This riverside suite has been a real labour of love for husband-and-wife team Mara and Filippo, who also run Pianaura Suites in the nearby Valpolicella wine region. They felt there wasn’t really anywhere quirky or extra-special to stay in Verona, so they set about painstakingly renovating a residential apartment into a design hideaway for 2, in collaboration with Milan architect Stefania Beltrame. The result is stunning. One large, open-plan room has been cleverly divided by glass, mirrors and curtains instead of fixed walls, giving a wonderful, free-flow feel. There’s an elegant living area, a bijou bedroom, a kitchenette, and a show-stopper of a bathroom. No expense has been spared on the luxe furnishings either, which are a mixture of custom-made and vintage pieces by highly regarded Italian designers. State-of-the art technology (a wireless Sonos sound system, an Apple TV with Netflix) is the icing on the cake.
The location is perfect, on a pretty cobblestone street next to the Adige river in San Zeno, a historical and trendy district of old Verona. Castelvecchio is just over the river; Piazza delle Erbe and designer shopping streets an easy stroll away. We loved living like locals, popping to the bakery for morning pastries, relaxing in the living room watching riverside strollers at dusk, and trying neighbourhood restaurants and bars.
Highs
- Verona is the most beautiful and romantic city, perfect for a special break
- Excellent rates
- Bags of style, combining vintage 50s furniture and sleek contemporary design
- The incredible bathroom - a glass cube panelled in brass, with Italian marble floors and funky lighting
- Just 10 minutes' walk from ‘Juliet’s balcony’, Arena (the Roman amphitheatre) and medieval Castelvecchio
Lows
- A 2-night minimum stay
- No credit cards; the balance must be paid in cash on arrival, along with a small tourist tax and a final clean which are not included in the rates
- Not suitable for friends (a double bed and lack of privacy) or families (no extra beds/baby cots)
- No oven in the kitchenette - but with great restaurants an easy stroll away, you're unlikely to cook much
Best time to go
Weather-wise, the best time of year for Verona is March to October. If you're looking for a less crowded scene, come in early spring or autumn. The Verona Arena opera season is June-August. Winters can be cold, but the apartment is cosy.
Our top tips
- There's a bike-hire shop on the corner: a fun way to explore independently, or they offer guided city tours
- Corte Farina is an excellent pizzeria in town - we loved the sfilatino (rolled pizza) with cheese and courgette
- Don't miss the antique market on Piazza Zeno on the first Sunday of every month
- Boutique Apartment
- 1 bedroom
- Self-catering; restaurants nearby
- 12+ year-olds only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The apartment is a 50sq.m open-plan space, ingeniously carved into sections by mirrors, glass and curtains. As apartments go it's not huge, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in style: we loved the clean lines, brass fittings and mid-century modern furniture, including classic pieces by Osvaldo Borsani and Vittorio Nicolis.
Every last detail has been obsessed over to enhance the guest experience - the lime ceiling is coated with wax to reflect the flowing water of the river outside, and the special linoleum flooring is made from linseed oil and jute fibres, which have a gorgeous smell and are warm and pleasant to touch. Even the wallpapers are luxurious, made from soft, washable fabrics.
A superbly comfortable Silvio Cavatorta bed dominates the bedroom, with crisp linens and a gold lacquered headboard. A mural-style feature wall of moody clouds is offset by suspended black tube lighting and sunshine-bright cushions, and the bed looks directly into the glass-cube shower bathroom, which can be curtained off for modesty - or not! (There's a separate loo.)
The living area is cleverly zoned by peacock-blue and gold patterned wallpaper. Two 'Lady' armchairs by Arflex - designed in 1951 by Marco Zanuso - take centre stage beside a nest of mirrored bronze coffee tables and a gold-topped cocktail shaker. There are potted orchids and succulents, cut-glass ornaments, and river views from each window. Beauty is everywhere.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
A small but functional kitchenette houses all you need for basic self-catering, including an induction hob, a Nespresso coffee maker and a microwave (no oven). Olive oil, salt, pepper, coffee and sugar are provided. It was perfect for easy breakfasts and snack lunches, but we preferred to head out to local restaurants for most meals.There's a folder in the apartment with loads of decent recommendations.
Pizzeria Vesuvio (a 2-minute walk from the apartment) has riverside tables and great pizza and pasta; Pasticceria Castelvecchio is perfect for coffee and delicious cake. For something more sophisticated, try Vescovo Moro. Specialist Veronese dishes to look out for include risotto al tastasal (risotto with sausage meat), risotto all'Amarone (risotto flavoured with the region's richest red wine), bigoli (buckwheat pasta served with duck, donkey or salted sardines) and pandoro (an egg-yoke cake made in a star-shaped mold and served with chocolate sauce).
Features include:
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- You're just over the water from Castelvecchio, Verona's beautiful Gothic castle. Despite being hit by Napoleon and WWII bombs, it remains largely intact (glass panels and artwork cleverly fill any holes). Don't miss the sculptures and medieval paintings in its museum
- Admire the Piazza delle Erbe, Verona's forum during Roman times and the soul of the old town. Once home to chariot races, it's now ringed by cafés and restaurants, with market stalls selling herbs and spices. We loved its ancient frescoes and beautiful fountains. If you've a head for heights, climb the magnificent Lamberti bell tower for far-reaching views
- Nothing could be more romantic than watching live opera in the Roman arena. Plácido Domingo, Tito Gobbi and Maria Callas have all performed here. Book well in advance
- Other notable sights include the Teatro Romano, the Portoni della Bra (2 arches leading into the city) and the cathedral (full of red marble)
- In imaginary world, Verona is the backdrop to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. You can visit Juliet's balcony at Via Cappello 23, the 14th-century house of the Capulets. Below, a golden statue is said to bring luck in love to those who stroke it - and people queue to do so. Close to the apartment, the crypt in the Basilica di San Zeno was the fictional setting for the star-crossed wedding
- Lake Garda is an easy day trip, as are the enchanting riverside village of Borghetto and Valpolicella's many vineyards, spread across the pretty valleys of Marano, Negrar and Fumane
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Art classes
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
Kids
12+ year olds only, and there are no extra beds available, so the child must share the double bed with the adult.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The apartment is on the Adige river in the heart of old Verona, a few minutes' walk from Castelvecchio and the Roman arena.
By Air:
The closest airports are Verona (11km) and Brescia (67km), which handles mostly domestic traffic. Venice (127km) and Bergamo (118km) are a bit further afield but served by more airlines. Click on the links below for a list.
From the Airport
Taxiing here is the easiest option, or you can take a bus into town (30 mins) and then get a taxi (5 mins) or walk (25 mins). Or hire a car - free street parking is sometimes available, otherwise there is a paid car park very nearby. A parking permit is also available from the owner.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Italy and getting around
Airports:
- Verona Villafranca 11.0 km VRN
- Brescia (Montichiari) 67.0 km VBS
Other:
- Beach 76.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 6 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape