Residenza Punta Est, Finale Ligure…

As if all of the offerings on the French Rivera weren’t enough, within 90 minutes, driving east on the autoroute we were on the Italian Rivera, in the engaging town of Finale Ligure.

We stayed at a charming hotel perched up on the hill above the sea called Residenza Punta Est. The original part of the hotel was an 18th century villa used as a summer residence by a famous musician/ composer from Milan. Over the years, tasteful additions have been added.

Here is the view of the hotel from the sea,

but, more importantly, here is the view of the sea from the hotel:

and a cappuccino I hoped would never end!

Day and night the view continued to entrance us.

The “castle” seen to the left is a private residence with an elevator which goes down to the sea level. 

The pebbled terrace where they serve a breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner is eternally inviting.

They don’t have an extensive menu, just a few course options each day, but everything we tried was fresh and deliciously prepared.

There is also a lower terrace off of a charming old~world bar where there is music in the evenings.

A great place to pause for snacks and cocktails or after dinner drinks {yes, that view can been seen from there too.}

This area has been populated since the neolithic times and is filled with caves and other signs of early dwellings.  I’m not sure of the history of the very cool and craggy grotto in the lower part of the hotel, but it feels like it’s been there for quite some time. Aside from the comfortable seating there is a wooden hot tub, cool tub and a shower. A great place to chill when the temperatures soar {or anytime, really}.

Caio bellas!