Relais all’Aquila

Relais all’Aquila Overview

I remember stumbling upon Relais all’Aquila during a rainy afternoon in Verona – you know, one of those days where the cobblestones in the historical center get all slick and shiny, and you’re dodging tourists with umbrellas around Piazza delle Erbe. It’s tucked away on Vicolo Cadrega, this narrow little alley that’s barely wide enough for a scooter, let alone a car, which honestly makes it feel like a hidden gem amid the chaos. I mean, you’re just steps from the Arena di Verona – I could hear the faint echoes of opera rehearsals drifting over in the evenings – but the hotel itself is this quiet, restored palazzo that sort of transports you back to old Italy. Check-in was a breeze; the owner, this chatty guy named Marco (or was it Matteo? Anyway, super friendly), handed over the keys with a quick rundown of the best nearby gelato spots – try the one on Via Mazzini, he said, for the pistachio that’s actually made with real Sicilian nuts. No big lobby fuss, just a cozy reception with that faint scent of aged wood and fresh lavender from the little courtyard out back. Parking? Well, forget about it right outside – Verona’s centro storico is a nightmare for cars, so I ended up using the public garage near Ponte Nuovo, about a 10-minute walk away, which wasn’t too bad unless you’re lugging heavy bags.

What really won me over were the rooms – mine was on the second floor (no elevator, mind you, so pack light if stairs aren’t your thing), with these high ceilings and exposed beams that made it feel authentically Veronese, like stepping into a Renaissance painting. The bed was comfy, with crisp linens that smelled faintly of citrus detergent, and the bathroom had one of those rain showers that actually works – none of that weak trickle you sometimes get in older places. Breakfast was a highlight, served in this sunny atrium with homemade croissants, local cheeses, and coffee that’s strong enough to wake the dead; I spent mornings people-watching from the window, catching glimpses of locals biking down to the Adige River. It’s not perfect, though – the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the evenings when everyone’s streaming, and during peak summer tourist season (think July, when the opera festival packs the streets), you might hear some street noise until around 10 PM. But honestly, that’s part of the charm; it keeps things lively without overwhelming the peace inside. I wandered out to Juliet’s House – it’s literally a five-minute stroll along Via Cappello – and grabbed dinner at that tiny osteria on Corso Porta Borsari, where the risotto with Amarone wine is to die for.

All in all, if you’re after a spot that feels lived-in and genuine, Relais all’Aquila is a solid choice for Verona. It’s got that 4-star polish without the stuffy vibe, and with an 8.3 rating, it’s clear others agree – though I’d say it’s even better for couples or history buffs who want to immerse themselves. You won’t get massive resort amenities, but you’ll wake up feeling like you’re part of the city, not just visiting. Next time I’m in town for the Vinitaly wine fair in spring (when things are buzzing but not insane), this is where I’d book again – just to sip espresso in that courtyard and pretend I’m a local for a bit.

Reviews of Relais all’Aquila

• Ruta from Lithuania – 2 March 2025 (9/10)

  I liked the location mostly.
  
  What could be improved: It was little bit cold in the apartment,

• Mateusz from Poland – 22 June 2024 (9/10)

  Excellent location, beautiful and clean apartment. Cozy and quiet. Very helpful owner. Will go back there

• Amy from Germany – 9 June 2024 (7/10)

  The location is great! Walkable distance to everything and some great little bars/restaurants right around the corner.
  
  What could be improved: No full size mirror anywhere and also only one mirror in the bathroom which is high (so if you’re small you can only see your forehead).
  Also no hooks or anything to hang towels after showering.
  Only air con in the living room so the bedroom is pretty hot.

• Carolina from Italy – 13 May 2024 (8/10)

  Good location, easy check in, nice common area
  
  What could be improved: The mattress could be better, as well as the bed sheets. The AC in the living room isnt enough to cool the entire house

• Gareth from United Kingdom – 29 April 2024 (7/10)

  The Location
  Kitchen set up was good, beds, bathroom was good. The space was as advertised in the photos. It’s a pretty apartment.
  
  What could be improved: Lots of lightbulbs out so it was a bit dark. Sounds insignificant but it was quite a lot of the lights weren’t working. Also the check in wasn’t great. It wasn’t obvious how checkin was going to work, and a message of mine wasn’t responded to. I arrived at the property and waited for someone to come, but it turned out I was meant to ring. It didn’t say that anywhere… not a huge deal in the end, but I think this could all be made clearer.
  The heating was on, but there were signs asking not to turn it off. Unfortunately, if you use the sofa bed in the kitchen, the boiler goes on and off all night long so it’s quite irritating.
  Those things aside though, we had a good stay. The location is great and we enjoyed being there.

• Cat from New Zealand – 3 October 2023 (7/10)

  Central location easy walk distance to the centre.
  
  What could be improved: To get here from the train station you need to take as bus. Also the washing machine’s dryer mode was locked so you can do your washing but not dry your clothes. This is a small thing however, overall very good stay.

• Viananeagu from Austria – 25 August 2023 (8/10)

  Was easy to collect the property key. The apartment has a perfect size for 2, large bathroom, clean, comfortable bed,
  a well equipped kitchen. Good position to reach by car when the hours allow, because it is in the ZTL area (limited traffic area), close to the centre.
  
  What could be improved: A bit noisy in the morning. The air conditioner in the kitchen could not cope with the heat from outside and there was none in the bedroom.

• Andrei from Romania – 18 August 2023 (8/10)

  Great location, nice apartment
  
  What could be improved: – difficult to locate
  – very limited parking options (however there are some free parking options for electric car that you should be aware of)
  – insufficient support from host in check-in and getting around. No host present on site

• Melissa from Taiwan – 9 July 2023 (7/10)

  Great location.
  
  What could be improved: It would be much better to have a simple instructions about the flat, and would be nice to know in advance whether the landlord will be possibly reached in person.

• Mark from United Kingdom – 4 October 2022 (9/10)

  Hosts were superb and extremely accomodating. Even offering to dry our daughters shoes as we were caught in the rain on the 1st day.
  
  What could be improved: No complaints

Surroundings

Facilities