Relais Empire
by the TopOfHotel team
The highest-rated stay in the article — a vintage Empire-style B&B with real character at a price the 4- and 5-stars can't touch.
The highest-rated stay in the article — a vintage Empire-style B&B with real character at a price the 4- and 5-stars can't touch.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The look is what gets Relais Empire talked about. Rooms are filled with dark carved teak furniture, big gold-framed mirrors, antique lamps that throw a warm light, and Neo-Empire detailing that guests say feels like staying in a small palace — without the 5-star bill. The rooms are clean and well kept, the beds are comfortable, the linens soft and fresh, and the bathroom is modern and very clean. Free Wi-Fi reaches every part of the building. Across the reviews there are no complaints about noise or cleanliness, which is rare for a small European property.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is a full Italian B&B spread — strong espresso made fresh, just-baked bread, cornetto (the Italian croissant), local cheese, cold cuts and seasonal fruit. Guests describe the owner and staff as warm and happy to point you toward local restaurants that don't show up in any guidebook — the kind of insider tip you can't get from Google. Ask them about a good osteria in the old town; they tend to have better answers than the review apps. As a B&B there's no restaurant, spa or pool on site.
Location and getting there
It sits in central Verona, so you walk about 8 minutes to the Arena di Verona, 6 minutes to Juliet's House and 5 minutes to Piazza delle Erbe. Porta Nuova station is about 1.3 km away — a taxi runs $9-11, or the AC city bus costs roughly $1.40. Cafes, wine bars and local restaurants ring the place, so getting out and about is no trouble.
Things to know before booking
This is a B&B, not a hotel: no restaurant, no spa, no pool, and lighter facilities than a 4-star — no room service or hotel front-desk extras. It's a small property, so it fills up fast in peak season; plan on booking 6-8 weeks ahead, especially for opera season. None of that is hidden — it's simply what a guesthouse at this price is.
Our take
Relais Empire is for travelers who'd rather have a charming, personally run B&B than a big hotel. You get the vintage Empire atmosphere, a price well under the 4- and 5-stars, the highest guest score in this group, and a personal touch the chains can't match. The only real downside is that it's a small B&B with no restaurant, spa or pool, and it sells out early in peak season — so reserve 6-8 weeks ahead.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Scores 9.4/10 from more than 4,292 guests on Booking — the highest mark in this roundup, and consistently so given how large that review base is.
- The Empire look is the whole point: dark carved teak furniture, big gold-framed mirrors, antique lamps and Neo-Empire detailing that guests compare to a small palace.
- Rooms start at $94 a night, which is the best value of any central boutique stay in this article and well under the 4- and 5-star rates nearby.
- Reviews carry no complaints about noise or cleanliness — rare for a small European property — and the rooms come with comfortable beds and a modern, very clean bathroom.
- The owner and staff hand out genuine insider restaurant tips, the kind of osteria recommendations you won't find in any guidebook.
- It is a B&B, so there's no on-site restaurant, spa or pool — you head out for everything beyond breakfast.
- The property is small and books out fast in peak season; plan on reserving 6-8 weeks ahead.
- Facilities are lighter than a 4-star — no room service or hotel front-desk extras, just a well-run guesthouse.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Verona
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Verona — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in VeronaAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Ask the owner where to eat — they point guests to local osterias in the old town that beat anything you'll find on a review app.
- Skip the taxi from Porta Nuova if you're travelling light; the AC city bus into the centre is about $1.40 versus $9-11 for a cab.
- Book 6-8 weeks ahead for opera season — this is a small place and the 9.4 score means it sells out early.