Hotel Dell'Orto

A family-run hotel in the middle of Chiavari, Hotel Dell'Orto suits divers who want a proper town around them rather than a resort bubble. You can finish the day by the water, walk back through the centre, and still have a restaurant, bar and railway station close at hand. It is a practical base for an Italian Riviera break, with the beach nearby and the Cinque Terre within easy reach by train.

The atmosphere comes from warm colours, wooden furniture and parquet floors rather than polished theatrics. There is a shared lounge with a television, a lobby bar for a drink, and a restaurant downstairs for the sensible business of feeding yourself. English, Italian, German and French are spoken by the hotel team, so you can discuss arrival times, room arrangements and the occasional post-dive question without resorting to hand signals.

You are in Chiavari, Italy, on Via Vittorio Emanuele, in the heart of the town and close to the seafront. The nearest beach is about 0.03 miles away, with golden sand, sun loungers and parasols. The sea is therefore a short walk rather than a view to admire from a distant balcony.

Chiavari railway station is about 0.05 miles away, which is particularly useful if you want to explore without turning every excursion into a transport exercise. Trains connect Chiavari with Monterosso and the Cinque Terre in around 30 minutes. The town centre is about five minutes away on foot, while Libera Beach is roughly 0.5 miles away and Lavagna Beach about 1.3 miles away.

You have cafés and bars close by, including Enoteca Bisson, about 0.1 miles away, as well as restaurants such as Go Go Burger, Serendipity Cafè and Da Adam, all within roughly 0.1 miles. Casa Carbone is about 1.2 miles away, and Punta Manara is around 6 miles from the hotel for a change of scenery.

The rooms keep things straightforward: parquet floors, warm wood furniture, a private bathroom with shower, toiletries and hairdryer, plus a wardrobe and alarm clock. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel, while a desk, television and socket beside the bed cover the useful basics. It is the sort of setup that lets you shower, charge your phone and collapse without first having to decode a room full of clever gadgets.

For a couple, a double or twin room keeps the choice simple, with twin beds available when you prefer not to negotiate the night after a long day. The larger Deluxe Suite is the one to look at when space matters, particularly for a group of up to four: it has two bathrooms, which can save an astonishing amount of time when everyone returns at once. Triple rooms with three single beds also make sense for friends travelling together, without turning the sleeping arrangements into a daily puzzle.

Air conditioning is available in the hotel and in some room categories, while a fan is also provided. Choose your room carefully if cooling matters to you, as the room features are not identical across every category. Soundproofing, heating, a flat-screen TV and room service add a little more comfort when you decide that the sensible evening plan is shower, dinner and horizontal position.

Ristorante Dell'Orto covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can eat at the hotel without treating every meal as a logistical project. The cooking is Mediterranean, with fresh local ingredients, and the dining room is air-conditioned. There is also a terrace with panoramic sea views, giving you something better to look at than a dive computer while dinner arrives.

Breakfast is a buffet with continental, Italian, vegan and gluten-free choices. Half-board is available, which can work well when your days have a predictable rhythm and you would rather keep evenings uncomplicated. Room service is available during limited hours, while the hotel also has a snack bar, an on-site coffee house and fruit for smaller appetites.

There is one named bar: Bar Dell'Orto, a lobby bar specialising in cocktails and wine. Happy hour is available, and wine or champagne can also be ordered. The restaurant follows set service periods for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so early departures and late returns are worth planning around rather than assuming the kitchen operates on diver time.

The beach is close enough for a low-effort afternoon, with golden sand, sun loungers and parasols. If you still have energy after diving, the hotel can arrange access to activities on the water, including snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat excursions. Equipment rental is available, so you do not have to turn a gentle paddle into another piece of luggage.

On land, bicycles, hiking and cultural excursions give you ways to fill a surface interval without spending it in another chair. Portofino and the Cinque Terre are among the excursions available, and the nearby railway station makes the latter particularly practical. For a quieter option, the shared lounge and television area are ready for the classic post-dive debate about whether tomorrow should involve an early start.

Families can use the babysitting service and children’s menu, while family rooms are available. The hotel also has outdoor furniture and an outdoor dining area, useful when you want to sit outside without committing to a full expedition. There is a lot to do nearby, but the hotel does not require you to perform enthusiasm from breakfast until bedtime.

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport is about 23 miles away, with a driving time of around 45 minutes. An airport shuttle is available on request, and car hire can also be arranged. If you arrive by train, Chiavari station is roughly 0.05 miles from the hotel, making this one of those rare arrivals where the luggage does not get the final word.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 21:00, and you should tell the hotel your expected arrival time. A photo ID and credit card are required at check-in. Check-out is from 08:00 to 10:30. Express check-in and check-out, luggage storage and a lift serving the upper floors make the practical edges of the stay easier to manage.

Free WiFi covers the whole hotel. You also have a safety deposit box, reception safe, concierge service, wake-up service, laundry and dry-cleaning, with a doctor available on request. The property is non-smoking, and pets are not allowed. Children of all ages are welcome; cots and extra beds can be requested, subject to the selected room arrangement.