Piazzetta Scalette Rubiani 3, Verona, Italy | 39 045 8006830
Excellent location in city center overlooking Piazza Bra
Most everything in the city is within walking distance
Sharp rooms blend classic and contemporary styles
Standard in-room features include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and minibars
Restaurant serving Italian fare plus room service
Free breakfast buffet with hot and cold options
Valet parking for a fee
Free use of bicycles
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Entry-level rooms are small
Noise from nearby bars can be a problem in street-facing rooms
The 32-room Hotel Bologna is a charming three-pearl property with an unbeatable location next to Piazza Bra and a short walk from the Arena di Verona. Most everything the city offers is within walking distance, including restaurants, bars, shopping, and attractions. Rooms are a bit small, but they are elegantly decorated in a blend of traditional and modern styles that include hardwood floors and attractive art. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and safes. Unfortunately, noise from neighboring bars can be an issue in street-facing rooms. The restaurant serves Italian fare, and the breakfast buffet is free, as is use of the hotel's bicycles. Travelers who would prefer something even more contemporary could check out the Hotel Milano, which has a spa and rooftop bar and terrace.
Scene
Charming historic hotel with cozy atmosphere and attractive mix of modern and classic styles
This little hotel is housed in a four-story historic stone building with shutters on the windows -- it sets a perfectly quaint tone for a stay here. Flowers bloom in window boxes, and lush flowers and greenery in planters line the walkway to the hotel. Guests enter through glass doors and find the reception desk right inside. A sign on the front of it says "nobis et amicis," or "our friends" -- which is a hint at this boutique property's ethos. A cozy sitting area to the side offers a bowl of fruit, newspapers, magazines, and books. Black-and-white art hangs here as well as in narrow hallways. The atmosphere is elegant, but cozy, making it a well-liked option in the center of town. This place is most popular with couples, but all sorts of travelers looking for a charming place in a great location make their way here.
Location
Next to Piazza Bra, and just two minutes from Arena di Verona on foot
This hotel is situated in the heart of the ancient city of Verona, overlooking Piazza Bra and a three-minute walk from the Arena di Verona. The hotel is reached by a small private cobblestoned road, so there's little traffic, though noise from neighboring bars can be an issue into the night. Many designer shops and restaurants surround the property in every direction. Palazzo della Gran Guardia is about four minutes away on foot. The Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House) can be reached in about six minutes on foot, as can the Castelvecchio Museum. The Verona Villafranca Airport is about 20 minutes away by car, or 35 minutes by public transportation.
Rooms
Sharp rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars, plus a suite with rooftop terrace
Rooms are done in a lovely blend of classic and modern styles, and include details like wood floors, period molding, clean-lined dark wood furniture, and softly or boldly colored walls. Traditional black-and-white art hangs on the walls, adding to the convincingly elegant effect. It is worth noting that some rooms -- like the Single Room that we visited -- are compact, with little space to maneuver around the bed. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, safes, and minibars. Old-fashioned telephones with push-button dialing are a novelty. Suites are larger and add sitting areas. One suite has a rooftop terrace with a hot tub, plus lounge chairs and a dining table and chairs. Bathrooms are small, but equipped with bidets, towel warmers, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries. Walk-in showers have rainfall showerheads. Keep in mind that noise from neighboring rooms can be an issue.
Features
Restaurant, free breakfast buffet, free bicycles, valet parking, and free Wi-Fi
There aren't too many features here, though what's on offer is enough to make for a convenient city-center stay. Rubiani Restaurant serves Venetian and Italian fare in a cozy space with white tablecloths, a tiled floor, and red and blue walls. A free breakfast buffet is served daily, and guests can dine on the terrace when the weather is nice. The selection includes a good variety of hot and cold options. Guests can use bicycles for free, and valet parking is available for a fee. An internet station is available, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.