Hotel Riviera dei Fiori

This hotel has a bright and breezy atmosphere throughout as well as interesting design features, like antique road bikes mounted in the hotel's lobby beside rows of bookshelves. The bikes are a nod to Gianni Cozzi, a local entrepreneur who helped create the 24-kilometer bike path that runs past the hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows and neutral-tone seating give the common areas an airy vibe that runs through the lobby, the restaurant, and bar, all of which are arranged in a two-story circle -- a design scheme that feels modern and vintage at the same time. Colorful mood lighting in the Spa Jaracanda looks sharp against light marble and granite tiles, and there is a gorgeous terrace that offers panoramic views of the sea, marina, and town. Guests here are mostly couples, though some families pass through as well.

The beachfront Hotel Riviera dei Fiori is in the heart of western Liguria, on a private road just outside of San Lorenzo al Mare. The Marina di San Lorenzo is adjacent, as is the bike path that leads to Ospedaletti, a neighboring coastal town. It takes around 10 minutes to walk to San Lorenzo's town center, where guests can find shops and restaurants, but there isn't much in the immediate area in the way of entertainment or activities. The town of Cervo is within a 20-minute drive, while Alassio and Sanremo are less than 40 minutes away by car. The prehistoric Balzi Rossi Caves take around 50 minutes to reach by car, and France's Cote d'Azur (the French Riviera) begins just beyond that (Nice takes a little over an hour to reach by road). The Cote d’Azur Airport and Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport are both around an hour and 10-minute drive from the hotel.

Sea tones and light wood flooring create an immediately elegant and modern atmosphere in guest rooms, with large sliding glass doors letting in plenty of Mediterranean light to make rooms feel airy and bright. Tan leather padded headboards look vintage and chic against soft blue glass accent walls, and furniture throughout has classic Italian lines. Framed maritime photos complete the seaside ambience. All air-conditioned rooms have terraces with seating and wonderful sea or garden views, as well as flat-screen TVs and minibars. Suites offer extra, separate living space plus stylish sepia-toned photo murals of things like nautilus shells, while whitewashed wood beams add a rustic quality to the spaces. Brown mosaic tile adorns the contemporary bathrooms, with white oval sinks and heated towel racks. Glassed-in tile showers feature rainfall showerheads, and high-end toiletries are provided.

A long, seasonal private beach is the highlight for most guests here, and the hotel hosts lively beach parties on certain weekend nights. Rooms include beach access plus chairs and umbrellas, but some guests have reported having to pay for towels. There is no on-site pool or fitness center. Sophisticated Ligurian and Mediterranean cuisines are served at the Le Camelie Ristorante, which also has a bar with a wide selection of wines. A free breakfast is served here as well, which includes cakes, fruit, cheeses, ham, and biscuits. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The full-service Spa Jaracanda offers a hot tub and sauna in addition to a steam room, but reservations are required and there is an hourly fee. Additionally, spa staff are on-call and not on-site at the spa. The hotel has bicycles for rent, an especially nice feature given the lovely coastal bike path that sits just outside. A computer is provided for guest use and small pets are allowed with a daily fee. Free Wi-Fi is offered in addition to free garage and outdoor parking.