Hotel review: Palazzo Victoria, Verona

Roman ruins, pretty palazzi and romance around every corner, Verona oozes all the charm and elegance you expect from an Italian city for an unforgettable weekend away.

With fashionable shopping streets, mesmerising views over terracotta rooftops and breathtaking architecture, you'll soon discover a wealth of things to see and do in the UNESCO World Heritage Site beyond what it's most famous for - Juliet's' balcony.

We stayed at the stunning Palazzo Victoria, a hotel steeped in history, that's also stylish and contemporary. The hotel epitomises Italian luxury and glamour, attracting locals and tourists to its dining and social spaces.

Reflecting the artistic, chic and romantic sides of Verona, Palazzo Victoria is located just steps away from shopping street Coso di Porta Borsari and the spectacular Arena amphitheatre.

First impressions

Palazzo Victoria boasts an elegant and sexy feel with an artsy vibe as it plays host to local artists' works, ranging from a graffiti wall resembling the love notes at the site of Juliet's balcony and cutting edge, art and sculptures (Giovanni Motta's otherworldly Momonsters were on display during our stay). The hotel has a real mixed tone, featuring warm hues and antique furniture in the bedrooms to keep with Veronese tradition, while showcasing its innovative and contemporary side, with white leather sofas in the lobby and giant diffusers scattered around the hotel giving off a fresh aroma.

What's to love?

Location, location, location. Verona is a city for walking and you'll want a hotel right in the thick of things. Whether you want to people watch at a cafe in Piazza delle Erbe, check out Juliet's balcony or go for a stroll over Castelvecchio Bridge, Palazzo Victoria is just steps away from the city's best sites. Inside the hotel, there are various spaces to be social or enjoy as much quiet time as you wish. Whether the sun is shining or it's raining, the Orangerie is a delightful place to relax with its al-fresco feel. Club Victoria is a stylish bar for cocktails and live music after dark, and if you just fancy a game of pool and a glass of whisky, the salon offers low-lighting, wooden beams and dark leather chairs providing a members' club feel.

Best room in the house

Once you check in to a Deluxe Room you won't want to leave. Boasting dramatic high ceilings, iron balconies and sumptuous beds, the rooms are perfect for retiring after a day of sightseeing and shopping. Beautiful textures and materials are used throughout (even the walls are luxuriously covered in padded silk). Think Persian rugs, mahogany wardrobes and classic paintings, as well as marble bathrooms.

Where to eat

For local Veronese cuisine using Italy's best produce, dine in the hotel's restaurant Borsari 36. The dining space is contemporary with earthy tones and olive trees. Specialising in traditional dishes with a creative twist, Borsari 36 serves delectable dishes, such as Scallops on Squid Ink with Tomatoes' Mayonnaise and Celery and Risotto "Acquarello" Cheese & Pepper, with Mussels and Beetroot Sorbet.

If you do one thing here, make sure it's...

Delve into the hotel's history. A stay at Palazzo Victoria is like sleeping in a museum, where you'll pass Roman frescoes on the way to your room and can visit a basement filled with archaeological artefacts and ruins. We fell in love with the awe-inspiring Roman wrought iron staircase, which features the initials of the family who first owned the palazzo. Take a look at the Roman ruins in the basement through the glass windows in the floor of the restaurant. To the right of the lobby is a passageway that serves as a little seating area with a huge wooden blue door placed on the wall. The hotel is a space to explore with stories of architecture and the palazzo's past so be sure to take a walk around and soak it all up.

Details

Palazzo Victoria
Via Adua 8, 37121 Verona
+39 045 590566
Deluxe rooms from €240 per room per night