bad timing with our vacation. Also, it was between 15-20 euro per trip from the train station to La Francesca and back, which added up since we were visiting Cinqua Terre each day we were there. Be sure to schedule a taxi (Germano), otherwise you may get stranded at the train station. Budget in 40 euro per day extra for cabs to the train station + 5.20 euro for the Cinqua Terre train/foot pass.