Italian Riviera?

Portofino itself is hugely expensive, maybe even deservedly so, but apart from being absolutely wonderful there's not really much there for more than a day or so. Whenever I've been there, apart from cruise stopovers, I stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure which is a pleasant spot, much cheaper and only a short bus ride away from Portofino. Short of any personal recommendations, have a look at the reviews on TripAdvisor. I stayed at the Best Western on the sea front and it was pretty good. Terry 

owners direct http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/italy-liguria.htm

I'd also recommend Santa Margherita which is very close to Portofino. There is a large variety of hotels. I was recommended a small hotel called Jolanda. Rapallo is a few kms further along the coast but also very accessible by boat or bus and with a large selection of hotels.

We stayed in Rapallo because there was a bigger selection of hotels and restaurants, quite a apleasant town centre, and additionally it is on the train line from Genoa to La Spezia making day trips to the cinque terre possible (there's an all stations train about every hour). Agree Portofino is very expensive and not a lot to do.