Corte Realdi Suites Arena

The breakfast could be better, especially with fresh juice and gluten-free choices. Still, I loved staying here. The large, elegant rooms offer privacy along with some modern comforts, and the service was great. Check-in was quick and pleasant. The location is fantastic too, within walking distance of design boutiques and some nice restaurants, right in the heart of Verona.

It’s well placed for exploring Verona, but that was about the only positive for us. The bed felt lumpy, and we’re pretty sure the cover hadn’t been changed because it looked like it needed washing and smelled stale. Dust and dirt were also an issue in the room and bathroom, along with a moldy smell and very poor air circulation. The whole place felt a bit run down. There was an odd fishy odor from the fridge outlet, so we left it unplugged; the manager didn’t seem concerned. Construction right outside was really irritating, too. We were unhappy with the stay and honestly urge people to avoid this property. The marketing for these rooms felt totally deceitful. The owners run multiple Corte Rialdi properties under the same name, and their high rating may reflect another property, since they clearly aren’t all the same quality.

The location is ideal, close to the center, restaurants, attractions and parking. They offer valet parking for 35 euros. The reception staff were incredibly attentive and even offered to bring food from the restaurant downstairs as room service. The two women who welcomed us were great, always ready to help, and I have no complaints about them. I’d give them five stars. As for the place, I’d call it about a 3 1/2. It’s a renovated house with five guest rooms, decorated like a museum with frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The rooms work, but they have an old-house smell and feel, with squeaky floors and doors. Mattresses are very soft, so they won’t suit you if you need support. We had rooms linked by a hallway with our two young kids. They saw the art as more haunted-house than romantic, so I wouldn’t recommend it for families with children under 15. The shower takes a while to heat up, though it’s fine after that. No standard shampoo, conditioner or soap is provided. The towels were okay, neither very soft nor like sandpaper. There’s no iron or ironing board, though we didn’t ask for one. Breakfast is across the street; the staff are attentive, but there isn’t much choice, fresh fruit or baked goods. The air conditioning works, which is a big plus in Verona’s hot weather.

The hosts were very polite and did more than expected to make our stay pleasant. We had a clean, comfortable, spacious room with nice decor and a good bathroom and shower. Perfect spot right in the city center. I’d highly recommend it.