I selected this hotel because I couldn't get a room in Cinque Terre. But I am glad it turned out that way. I actually liked being in La Spezia since it was full of Italians and few other tourists, so it had a certain authenticity.

The hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the train station, a 5 minute walk to a large supermarket and under 10 minute walk to a laundromat. It is also situated just off of the main traffic free walk zone/street.

They provided me with a room that did not face the street, and was non smoking, both as requested. I was able to use the internet for free (if under 15 minutes, which was fine). The breakfast was in a nice room and had breads, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, yogurt to choose from. There is also an outdoor patio to eat on if the weather permits. The washroom was a good size and functioned well. The bed was firm (as i like it).

The only issues were that the room is slightly outdated and could be better lit. Also the sound from other rooms travels, as there were a couple of younger individuals across the hall who were talking loudly and that I could hear, however, once I got to sleep I was fine. Although not an issue for me, some may find the elevator to be small (only room for 1 and tight squeeze with a suitcase)

The hotel manager verbally abused us at 12:30am when we rang from the Cinque Terre requesting him to call a taxi in the town we were staying,after finding out the train was delayed by 45 minutes.

After catching an unexpected train home not long after the call was made (due to shady characters occupying the train station), we were again, verbally abused at reception by the hotel manager, who was then demanding money. Insisting we would sort it all out in the morning, we returned to our rooms. By this stage it was after 1:30am.

Waking to a banging knock at the door, we were approached by the hotel manager and a very angry taxi driver demanding money and threatening to call the police. Scared for our safety, we reluctantly handed over the money-we were all alone, he could've done anything!

Needless to say, we were extremely frightened by the whole incident and will NOT be staying at Hotel Genova, nor recommending it to anyone. Who brings complete strangers up to the room of two young girls at that hour??? What would he have done if we refused to give him the money... or didn't have it????

The hotelier was so rude and literally yelled at people staying at the hotel. We asked the person behind the desk to book us a taxi, which we ended up cancelling. In the middle of the night the hotelier and the taxi driver came up to the room of two of the girls who had booked the taxi and DEMANDED that they open the door and pay the taxi driver anyway. They stood at the door screaming at the girls until they had to pay the taxi driver to go away. Afterwards the girls saw the taxi driver and hotel staff sitting having a coffee together. Needless to say that the girls were terrified. The behaviour from the staff was terrifying and simply unnaceptable.

Stayed 2 nights, arrived without reservation and a rental car, as other have mentioned, they have a garage a few hundred meters away. Our room was on the top floor with a slanted roof, it didn't bother us as it was clean and quiet. Great location, I love the pedestrian areas around it.