This hotel is located right outside La Spezia from where you can easily visit the towns of Cinque Terre. La Spezia itself is just a 5 minute drive and from there you can go to the Cinque Terre towns by train or boat.

The hotel itself is nice, it has a nice parking facility across the street. The staff is incredible, they will help you with anything and there english is quite good (which is rare in Italy).

This family run establishment is quaint but 2 star at best. Having said that, I did give it an average rating because the staff tried so darned hard to please and make our stay better. The problem is that they are working with an outdated facility.

The location also seems far away from anything too. We were on our way to the Cinque Terre so that was fine.

Hotel Nella is a family owned business (you will meet the mother and son on premisis) and this goes far in my books. They are friendly, and the staff will assist where they can, even with english. This location is a pure community feel, and I suggest you try it. You can experience high mountain feeling, for a very reasonable price. The decor is very nice and clean. Parking is secure, and a few steps away. The rooms are small, but a balcony and common patio help you accept these limits. You can use this to visit Cinque Terra, and almost feel like one of those town's residence. Breakfast is limited, but fresh and fresh hot beverages made. One cool thing, you are part of the power conservation, the light are auto shut off, and when you walk around you turn the light you need, then they shut off. Free WIFI is modern, for those to connect. I go back again.

The Hotel Nella is an average hotel in the area but I beefed up my rating by one because they've got a such a nice staff, the price is very good compared to other places in the area, and they were very welcoming to my dog. Eighty euros got me a standard bedroom with space for a small desk, a loveseat and a bathroom. For one person and a dog it was plenty of space. The bed was typical european: firm but comfortable. There was storage built in around the bed which would be great for people staying more than a day or two. The bathroom was a good size with all the necessities and clean. The floor throughout was tile which got cold at night, but the Hotel Nella thoughtfully provided guests with slippers. Breakfast was included in the room price and was an extensive European breakfast. No complaints there. Parking was easy and free.
The staff was great throughout my short stay. The gentlemen who checked me in was welcoming and pleasant and also provided me assistance with the area. The woman who checked me out was just as pleasant and was very nice when I booked. Even the cleaning staff was very helpful.
One note--there isn't a lot immediately surrounding the hotel. It has a good access to hiking paths and is just a short drive from La Spezia and Riomaggiore, but there didn't seem to be much within easy walking distance. There is a pizzeria directly across the street and a cafe-bar and an osteria (which smelled incredible when I walked by) just around the corner. It is definitely not a bustling metropolis--which I saw as an advantage.
Bottom line, I wasn't looking for an extravagant hotel so Hotel Nella was perfect for me and my budget on this getaway. I will stay here again, but next time will probably request one of the rooms with a balcony.