Hotel Astoria La Spezia
by the TopOfHotel team
A central 3-star near the station where the free buffet breakfast is what makes the price work — built for Cinque Terre day trips.
A central 3-star near the station where the free buffet breakfast is what makes the price work — built for Cinque Terre day trips.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Rooms at the Astoria are classic and simple rather than designed, and they come up clean in most reviews. You get air-conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. The footprint is compact, which is normal for an older European building, so set expectations accordingly. One useful detail: the rooms at the rear are quieter than the ones facing the street, so it is worth asking for one when you book.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is included in the rate and served as a buffet — cornetti, a range of breads, cheese and ham, and espresso. It opens at 6:30, which matters if you want the first train out. Beyond that, amenities are deliberately basic: free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and parking at a nearby lot for an extra fee. There is no gym and no pool, so if those are on your list this is not the place.
Location and getting there
The Astoria sits 250 m from La Spezia Centrale station, a 3-4 minute walk, which is the whole point of basing yourself here — the Cinque Terre train leaves from that station and runs to all five villages. You are also close to Via del Prione, the main shopping street, with plenty of local restaurants nearby, and the Porto Mirabello harbour is 12-15 minutes on foot if you want a ferry to Portovenere instead.
Things to know before booking
The rooms are small and the elevator is small too, which makes hauling large suitcases up a bit of a chore. There is no gym or pool, and parking is off-site at a nearby lot with an added fee rather than included. None of this is hidden — it is a budget-friendly 3-star doing the basics well, not a hotel trying to be more than that.
Our take
Book the Astoria if you want high value, a central spot near the station and breakfast in the price, and you are fine without extra facilities. The 8.4/10 score and the $71 starting rate tell the story: this is a sensible, well-placed base for working through Cinque Terre by train.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Rooms start from $71 a night with breakfast included — strong value for somewhere this central in La Spezia.
- Just 250 m from La Spezia Centrale station, a 3-4 minute walk, so the train to Cinque Terre is right there.
- The included Italian buffet breakfast covers cornetti, a range of breads, cheese and ham, and proper espresso.
- Staff speak good English and reviewers describe them as attentive and friendly.
- Walkable to Via del Prione and a stretch of local restaurants, with the Porto Mirabello harbour 12-15 minutes on foot.
- Rooms are compact, typical of an older European building.
- The elevator is small, which is awkward with large suitcases.
- No gym and no pool — this is a straightforward stay, not a resort.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near La Spezia
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around La Spezia — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Breakfast opens at 6:30, so you can eat before catching the first Cinque Terre train.
- Ask for a room at the rear — it is quieter than the street-facing side.
- Parking is at a nearby lot and costs extra, so confirm the arrangement when you book.