Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most requested questions regarding Grand Hotel Portovenere and the Gulf Of Poets. If you can't find the answer you were looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone +39 0187 777 751.
Where is Grand Hotel Portovenere located?
Grand Hotel Portovenere is right at the entrance of the historic center of Portovenere, in front of the picturesque harbor where boats depart for the Gulf of Poets, Cinque Terre and beyond.
How far is Grand Hotel Portovenere from the airport?
Grand Hotel Portovenere is 95 km (59 mi) from Pisa International Airport "Galileo Galilei" and 120 km (74 mi) from Genoa International Airport "Cristoforo Colombo".
Do you offer airport transportation? What about transfers from/to La Spezia Train Station?
Yes, Grand Hotel Portovenere offers private transfers to/from airports, train stations and other places upon request.
How far is the Hotel from the center of Portovenere?
Grand Hotel Portovenere is less than a 2-minute walk from Portovenere's historic center and its bars, restaurants and shops.
How far is the Hotel from the beach?
The nearest beach clubs with sun loungers and parasols are 5 to 10 minutes walk from Grand Hotel Portovenere.
How far is Grand Hotel Portovenere from Cinque Terre?
Riomaggiore, the nearest of the Cinque Terre villages, is a 30-minute panoramic boat ride away. Scheduled boat rides frequently depart from Portovenere harbor between April and October. You can also reach the Cinque Terre villages by train from La Spezia train station.
How far is Grand Hotel Portovenere from La Spezia Train Station?
La Spezia Train Station is a 20-minute drive from Grand Hotel Portovenere. You can reach it by car, private transfer or public bus (line 11).
What are the driving and parking directions if I arrive by car?
Upon arriving at the panoramic viewpoint above Portovenere, take the first exit at the roundabout and follow the main road to the center. The garage is 1,5 km (0,62 miles) from the roundabout on the right side – under a stone gallery directly after the supermarket. You will also see an occupancy indicator light at the garage entrance. If a red light indicates that the garage is full, please disregard this, as our Guests have special reserved parking. Our staff will be pleased to meet you and help to take your luggage to the Front Office for check-in.
How can I make a booking for Grand Hotel Portovenere?
Bookings can be made online with only a few clicks through our official website www.portoveneregrand.com, or by telephone +39 0187 777 751 or email reservations@portoveneregrand.com.
Why is it better to book direct?
These are the advantages of booking directly with us:
- Complimentary breakfast with the best ingredients, including various local, organic and gluten-free products.
- Complimentary on-site garage.
- Upgrade upon availability at check-in.
- Access to PressReader, the digital newsstand with thousands of the world's most popular newspapers and magazines.
- When booking a massage or other special treatments, you have complimentary access to the humid zone at Portovenere Wellness.
If I book via my trusted travel advisor, do I still get all the advantages?
Yes, when you book through your preferred travel partners and advisors, we guarantee the best rate with breakfast and garage parking included, in addition to their individual guest amenity programs and benefits.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in at Grand Hotel Portovenere is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is until noon.
Is there parking at Portovenere Grand Hotel?
Yes, ours is the only covered parking available in Portovenere and around Cinque Terre. Read more about driving and parking directions.
What is the Hotel's smoking policy?
Smoking is only allowed on the balcony or terrace of rooms with outside areas. Smoking inside the room is not permitted.
Smoking in the outdoor areas of the restaurant is prohibited. Our staff will be happy to accompany you to the designated smoking areas.
What are the views?
Some rooms and the restaurant overlook the harbor of Portovenere and Palmaria Island. Some rooms face the Gulf of Poets. Some rooms overlook our peaceful internal courtyard embellished by lemon trees and other beautiful plants. Please read the room descriptions to check the exact view offered by each category.
Does the hotel offer accessible rooms?
Yes, accessible rooms are available upon request.
Are pets allowed at Grand Hotel Portovenere?
Upon request, only one small size pet is allowed per room, in selected room types. Kindly contact us before booking. An extra charge of 45,00€ per pet per night applies.
Dogs are not allowed during restaurant services. We are happy to arrange in advance for a dog-sitter.
Does Grand Hotel Portovenere have a private beach?
Grand Hotel Portovenere has partner beaches nearby and can exclusively offer its Guests the possibility to reserve beach beds and parasols around Portovenere and Palmaria Island.
Is breakfast included in all room rates?
When booking directly on our official website, by telephone or by email, breakfast is always included in the rate. Read more about our breakfast.
Does Grand Hotel Portovenere have a restaurant or bar on site?
Yes, both. Palmaria Restaurant is our pride, offering creative Ligurian and Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner. Venus Bar is the ideal place to have a drink and relax at any time of the day.
Can I dine or have a cocktail at the restaurant and bar if I am not staying in the Hotel?
Yes, the restaurant and bar are open to the public.
Is Room Service available?
Yes, room service is available for breakfast and with an all-day menu.
I have a food allergy. Does the restaurant provide low-allergen foods?
Yes, as part of the Italian Celiac Association (AIC), Palmaria Restaurant is attentive to the specific needs of its customers and offers gluten-free menus. The allergen food information is available on our menus.
Is there a dress code?
We kindly request Guests at Palmaria Restaurant to attend meals in formal attire, refraining from using t-shirts, tank tops, bathing suits, beach flip-flops and plastic sandals.
Formal attire is also kindly requested for Guests arriving at Venus Bar after 7 PM.
Does Grand Hotel Portovenere have a spa?
Just a few steps from our Hotel, Portovenere Wellness offers a humid zone; a relaxation area with herbal teas; a fitness room; and different beauty and wellness treatments.
Upon reservation, you can enjoy a massage in the comfort of your room.
Please note that the use of the wellness center and the gym is subject to availability. Advance booking is recommended by email wellness@portoveneregrand.com or by telephone +39 0187 791030.
Is there a pool?
No. We are a proud Dimora Storica, a historic property that once hosted the Convent of St. Francis in the 17th Century. Once designated as a historically protected building, it would have been impossible to compromise the Hotel's original architectural design by adding a pool.
What activities can I do near Portovenere Grand Hotel?
Some of the activities you can enjoy if you choose Portovenere as your base in the Gulf of Poets include:
- Boat tours in the Gulf of Poets, Cinque Terre, Portofino and beyond;
- Hiking and biking tours on Palmaria Island and in the nature parks of Portovenere, Cinque Terre and Montemarcello-Magra-Vara;
- Wine tasting and cooking lessons on-site at Grand Hotel Portovenere;
- Wine tastings at partner wineries in Cinque Terre and around the Colli di Luna area;
- Exclusive experiences by Grand Hotel Portovenere, such as the oyster tour in La Spezia and the Portoro & Carrara marble tours between Liguria and Tuscany;
- Well-being and beauty treatments at Portovenere Wellness Center;
- Art and shopping tours in Versilia, Florence, Portofino and other famous cities;
- Visiting museums and art exhibitions in La Spezia, Lucca and other notable cities;
- Experience traditional seasonal events such as the Palio del Golfo and the Madonna Bianca.
For more ideas, activities and inspiration, visit our blog Discover Portovenere.
