Hotel Il Nido

The first impression of Hotel Il Nido might be one of inconvenience, as travelers must descend winding stairs from the street with suitcases in hand to reach the reception area. And that's not where the steps stop, as terraces, the bar, and beach all require walking down lots of steps. On the plus side, that allows for beautiful ocean vistas from some rooms and many furnished decks. Travelers should expect little in terms of style here, as rooms and most common areas are low on frills, albeit contemporary. Some vibrant stripes on lobby walls and potted plants at the bar add some character. As the small beach area is private, the atmosphere is also relaxed and quiet here, making it a good spot for couples and low-key families. 

Situated about 25 minutes southeast of La Spezia (the provincial capital), Hotel Il Nido has a private beach location just outside the center of the small town of Tellaro. Although a largely sleep area, there are a handful of well-regarded restaurants within a five- and 10-minute walk. Day-trip opportunities also abound. An hour’s drive south is the popular city of Pisa, while a 60-minute drive takes travelers to the five picturesque villages that make up the Cinque Terre. The nearest major train station is 20 minutes away by car in Sarzana. Pisa International Airport is about a 60-minute drive from the hotel. Free outdoor parking is available here, as is covered parking for a fee.

Il Nido offers accommodations in two buildings (the main one and an annex) which face each other across a narrow roadway. Room range from Economy Rooms to kitchenette-equipped apartments, though all are largely done in a similarly low-frills style. Expect simple wooden or metal furniture, walls painted a cheery peach or lavender, wood floors, and little more than a mirror for decoration. That said, they’re clean and comfortable, and come with air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs, desks, closets with small safes, and free Wi-Fi. No kettles are provided. Brighter shower-only bathrooms with bidets are also standard across the board. Furnished balconies above the Gulf of Poets and Porto Venere, unfortunately are not, so it’s wise to read the fine print regarding the outlook before committing to a specific room. Bathrooms have shower stalls, bidets, hairdryers, and toiletries.

Family Rooms come with bunk beds, while the two apartments have dining tables, kitchenettes, and couches.

Certainly the highlight here is Il Nido’s private beach. Although small and pebbly, the beach is pretty and there are several terraces along the hillside with loungers. Free beach towels (with deposit), and use of changing cabins and kayaks are additional perks. A shaded beachside bar serves light lunches and expected libations from June through September. Just beware that guests must climb down many stairs to reach the water. Back at the hotel proper is a second bar and a breakfast room with a wall of panoramic windows. A free breakfast buffet is served here each morning, consisting of the typical baked goods, cold meats and cheeses, cereal, fruit, and coffee. Dinner is not served here, so guests will need to dine outside of the hotel. A small indoor wellness area has a sauna and hot tub for guests to use, plus a room for massage treatments. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and a guests computer is available.