Hotel Belvedere is a compact, well-reviewed base in the harbour village of Portovenere, the quiet end of the Gulf of Poets. It sits at Via Garibaldi 26, on the main lane that runs through the village, which puts the park a minute away on foot, the Doria Castle about six minutes and the church of San Pietro about ten. The hotel is rated as a three-class property and scores 9.0 from 291 guest reviews, with location and staff both singled out as strengths. It is not a resort, and it does not pretend to be, but it gives you a clean, sociable base with a terrace and a view in a village where most of the charm is outside the front door. Rooms range from singles to sea-view doubles, triples and quadruples, and a free breakfast buffet is included. For travellers who want Portovenere as a quieter alternative to the busy five villages, or a place to rest between boat days and hikes, it is a practical, good-value choice.
Location and getting around
Portovenere is at the tip of the peninsula that closes the Gulf of La Spezia, and the village is reached by bus from La Spezia or by boat in the warm months. The hotel is on the main street, so you arrive on foot with your luggage from the bus stop area, and everything in the village is within a few minutes. The nearest main railway connection is not close, and the booking page puts Vezzano Ligure station about 25 minutes away by car, so plan your transfers rather than expecting a station at the door.
The rooms
The property lists single rooms, double rooms with a double bed, double rooms with a sea view, triple rooms with a sea view and quadruple rooms with a sea view. The standard doubles are around 183 square feet and sleep up to three, and the larger rooms go up to roughly 270 square feet. Air conditioning, free in-room WiFi, safes and an elevator are listed, and a terrace, a bar and a library are shared spaces. If the view matters, ask for a sea-view room when you reserve and confirm the floor.
Who it suits
Couples, solo travellers, small families and walkers who want a base on the Portovenere side of the coast. Dogs up to about 33 pounds are allowed, which is helpful if you are travelling with a small pet. Parking is not offered according to the booking page, although a guest review mentions paid parking in front of the hotel, so confirm arrangements with the hotel before you drive.
Good to know
Check-in runs from 2 in the afternoon to 8 in the evening and after-hours check-in is not available, so tell the hotel your arrival time if you are coming late by bus or boat. Check-out is at 11, and late check-out carries a fee. In low season some Portovenere restaurants and boat services reduce or close, so confirm that the hotel is open on your dates and check the sailing schedules if you plan to use boats.
Why stay here
- ✓Free breakfast buffet
- ✓Free in-room WiFi
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Terrace
- ✓Bar
- ✓Library
- ✓Elevator
- ✓Sea-view rooms
Good questions
How far is Hotel Belvedere from Doria Castle?+
About six minutes on foot according to the booking page, with the park a minute away and the church of San Pietro about ten minutes.
Is breakfast included?+
Yes, a free breakfast buffet is listed. Check the terms of your chosen rate when you reserve.
Is there parking?+
The booking page says no parking is offered, though one guest mentions paid parking in front of the hotel. Confirm with the hotel before you drive.
