villa d’arco apartment

Hotel Description

You know, I stumbled upon Villa d’Arco Apartment kind of by accident last summer when I was road-tripping through northern Italy – I’d just come off the A4 highway, dodging those endless toll booths, and needed a spot that wasn’t smack in the tourist chaos of Verona’s centro storico. Tucked away on Via G.B. Dalla Riva in the San Massimo neighborhood, it’s this unassuming four-star gem that’s more like a collection of cozy apartments than a stuffy hotel. Honestly, pulling up to number 5, I was struck by how residential it feels – think quiet streets lined with those classic Italian villas, maybe a few locals cycling by with fresh bread from the bakery around the corner on Via San Massimo. It’s not right next to the Arena or Juliet’s balcony (that’s about a 15-minute drive or a quick bus ride on the 11 line), but that’s part of the charm; you’re far enough from the summer crowds that you can actually hear birds chirping in the mornings instead of tour groups shuffling below your window. Parking was a breeze too – they have spots out front, which is a godsend in Italy where finding a space can feel like winning the lottery.

Stepping inside, well, it’s got that lived-in vibe that makes you feel like you’re crashing at a friend’s place rather than checking into some impersonal chain. My apartment – I mean, room, but it’s basically a mini-flat with a kitchenette – overlooked this little garden area, and the smell of fresh laundry from the breeze (they do on-site washing, by the way) mixed with the faint espresso scent from the breakfast setup downstairs. The decor’s modern but not over-the-top, with these soft, textured linens that actually feel luxurious after a day wandering Verona’s cobblestone streets. Oh, and the Wi-Fi? Blazing fast, which mattered when I was uploading photos of the nearby Adige River paths – great for evening strolls if you’re into that quiet riverside vibe, especially in spring when the willows are blooming. Check-in was super laid-back; the owner chatted with me about local spots like the tiny trattoria on Via della Valverde for authentic cacio e pepe, and they even lent me a bike to explore. Minor gripe? The air conditioning can be a tad noisy at night if you’re a light sleeper, but nothing a fan couldn’t drown out – and hey, it’s Italy in July, so you’ll need it anyway.

All in all, with that 9.4 rating, Villa d’Arco’s the kind of place that sticks with you for the right reasons – it’s authentic, not flashy, and perfect if you’re traveling with a partner or small family who wants space to spread out without breaking the bank. I spent my days hopping into the city for the opera festival at the Arena (pro tip: go in August for the best vibes, but book tickets early), then retreating here for peaceful evenings with a bottle of Valpolicella from the market down the street. If you’re after that insider Verona experience – you know, away from the postcard spots but close enough to dive in – this is it. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially off-season when the area’s even quieter and the rates dip. Trust me, it’s one of those hidden finds that makes you feel like you’ve got the city all figured out.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $160. Loft with 2 × 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $160. Apartment – Ground Floor with 2 × 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests
• Estimated price from: $365. Four-Bedroom House with 2 × 1 large double bed and 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 8

Reviews

• Franziska from Germany – 24 October 2023 (10/10)

  It was perfect. The whole area is a dream, of course. The accommodation is furnished in the historical charm. Very good and large beds. The hosts are extremely accommodating and friendly. Perfect location to explore Lake Garda and Verona!
  
  What could be improved: When you stay in such a historical ambience, you know that you have to make a few small sacrifices in terms of modernity. In the bathroom, for example. But that's absolutely fine.

• István from Hungary – 4 September 2023 (10/10)

  Roberto and his wife was super. Apartemant is great, nice, clean, super. We’ll back! 👍😊

• Sheehan from United States – 5 July 2023 (10/10)

  Beautiful villa! Feels like stepping back in time. The location is perfect and peaceful for staying outside of Verona, but the city is easily accessible. Lake Garda is so close as well. Roberto and Vittoria are outstanding hosts!

• Mark from United Kingdom – 23 May 2023 (9/10)

  The location was amazing and really quiet. The apartments were excellent, well equipped and very comfortable. The terrace was lovely and we sat out every night.
  
  What could be improved: The only two things were it would have been good to have some basic supplies milk, bread and butter as there isn’t a shop within easy reach unless you have a car which leads into the other issue which was our own fault to a degree we didn’t realise how far out the apartment was so needed taxis all the time.

• Santiago from United Arab Emirates – 6 April 2023 (9/10)

  fully equipped and incredible environment

• Valery from Israel – 30 November 2022 (10/10)

  The mood of the apartment was amazing
  
  What could be improved: None

• George from United States – 30 October 2024 (8/10)

  no breakfast

• Timothy from United States – 20 April 2023 (9/10)

  Location is pretty good. It is part of the buildings of a beautiful villa, but you don’t have access to the Villa garden. The location is convenient to both lake Garda and Verona. The host was fantastic
  
  What could be improved: The drive is a little difficult to turn into because of its very old design. You have to careful approaching the gate because of the short drive from the street

• Amy from United States – 23 August 2024 (1/10)

  The place looked nice in the photos
  
  What could be improved: The host was extremely demanding and rude. First, he sent us 3 pages of instructions to read on our cell phones about how he wanted to track us all day long via a location button on WhatsApp. We were touring the countryside. We asked for an 8pm checkin, but he insisted not later than 7pm. He literally nagged and pressured us for info during our day of touring when we were in towns with no WiFi and while driving. Second, we wanted to grocery shop on the way and asked for suggestions. He refused giving suggestions insisting that we check in first, which was not convenient to us. He was demanding location information from us while we were driving causing us to miss our exit. And then we had to find a grocery place on our own, but he was angry that we were late! We missed 3 castles, and then he checked someone in the next day at 11:30pm with noisy children! We didn’t mind the children, but we were told where to park, where to sit outside, and any question we had, we were told to read the blue book. He required us to find places to take all of our trash “just down the road” which was in Verona. We weren’t allowed to sit on the couch. There was coffee in the unit costing ,50e per pod. Our last night we were at the opera until very late, after midnight, and he was texting us to know exactly what time we were leaving in the morning. We were on vacation and hadn’t planned the next day. So in the morning I texted him a time. He arrived as we were leaving and was furious that we didn’t text the night before! He demanded that we return into the apartment so he could check the unit while we were still present. His overall demeanor was very unpleasant. This man has been pimping out his family property for many years and clearly isn’t interested in customer service. His message to us for checkin and checkout was that he wanted to “organize his day” 24 hrs in advance while we were on vacation. The accommodation was OK but rundown.

• Giuseppe from Italy – 5 April 2025 (10/10)

  Posto stupendo accoglienza bellissima la struttura divina

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