Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Originally a private residence in a Liberty style palace dating back to the early 1920s, Hotel Indigo Verona - Grand Hotel Des Arts, previously just the Grand Hotels Des Arts, today is a sophisticated boutique hotel in the heart of Verona, which over time has preserved its history and unique charm and is now reopening its doors with a renewed look, thanks to a skillful restyling.
Grand Hotel Des Arts is a structure under the Hotel Indigo® brand, part of the international chain IHG InterContinental Hotels Group, a brand embraced for the restyling of the hotel now managed by HNH Hospitality and part of their portfolio. The attention paid to the historic and cultural context of the hotel, apart from the strong personality that marks the Hotel Indigo® brand, guided the renovation work. In fact, the Hotel Indigo brand is strongly tied to the territory that hosts the hotels and their history, selecting structures characterized by a strong personality, uniqueness and eclecticism, precisely as the Grand Hotel Des Arts.
Hotel Indigo - Grand Hotel Des Arts takes its name from the extensive art collection which have found a home in the hotel over the years, from the hall to the common areas and the internal garden, including paintings and sculptures by famous artists such as Ciardi, Cascella, Minguzzi, Manzù, Purificato, Murer, Arnoldi, Pomodoro and many others, as well as very valuable furnishings.
The restyling project, developed in collaboration with the THDP firm, specialized in architecture and interior design based in Turin and London, carefully balanced the new with the old, revealing the history of the building and giving value to the works of art. The display of the art collection inside the hotel drew inspiration from Carlo Scarpa’s project for the Canova Museum and Cast Gallery in Possagno (TV), which introduced wrought iron and wood for the pedestals and bases of the artworks, as well as a hexagonal layout for internal signage. The installation narrates a masterpiece from the history of interior design: in fact, guests can appreciate and learn as much from the work of art as the display itself.
The reception blends two distinctive elements of Verona: the Arena and Shakespeare. In particular, the latter was the architects’ main reference: stage design, with its curtains and side wings, has been transformed into a backdrop for the check-in counters. The second detail, which inspired the style of the reception, are the arches of the Verona Arena and Juliet’s balcony, translated into a backlit metal element visible on the front of the counter. Instead, pastel colors and delicate round arches gave rise to wafers at the reception.
The areas in the Arya Bar & Mixology are influenced by art galleries and changing theater sets, which, blended together, give rise to a cozy and charming lounge bar. The bar is decorated with the recycled frames of antique paintings and it sports light fixtures created by artists who work with Murano glass.
The breakfast room is organized with bench seating along the side walls under the ceiling lights with a large display of art works inspired by nature. The buffet and coffee station are new and independent to make the space more comfortable. The room has been refreshed by replacing the flooring with a contemporary terrazzo design, introducing comfortable seating under the sky light, making breakfast a more relaxing and natural experience and creating the sensation of being in a garden.
The rooms stand out for the strong contrasts between the walls and the headboards, marked by ample decorations making them central elements.
The Standard rooms welcome guests with an oversized fabric headboard: this new and bold style is colorful and inviting. In fact, the shape recalls the heart-shaped “battlements” of the Castelvecchio Bridge.
The headboards in the Premium rooms are inspired by Veronese landscape frescoes, similar to the watercolors at Villa Barbaro in Maser (TV), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which depict the surrounding countryside with bright colors.
Instead, the Suites welcome guests with an impressive oversized fabric headboard that recalls the arches of the Verona Arena and is framed by two wall lights inspired by historic street lamps.
The romantic internal garden is a peaceful oasis, the perfect place to relax after a day spent exploring the beautiful sights of Verona and sip a delicious cocktail, prepared by the expert bartender at the Arya Bar & Mixology.
Overall, the restyling work has been strongly driven by the history of Verona and its romantic tie to Romeo and Juliet, the theater, the unique lines of Liberty style architecture, and the incomparable beauty of the city.
The location
Verona, an elegant Veneto city located halfway between Milan and Venice, rises along the soft banks of the Adige River, which crosses the city and the low surrounding hills, framing its rich historic-artistic heritage.
From the Arena, symbol of culture renowned worldwide, to Romeo and Juliet’s House, from the impressive medieval squares, such as the iconic Piazza delle Erbe, to Romanesque churches and scenic bridges. These are only a few of the artistic and architectural features the city offers. Today, Verona is not merely a city with a wealth of history, it is also characterized by a lively contemporary art and music scene and a myriad of entertainment options for young people. During the year, there are numerous and prestigious events tied to production, food and trade fairs.
Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel Des Arts is in the Cittadella neighborhood, in the historic center, next to charming historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as well as contemporary ones, in an area that has been modernized over the centuries without touching its soul. Its scenic location has always characterized the structure, making it an excellent downtown hotel. Standing on the majestic street that embraces the beautiful Piazza Bra and the famous Roman amphitheater, better known as the Arena, the venue for countless cultural events the opera season of the same name during the summer.
Guests already get a taste of what the city holds for them on the ancient roads near the hotel, moving further toward the city gates, dating back to the 16th century, or the G.B. Cavalcaselle Fresco Museum, where, in the enchanting setting of a 13th-century convent, they can visit Juliet’s tomb. Moreover, the hotel is close to the Verona Porta Nuova train station, the Verona Exhibition Center, and the Valerio Catullo airport. Finally, for visitors who also want to discover the city’s surroundings, Garda Lake is only 25 kilometers away.
The Hotel
Located in a building dating back to the early 1920s, in the unmistakable Liberty style, the Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel Des Arts has passed through seventy years of history in the city and owes its fame to the Reichenbach family, Austrian nobles who purchased it in 1990 and for many years, with skill and far-sightedness, made it one of the best hotels in Verona. Initially an elegant city residence and transformed only in 1945 into a large hotel without ever altering its particular architectural merit, over the years the hotel has been revisited and turned into the ultimate downtown hotel.
The scenic location and strategic position along the great street, which embraces the beautiful Piazza Bra and the famous Roman amphitheater, better known as the Arena, have always characterized this hotel. The 2013 renovation created a functional structure, strictly in line with all safety regulations, without tarnishing the historic charm of the building, today enriched by an important collection of art works. In the hall, common rooms and internal garden, alongside paintings and sculptures by famous artists (such as Ciardi, Cascella, Minguzzi, Manzù, Purificato, Murer, Arnoldi, and many others), guests can admire valuable antique furnishings that reflect in the original Veronese red marble floor. In the heart of the city, the Hotel Indigo Verona is therefore the perfect solution for those fond of art and culture, but also for those seeking comfort, elegance and security.
Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel Des Arts was acquired by HNH Hospitality in May 2019 and in June 2020 it reopened its doors to the public under the Hotel Indigo brand, following a recent renovation that involved not only the rooms, but also the common areas. Its 62 rooms, which all share attention to detail, have been in part renovated and in part revisited, preserving the original style and architectural features of the hotel.
The completely renovated breakfast room has an unmistakable style and is the ideal place to start the day off right, while the internal patio offers a charming space for an open-air breakfast or sipping a cocktail in an exclusive, calm and relaxing context. During the summer, guests can also relax in the internal garden with a solarium, equipped with chaise lounges and towels, enjoying the sun and sipping on one of the delicious cocktails of the Arya Bar & Mixology.
The Arya Bar & Mixology leads guests on the discovery of the excellent products and flavors that distinguish Verona, harmoniously blended with an international touch. Guests can find a vast range of refreshments, from an excellent wine list to delicious snacks, the typical Veneto Spritz and select liquors with incomparable Italian flair. Design with attention to the finest detail makes the Lounge bar the perfect place to spend a relaxing evening sipping a fine glass of wine or a sophisticated cocktail.
In addition, the hotel offers a modular meeting space equipped with four elegant rooms with a seating capacity for up to 90 people. According to clients’ needs, the meeting spaces can be configured, set up and used for meetings, conferences, seminars, dinners, or product launches. Apart from the standard meeting facilities, we can also offer guests numerous additional services upon request.
The rooms
Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel Des Arts offers 62 uniquely stylish rooms in different typologies: 34 Standard rooms, 6 of which with terraces, 24 Premium rooms and 4 Suites. Elegantly revisited and decorated, the rooms are equipped with contemporary furnishings and all the comforts for an unforgettable stay in Verona. In addition, the high ceilings joined with the eclectic style of the original architecture create a unique atmosphere.
Well lit, the Standard rooms have every amenity and a splendid view of the enchanting internal garden or Corso Porta Nuova, one of the main streets in Verona. The furnishings are characterized by shades of blue and green, while the shape of the headboard recalls the famous “Ghibelline merlon”, a very common architectural element in the city.
Amenities: free Wi-Fi, safe, LCD TV with Chromecast and Sky, coffee/tea-making facilities, and air conditioning. Bathrooms have a bathtub or shower and courtesy set.
Equipped with every comfort as well, the Standard rooms with terrace are marked by furnishings in shades of gray and red, while the headboard decorations are inspired by the landscape frescoes by the famous painter Veronese. The romantic terrace is perfect for relaxing at the end of the day and enjoying and excellent cup of tea.
Amenities: free Wi-Fi, safe LCD TV with Chromecast and Sky, coffee/tea-making facilities, and air conditioning. Bathrooms have a bathtub or shower and courtesy set.
The Premium rooms, elegantly designed with a view of Corso Porta Nuova, are available with a double bed or two singles and join contemporary style and the original architectural features of the building. The furnishings are characterized by shades of gray and red, while the decorated headboards are inspired by the landscape frescoes by the famous painter Veronese.
Amenities: free Wi-Fi, LCD TV with Chromecast and Sky, desk and chair, coffee/tea-making facilities, soft bathrobes and slippers, welcome kit with snack and drinks. Bathrooms have a bathtub or shower and courtesy set.
The spacious and elegant Suites immediately strike guests thanks to the impressive headboard, whose shape recalls the decorative motif on Juliet’s balcony. These rooms are an exclusive environment where guests can spend unforgettable stays in Verona: in fact, they are equipped with a stylish lounge area with a comfortable sofa bed and a relaxing view of the enchanting internal garden.
Amenities: free Wi-Fi, soft bathrobes and slippers, 2 LCD TVs with Chromecast and Sky, and Nespresso coffee machine. Bathrooms have a bathtub or shower and courtesy set.
Design Team:
THDP
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography
Photographer: Veerle Evens Photography