SantaCecilia Apartment

Hotel Description

You know, when I first stumbled upon SantaCecilia Apartment tucked away in that little alley – Vicolo Santa Cecilia, right off the bustling edges of Verona’s historical centre – I thought, well, this is going to be one of those hidden gems that makes you feel like you’ve scored a local’s secret. It’s not some flashy hotel lobby staring you down; instead, you buzz in through a weathered wooden door on a narrow cobblestone path, and suddenly you’re in this cozy, apartment-style setup that feels more like borrowing a friend’s pied-à-terre than checking into a standard room. I mean, the place is rated a solid 9 for a reason – it’s got that four-star polish without trying too hard. My stay was in early fall, when the tourist crowds thin out a bit after the summer opera frenzy at the Arena di Verona (which, honestly, is just a quick 10-minute stroll away via Via Cappello – you know, the street that leads right to Juliet’s balcony, if you’re into that romantic Shakespeare vibe). The air had that crisp, leafy scent mixed with distant whiffs of fresh-baked cornetti from the nearby cafés on Piazza delle Erbe, and inside, the apartment was all exposed brick walls and soft linen sheets that actually smelled like they’ve been line-dried in the Italian sun. Oh, and parking? Forget it if you’re driving – the historical centre’s a nightmare for cars, so I ditched mine at the public garage near Porta Nuova station and walked the rest, which took maybe 15 minutes. Pro tip: Arrive before dusk if you can, because those alleys get dimly lit and a tad disorienting after dark, especially with the occasional scooter zipping by.

What really sold me on SantaCecilia, though, was how it balances that old-world charm with the stuff that actually matters when you’re traveling. The kitchenette’s stocked just enough – think a Nespresso machine for your morning fix and a little fridge that fits those market-fresh cheeses from the stalls on Via Mazzini (great for shopping if you hit it mid-morning before the crowds). The bed? King-sized and ridiculously comfortable, with pillows that don’t feel like they’ve been through a war. I stayed in the one on the second floor – no elevator, mind you, so if you’ve got heavy bags or mobility issues, that could be a minor hassle, but the views out the window onto the quiet vicolo made up for the stairs. It’s sort of peaceful in there, you know? Mornings were dead silent except for the faint church bells from Santa Anastasia nearby, and evenings had this low hum from distant restaurants without ever getting rowdy. I wandered out one night to grab gelato at Gelateria Ponte Pietra – it’s like a five-minute jaunt across the Adige River – and came back to find the place feeling like home, with the AC humming softly (a godsend in Verona’s humid summers). Honestly, if there’s a critique, it’s that the Wi-Fi can be spotty during peak hours, but who cares when you’re steps from real-life history? I caught myself lingering on the balcony, sipping cheap Chianti, watching locals cycle by – it’s that kind of spot.

All in all, if you’re heading to Verona and want to ditch the cookie-cutter hotels for something that lets you live like you’re part of the city – not just visiting – SantaCecilia’s your bet. It’s perfect for couples or solo travelers who appreciate the intimacy of an apartment over a big resort feel, especially in shoulder seasons when the centre’s magic really shines without the overwhelm. You end up saving on meals by cooking in, and the location means you’re immersed in the action: think easy access to the Roman Theatre or even day trips to Lake Garda if you rent a bike. I left feeling like I’d uncovered a piece of Verona that most tourists miss – and yeah, I’d book it again in a heartbeat.

Reviews

• Ng from Malaysia – 22 October 2024 (10/10)

  A spacious apartment within the old town area. Walking distance to attraction.
  
  A modern contemporary design with italian paintings.
  
  What could be improved: Bed soft for my liking

• Cecilia from United Kingdom – 11 October 2024 (10/10)

  Due to transport issues we were late but Davide stayed late to give us the keys and show us the property which was very kind of him.

• Patrice from Canada – 23 September 2024 (9/10)

  My wife and I along with another couple spent 2 nights at Santa Cecilia apartments and were very pleased with the accomodation:
  
  The location was just the best: in a very quiet alley, litterally steps away from the best pastry shops, coffee shops and food specialty shops, 5 minutes away from the place of herbs. Our entire stay in Verona was done without our car that we had left in a public free parking 10 minutes away from the apartment. We only brought the car on the day we left to load the suitcases.
  
  The apartment was very comfortable and clean (I do yoga in the morning and since I did not bring a mat, I exercised on the floor and appreciated the cleanliness of the wooden floor in the living room. The style was simple and tasteful. We liked that the kitchen is separated from the sleeping quarters so that when I ran the coffee maker early in the morning I did not wake up our friends who are waking up later. We did not cook meals but had our breakfast in the morning in the kitchen and appreciated the Nespresso machines and for people who stay longer, and want to eat on site, the fridge and freezer of large capacity may be very valuable Everything in the apartment was functional and easy to use. The elevator next to the lobby of the apartment made it easy to carry luggage and shopping bags.
  
  What could be improved: There was nothing we did not like. The shower in the bathroom is small but very functional and this was not an issue for us

• Mary from United Kingdom – 18 September 2024 (9/10)

  Our second stay at this comfortable and well located apartment. We won't hesitate to book again!

• Irena from Ireland – 30 May 2024 (9/10)

  Spacious, clean, excellent location, all amenities as indicated on the website. Quiet oasis in the busy centre of Verona. Right next to Piazza Erbe, close to many sights, shops and restaurants.

• Karine from Switzerland – 4 May 2024 (10/10)

  Location is unbeatable!
  Large and spacious
  Quiet
  Comfortable bed
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Georgia from Switzerland – 28 March 2024 (10/10)

  Wonderful hosts, clean and big apartment, everything was great!
  
  What could be improved: –

• Janet from United States – 17 October 2023 (10/10)

  Absolutely beautiful and very spacious apartment. It is right in the center of town. Wish we could have stayed longer.
  
  What could be improved: It was fantastic

• Luke from United Kingdom – 1 October 2023 (10/10)

  Superb location in the old town. Incredibly quiet considering its location.
  
  What could be improved: The main bedroom probably has one extra closet than is needed. There is plenty of storage in the farthest closet, and the removal of one of the closets would make the bedroom feel more spacious.

• Michelle from United Kingdom – 16 September 2023 (8/10)

  It was quiet but very central and a great location.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities