Cicero Guest House

Hotel Description

I remember pulling up to the Cicero Guest House on Via Leonardo Da Vinci – you know, that quiet stretch in Borgo Milano, right near the Stadio Bentegodi where all the Hellas Verona matches light up the neighborhood on game days. It’s not smack in the historic center like those tourist traps around Piazza delle Erbe, but honestly, that’s part of its charm. I arrived after a long drive from Lake Garda, and finding parking was a breeze – there’s a little lot out back, which is a godsend in Verona where spots vanish faster than gelato in July. The check-in was smooth, no fuss; the owner, this warm Italian guy named Marco (I think? Well, something like that), greeted me with a genuine smile and a quick rundown of the area, even slipping in a tip about avoiding the crowds at the Arena by going early morning. The place feels more like a cozy family home than a stuffy hotel – think exposed brick walls and that faint, comforting scent of fresh laundry mixed with espresso from the kitchen downstairs.

What really won me over, though, was how it balances that old-world Verona vibe with modern perks without trying too hard. My room was on the second floor, overlooking a sleepy courtyard – sort of tucked away, so the noise from the nearby Via San Marco traffic was minimal, especially at night when things quiet down after 10 PM. The bed was plush, with those crisp white linens that make you sink right in, and the bathroom had one of those rain showers that actually works (you know, not the dribbly kind you get in some budget spots). Breakfast was a highlight – served in a sunny communal area with homemade croissants, local cheeses, and coffee strong enough to wake the dead; I mean, it’s not a massive buffet, but it’s fresh and sets you up for wandering to the city center, which is just a 20-minute stroll along the Adige River path or a quick bus from the stop two blocks away. Oh, and if you’re into cycling like I am, they have bikes to borrow – perfect for zipping to Juliet’s House without dealing with the summer tourist swarm. That said, it’s a guest house, so don’t expect a full spa or gym; it’s more about that authentic, low-key stay where you chat with other travelers over evening wine on the terrace.

Look, if you’re visiting Verona for the opera season or just to soak in the romance without the chaos, Cicero is a solid pick – that 8.6 rating doesn’t lie. It’s got that four-star polish but feels personal, like crashing at a friend’s place in a neighborhood where locals actually live. Sure, the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the far rooms during peak hours (blame the old building, I guess), but it never ruined my trip. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially off-season when the rates dip and the whole area feels even more serene. You get the real Verona here, not the postcard version – and that’s what traveling’s all about, right?

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $169. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 extra-large double bed, 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Hamdi from Turkey – 11 October 2024 (9/10)

  First of all, the house is really nice and clean. As far as I understand, it is a new booking house. So there are some minor deficiencies. For example, there is no salt, no garbage bags. But these are not big problems.
  
  It was really hard to get the key. It uses a system called vikey from the beginning. I was hesitant about whether it was safe or not. Then when I went home, I couldn't even open the apartment door to get the key. I called and couldn't reach them. Finally, I reached someone and they told me where the key was after 3 or 4 hours.
  
  What could be improved: The location of the house is not bad. Next to the stadium. 15-20 minutes to the fair. There are many lights in the house and you have to turn them all off one by one when you leave. I wish there was a system that worked with a key when you left.

• Anna from Ukraine – 29 October 2024 (4/10)

  The apartment itself was excellent – clean, modern, and genuinely comfortable. It was a pleasure to stay there, and if I return to Verona, I would happily stay again – but with a different management company.
  
  What could be improved: I've traveled extensively for years, but this experience was a first. The official check-in time was 3 p.m., but I received no check-in instructions by then. They only sent them around 5-6 p.m. I was very anxious since I was with my family, including a child.
  
  A few days prior, I had requested five sets of bedding, as I paid for five people. When we arrived at the apartment, I found there was no blanket for my teenager's bed. Being autumn, the apartment wasn't warm, and per the rules, the air conditioner couldn't be set above 23°C, so my child spent the first night freezing. The following day, we were promised that a blanket would be brought over.
  
  **Day 2:** We returned in the evening, but still, there was no blanket, despite paying for five people. My husband tried calling and messaging, but there was no response for nearly 24 hours. We ended up sleeping together on one bed to keep warm.
  
  The next morning, we received a message from the host's representative, saying they had an emergency and that the blanket would arrive by the evening.
  
  **Day 3:** We came back after 7 p.m., and still, no blanket. By this point, we were beyond frustrated – it was cramped, the rain made the apartment even colder, and I couldn’t reach the host despite calling and messaging over 100 times. Finally, my husband called Booking.com’s hotline, and they helped us connect with the host. About 20 minutes later, we got a blanket – but it was dirty, with visible stains. I must note that the rest of the apartment was quite cramped, too.
  
  We were so disappointed. Instead of enjoying our days in the city, we spent three days worrying about something as basic as a blanket.
  
  My husband mentioned that he would file a complaint and requested compensation for the fifth set of bedding. We were promised a refund but never received it. I don’t know why they bothered promising if they wouldn’t follow through.

• Noah from Switzerland – 16 September 2024 (7/10)

  Schön eingerichtet

• Ekaterina from Belarus – 23 October 2024 (9/10)

  Квартира просторная, с новым ремонтом, чистая, красивая, в приятном районе. Рядом магазин, кафе. Удобные кровати. Есть практически все необходимое. Очень рекомендую для семей. Есть стиральная машина. Бесплатная парковка, ставили машину прямо под окнами квартиры.
  
  What could be improved: Ящик, в котором лежал ключ от квартиры, мы нашли не сразу, т.к. хозяин не выслал подробную инструкцию, и оказалось, что этот ящик находится под окном квартиры на внешней стене дома. Раньше мы с таким не сталкивались, поэтому потратили время, чтобы его обнаружить. Не хватает крючков в ванной, в коридоре для верхней одежды. Район хороший, но до центра исторического ехали на машине минут 15.

• Antonino from Italy – 25 August 2024 (9/10)

  Appartamento nuovo, confortevole, moderno.

• Marin from Croatia – 19 September 2024 (8/10)

• Seppe from Belgium – 1 April 2025 (9/10)

• Rocchetti from Italy – 16 September 2024 (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities