Casa Maria – tra Verona Centro e Stazione Treni

Hotel Description

I stumbled upon Casa Maria last spring when I was chasing that perfect Verona vibe without blowing my budget—honestly, it’s tucked away on Via Angelo Scarsellini in the San Zeno district, which is this charming, less touristy pocket of the city. You know, the kind where you can hear the faint chime of bells from the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore just a short stroll away, and it’s smack between the historic center and the Stazione Porta Nuova train station. I mean, I walked from the station in about 15 minutes, dodging a few scooters on Via Albere, and it felt like stepping into a quieter side of Verona—away from the Arena crowds but close enough that you could pop over for an evening opera if you timed it right. Check-in was a breeze; the owner, Maria herself (or at least that’s who I assumed it was, with that warm Italian welcome), handed over the keys with a quick chat about where to grab the best gelato nearby—turns out, there’s this little spot on Via San Giuseppe that’s killer for pistachio. The building’s got that classic Verona stone facade, a bit weathered but in a cozy way, and inside, it’s simple but spotless, with these old wooden floors that creak just enough to remind you you’re in a real home, not some chain hotel.

What really won me over, though, was how it felt like a smart base for exploring without the hassle—parking’s a nightmare in Verona (well, unless you’re lucky with street spots nearby, but I ditched the car and went pedestrian), and the rooms are basic but thoughtful, with firm beds that actually let you sleep through the night despite the occasional distant train rumble from the station. My room overlooked a tiny courtyard with potted herbs—smelled faintly of basil in the mornings—and the bathroom was compact, sure, but the shower pressure was surprisingly strong, which is a godsend after a day wandering the cobblestone paths around Castelvecchio. Breakfast was nothing fancy, just fresh croissants, cappuccino that hits the spot, and some local cheeses, served in this sunny common area where you might chat with other guests about day trips to Lake Garda (it’s an easy train ride from here, by the way). Noise-wise, it’s pretty peaceful, especially off-season when San Zeno quiets down after dinner—though summer weekends can get lively with folks spilling out from nearby trattorias like the one on Via Porta San Zeno, where I had this amazing risotto that still haunts me. Oh, and a minor gripe: the Wi-Fi’s decent but spotty in the evenings, so if you’re streaming, maybe download ahead.

All in all, if you’re the type who wants Verona’s romance without the overpriced fluff—think couples on a whim or solo travelers like me who appreciate authenticity—Casa Maria’s a gem. It’s not luxurious, but it’s got heart, and that location means you’re saving time (and steps) for what really matters, like sunset walks along the Adige River or catching a market on Piazza San Zeno. I left feeling like I’d found a little secret spot; next time I’m in town, you’d better believe I’m booking again.

Reviews

• Nicoleta from Romania – 4 September 2024 (9/10)

  Very nice apartment, new and lovely decorated. We appreciated the external window blinds for complete dark at night and a good sleep. The surroundings of the building are safe and there is about 20 minutes walk to the city center (Piazza Bra and Arena). There is a supermarket near the apartment.
  
  What could be improved: Few details, that could make the difference for the guests, are missing: hooks for both hand and shower towels; also, in the bathroom, a chair / small piece of furniture for storing the clothes while taking a shower; to find some basic supplies (coffee, tea etc) in the kitchen would be nice.

• Ehsan from United Kingdom – 8 August 2024 (5/10)

  Location is great and generally cleaned well.
  
  What could be improved: Instructions had the wrong lock box code so had to wait a while with all the luggage for the right code.
  No wifi – no line to the phone socket for it. Host took 5 days out of the 6 day stay to try and sort due to poor response times.
  Toilet seat lid is detached.
  Hairdryer doesn't fit in any socket. Pins are too narrow.
  Sofa bed is very creaky and hard.

• Izabela from Poland – 25 July 2024 (9/10)

  Świetna lokalizacja, nowoczesny wygląd apartamentu, łatwo było się dostać, winda w budynku
  
  What could be improved: Klimatyzacja tylko w salonie, skrzypiąca rozkładana sofa

• Katia from Italy – 8 July 2024 (8/10)

  Non era compresa

• Radosław from Poland – 9 July 2024 (9/10)

  Apartament czysty i zadbany. Zgodny z opisem. Klimatyzacja i internet przez WiFi działają. Bardzo dobra lokalizacja, 15 min do starego miasta Werony, cicha i przyjazna okolica.
  
  What could be improved: Brak miejsca postojowego dedykowanego dla apartamentu. Parking dodatkowo płatny zgodnie z miejska taryfa. Miejsca do zaparkowania na dłużej szukałem ponad 10 min.

• Athina from Greece – 23 June 2024 (9/10)

  Ήταν πολύ καθαρό, ήσυχη περιοχή και ήσυχο διαμέρισμα και μόνο 20' με τα πόδια από την Αρένα.Το πάρκινγκ πολύ εύκολο και οι οδηγίες του ιδιοκτήτη κατατοπιστικές για την παραλαβή -παράδοση των κλειδιών

• Marie from Czech Republic – 7 June 2024 (7/10)

  poloha, kvalita spani v loznici
  
  What could be improved: chybejici vybaveni/oredmety v kuchyni-uterka, tablety do mycky, kavovar, prkynko, nefungujici wifi

• Roxana from Romania – 16 August 2024 (10/10)

  Apartament ok, curat, aproape de obiectivele turistice și taverne.
  
  What could be improved: Canapeaua din living inconfortabila.

• Mirella from Poland – 2 June 2024 (10/10)

  Świetny apartament, w pełni wyposażony. Czyste pokoje, pościel, reczniki. W budynku winda. Super lokalizacja, okolica spokojna, do areny 15 min, do dworca 20. Blisko sklep, przystanek autobusowy.
  
  What could be improved: Wszystko było dobrze.

• Fernanda from Argentina – 25 July 2024 (3/10)

  Nada
  
  What could be improved: Las instalaciones. Y el personal sobre todo. Pase un stress porq no me atendían al llamado.

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