You might have heard Cinque Terre described as the lesser-known alternative to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Both comprise a group of towns made up of pastel-hued buildings clinging to the side of the cliff face. However, where the Amalfi Coast is refined and luxurious, set up to cater to jet-setting clientele, Cinque Terre is altogether more rustic and better suited to hikers than it is posers.

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Located on the northwest coast of Italy, Cinque Terre is the name given to a string of five villages—Monterosso, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore—which have gained a reputation for their stunning scenery and remoteness. Indeed, part of the Cinque Terre’s appeal is that it’s so difficult to reach, requiring at least two different trains from Pisa. Once you are there, it’s strictly no cars, which means more trains or long walks between the villages await you. This also explains why there’s a lack of five-star stays here in contrast to its southern cousin. Instead, you’ll find a handful of small boutique hotels, each with their own family-run charm.

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Those who feel more at home amongst the yacht-crowd can always stay up the coast at Portofino and hire a boat to visit Cinque Terre, which are best seen from the water anyway. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, you might want to consider the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, located in Portofino. This princely albergo on the Ligurian coast was built as a Benedictine monastery and is now adorned with pink azaleas on almost every balcony from which guests can take in postcard views of Portofino Bay, glimmering and viridian.

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The hotel has been updated since then; last year, Splendido reopened with the main building completely renovated, after a multi-year floor-by-floor update led by designer Martin Brudnizki, whose signature maximalism takes on a gentler, subtler play—more perfume than syrup—by using lavenders, celadons, and Alice blues to paint the interiors with a pleasingly soft handsomeness. Outside, the redone saltwater pool shimmers with new tiles color-matched to the sea, and the open-air restaurant La Terazza is as perfect a spot as ever, serving trofie al pesto and spritzes on its perch high on the hill.

Another option for those seeking a more luxurious experience is the Palazzo Durazzo, located in Genoa. It’s a one-hour-40-minute drive north of the Cinque Terre, but to base yourself at Palazzo Durazzo is well worth it. More than a hotel, this is the signature project of Emanuela Brignone Cattaneo and her husband Giacomo Cattaneo Adorno, whose family owns the Palazzo. It’s aligned with a larger citywide regeneration effort that aims to return Genoa to its status as one of Europe’s great capitals.

In the same family for 400 years, this Baroque pile on the waterfront has been rescued and elegantly adapted into a lavish boutique hotel that sets a new standard for luxury in a city that was in dire need of a refresh. With 12 suites furnished with museum-quality antiques, a number of which are adorned with knockout Baroque frescoes, Palazzo Durazzo is more than sumptuous accommodations—it tells the history of a city that was once a maritime and banking power rivaled in grandeur only by Venice.

For those who prefer the comfort of civilization and want to avoid the gamble on a boutique hotel or guesthouse, the nearest five-star base is The Grand Hotel Portovenere. The prized spot sits in the town of Portovenere, from which you catch ferries and private boats to reach Cinque Terre, Portofino, La Spezia, and the Gulf of Poets. Originally a 17th-century convent, it has been lovingly renovated and modernized, with brightly colored bedrooms and a fabulous rooftop restaurant specializing in local dishes.

Cinque Terre is a destination that’s perfect for those who want to escape the crowds and experience the authentic Italy. With its stunning scenery, charming villages, and delicious local cuisine, it’s a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Italy. And with its range of boutique hotels and guesthouses, there’s something for every budget and style.