Villa Francescatti

There is only one hostel in Verona:
click here for the Villa Francescatti web page

You will find reviews in the Verona Travel guide from VTers that has actually used. Living here, i didn't and i won't!

€ 18 B&B. in march, 2008

Magnificent '16th century Villa close to the historical center. If you can do with their VERY basic service, this may be a good option.
Ciao
Francesco

Unique Quality: A mediaval Villa restored in the late '70.
Great park, and very good position, at the foothill os Castel S. Pietro, and very close to the historical center of Verona

Directions: Close to the ancient romanic Church of St. Giovanni in Valle, on the S. peter Castle Hill

Considering information I got before about this hostel, I was expecting more.
Personally I didn't like the shower place, where we have to share with other persons.
Anyway, the location is very good and the building is very interesting considering the surrounding area (garden).
We must not forget how staff is kind and hepful!

Directions: Take the bus 73 until the end of the route, then follow signs or ask for directions.

My friend suggest me to stay in hostel Villa Francescatti which is, according to his valutation, the best in the town of Verona. He marked San Pietro hill as a key point when searching where the hostel is situated. Hm, easy to understand not that easy to find it.

Unique Quality: What you see on this picture, it is area of San Pietro hill and right behind the castle, which is on the hilltop, you'll find hostel Villa Francescatti. Remember, the easiest way to find it is across the Ponte Pietra bridge.
I've shared room with three other girls, all of them from different country, and it was great experience.
The room was clean, the bathroom a little bit less but for that price you cannot expect more.

The hostel is set in magnificent grounds (photo courtesy of hostel website), and the staff were friendly. Unfortunately, that is just about all that is right with this hostel.

I stayed in a dorm room, which was dirty and incredibly noisy. The sheets were not particularly clean, either. I had brought a sheet sleeping bag, so I used that instead. There was a curfew, and we were kicked out pretty early as well.

Showers are communal, but ok. I made a note in my travel guide that this hostel served the meanest breakfast of any hostel I have stayed in, which has had some competition.

Unique Quality: The grounds are excellent.

Very noisy dormitories.

Hostel "Villa Franccescatti" is situated in a very quiet area, right behind theTeatro Romano, on the left bank of the river Adige. Although it looks complicated to get it, it's not so, just follow my instruction, writen bellow, and you can't miss it.

Unique Quality: I didn't stay in this hostel and I can't help you regarding accomodation. The fact is that I found in only by chance when searching for the church San Giovanni in Valle.

Directions: On the left bank of the river Adige, across Ponte Pietra - Regaste Redentore - turn left in Vicolo B. Tabascherio - turn left in Via Fontana del Ferro and then left again and there is hostel right in front of you.

The location is fantastic, and the buildings that house the hostel are beautiful, but it is a hike up the hill to get there, and easy to get lost. It was 30 degrees the day I arrived, and I was exhausted with only a small backpack, and others who climbed the hill with worse, seemed to be on death's doorstep. It's worth the effort, though, and once you dump the baggage, the walk into town is a joy, and the views from the rooms.... well you'll probably want to take a few pictures just of the hostel itself, and its environs.

Yes, it does have a curfew, and they do kick you out during the day, but if you want a party place where you can drink 24 hours a day, go to Milan just a little further on. This place is for rest and recuperation, and for soaking up the beauty of the town. The place is also good for socialising, and you can drink out in the garden with the other guests until late on warm summer evenings. It probably sucks in winter, though, as there didn't appear to be any other form of communal area.

It was a slightly odd place, so don't come expecting a cookie-cutter hostel. You may also find your experience differs a lot depending on the time of year, and where you get placed in the hostel, as it is big, and with very different sections. I was placed far out in the back of the garden, in a small building by what looked like a kind of grotto. That proved to be very clean and comfortable, and away from the noise that can be generated by the people enjoying themselves in the garden. The staff didn't speak a great deal of English, but they were friendly enough, and they tried.

I had great fun, and would definitely go back.

From Verona Porto Nuova, the train station, it's a great bus ride to the Villa Francescatti. Almost like a city tour. Take the bus right in front of the train station, make sure you tell the driver where you're going so he confirms that he's also going that way, and hang out the window with eyes poppin!
A young man offered his help at the bus stop and I told him I was fine. He got in the bus with me and acted like a guide and protector until I got off near the hostel. He got off too... and told me he knew of a good hotel. Ahhh I see... and here I thought he found me cute! haha. When I told him I knew where I was staying, he jumped in the bus going back to the station. I hope he had a monthly pass...

The Hostel is about a 10-minute easy climb uphill from the bus stop. It's a patrician villa, with great gardens and all. Reception staff is young and very kind and helpful. The dorms have extra high ceilings, and walls are all frescoed. Magnificent!

Unique Quality: I especially liked the quiet area. Not a sound at night, and I woke up very refreshed. The breakfast was as bad as any in Italian Youth Hostels, hard tasteless roll and bad coffee but I went straight out for a real capucco and almond croissant so can't complain.

The Hostel has a midnight or so curfew but they'll make allowances if you have gone to a night show. You'll need to show them your ticket from the show and you get half an hour more than allowed anyone else to get back to your room. haha.

It's very easy to walk from the Hostel to the Adige Riverbank, then along the bank to Ponte Pietra and into the old town. Head for Via Mazzini, the pedestrian main street that will lead you everywhere interesting and beautiful, including a modern, real sharp, Internet café on Mazzini, just before Piazza delle Erbe.

The Hostelling Intl guide book says the Francescatti has a kitchen for hostellers but I didn't see one.

the pic was taken down the Salita Fontana del Ferro, along the riverbank, right by a café (I know it looks like a church but it was a café.)

This was the first time for me to stay in a huge room with over 50 people inside. The sheets were not all clean and the toilette desired to be much better. From all the hostels that I have been (and such wer e6 or 7) this was the worst one.

Though compared to a price of only Euro 12 (or 13 can not remember) it is not really bad. It also includes free parking and breakfast (though the latter is very rudimentary).

Yeap... I forgot. They had an early curfew - 11 o'clock which really did not matter to me but for some this may be a problem

Unique Quality: In an interesting neighborhood. And the drinking coffeer from a bowl (such it is served during breakfast) was some new experience.

Directions: It is quite difficult to find. Especially for those who are by car

I would highly recommend staying at this hostel primarily because it is housed in a gorgeous 15th Century villa and has amazing gardens. It was nice to read by the fountains and enjoy wine under a full moon in the belvedere. I stayed in an annex of the villa, which was closer to the gardens, in a room for 6 females. The included breakfast was served in the main villa and was simple, yet plenty in European terms.

The only potential cons of this hostel are the early curfew at 1130pm (but I think you can still hang out in the gardens after that time), long lock-out hours (9-5), and I do not think that any rooms are co-ed. Luckily for me, none of that mattered and I loved the gorgeous villa!

Directions: By bus: #73 to Piazza Isolo, follow hostel signs. Walking: 10-15 minutes from central Verona via Ponte Pietra or Ponte Nuovo.

Good, clean accommodation, but kind of communal shower system (don't worry, girls and boys are separate!) No cooking facilities but breakfast is free and for about 8 euro they will serve an evening meal. However what sets this place apart is the grounds. There are washing machines etc. here but there is a curfew!! Poos! But all in all, for the price, its pretty nice.

Unique Quality: Enormous parklike gardens with man-made caves dug into the hill, definitely go exploring - there are a couple of these that must date back hundreds of years. The Villa itself is I think 16th century.

Directions: Take bus 73 then follow signs or ask directions, its not hard to find but it is up a hill.