Boutique Hotel Scalzi

The Boutique Hotel Scalzi occupies the piano nobile of palazzo Avesani, in via Carmelitani Scalzi, in the stretch of the old centre between Porta Nuova station and the walls: the Arena and the station are both about ten minutes on foot, the Castelvecchio seven. It is a position that solves two problems at once, because it lets you arrive by train without a taxi and walk back after a performance at the Arena.

A period residence, for adults only

The property is reserved for adults and makes a point of it, above all for breakfast: the room faces a silent inner courtyard and the atmosphere in the morning is that of a house, not a hotel. The rooms are divided between singles, standard doubles, superior doubles and deluxe, and each differs from the next in size and furnishing, because they follow the plan of the palace instead of forcing it. Each has a private bathroom with a hairdryer, toiletries and pure cotton towels, heating and air conditioning the guest can adjust, a telephone with a direct line and an LCD TV.

One warning worth reading before booking: the palace is a historic one and has no lift. You climb to the piano nobile on foot, and anyone with walking difficulties or heavy cases should know it, even though the staff lend a hand with the luggage.

Breakfast and services

Breakfast is Italian in style and is served in the morning in the room that looks onto the courtyard; in the warm season it moves outdoors, and the produce comes from the Lessinia, the plateau above Verona. The courtyard stays available in the afternoon and in the evening too, for a glass of local wine sheltered from the noise of the city. At check-in you receive free maps and guides, and anyone arriving by bicycle finds a store at no extra charge. The WiFi is included and pets are allowed.

It must be said clearly: at the Scalzi there is no wellness area. No sauna, no steam bath, no pool and no whirlpool in the room. Anyone looking for a spa must look elsewhere; anyone looking for a silent period house ten minutes from the Arena, with a courtyard of its own and no children at breakfast, has found the address.