Saragozza flat & secret garden

Saragozza flat & secret garden Overview

First Impressions

Walking up Via Saragozza, you’d almost miss the entrance to Saragozza flat & secret garden if you weren’t looking for it — and honestly, that’s part of its charm. This four-star property sits right in the heart of Bologna, tucked away on one of those quintessentially Italian streets where locals still hang laundry from their windows and the morning espresso ritual is sacred. The moment you step inside, you realize this isn’t your typical hotel experience — it feels more like staying at a well-traveled friend’s beautifully curated apartment.

Location & Neighborhood

I mean, you really can’t beat this spot. Via Saragozza is one of those addresses that makes Bologna locals nod approvingly — you’re literally steps from Piazza di Porta Saragozza, where the famous porticoed walkway to San Luca begins. The morning market vendors know the regulars by name, and there’s this little bakery around the corner that does these incredible bomboloni that’ll ruin you for any other pastry. You can walk to the university district in about ten minutes, or wander into the historic center just as easily. The location score of 9.0 isn’t just numbers on a screen — it’s the reality of being able to experience Bologna like someone who actually lives here.

The Space

The room itself feels thoughtfully designed rather than hotel-generic, with those high ceilings you get in old Italian buildings and windows that actually open (you know what I mean if you’ve stayed in modern chain hotels). But here’s the real surprise — that secret garden they mention in the name? It’s not just marketing speak. There’s this lovely outdoor space that feels like a hidden oasis, perfect for morning coffee or an evening glass of wine. The kitchen is well-equipped enough that you could actually cook if you wanted to, though with Bologna’s incredible food scene right outside your door, you probably won’t need to.

The Experience

What struck me most was how this place manages to feel both intimate and sophisticated without trying too hard. The hosts clearly know their city — they’ll point you toward the best osteria for tortellini or tell you which gelato shop the university students actually frequent (hint: it’s not the touristy one near the towers). There’s no formal concierge desk or marble lobby, but somehow you end up with better local recommendations than you’d get at those big hotels. The whole experience feels authentic in a way that’s increasingly rare, especially somewhere with such a prime location.

Why Guests Love It

Couples especially seem drawn to this place, and I get why — there’s something romantic about having your own little corner of Bologna, complete with that garden space for quiet moments together. The 8.9 rating reflects what you’d expect: guests who appreciate character over cookie-cutter comfort, and who want to feel connected to the city rather than insulated from it. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find yourself planning your next Bologna trip before you’ve even checked out, already imagining which season would be perfect for experiencing that secret garden.

Saragozza flat & secret garden Accommodations

Reviews of Saragozza flat & secret garden

• Superb – Caroline from Brazil – 18 June 2025 (9/10)

  De tudo. Apenas um problema com ar condicionado que só funciona no verão e como fui na primavera mesmo os dias mais quentes não podia usar (uma lei). A anfitriã prontamente arrumou um ventilador. Com a ar a casa seria um paraíso de perfeita.
  
  What could be improved: Sem ar se não for no verão.

• Just "Perfect" ! – Sebastian from Romania – 18 May 2025 (10/10)

  I have to say from the beginning this was one of the best apartments we stayed in our trips through Europe, so the "DeLuxe" in its name is 100% justified. The location near Porta Saragozza is ideal, all windows facing a really green area (which is a rare thing in Bologna), but also having in the proximity restaurants and bistros, ice cream shops, minimarkets and a supermarket, bus stops, etc. The space is very generous, offering a perfect mixture of traditional and modern, not only with quality appliances and accessories, but also with an outstanding attention to every possible detail. Our host was kind, prompt, useful and discreet. Beginning from the large and comfortable bed and finishing with the high quality range of tea bags, everything in this apartment makes it a perfect destination for a short-term or long-term stay in Bologna.
  
  What could be improved: The only thing I would add to this apartment would be a shelf for toiletries inside the shower cabin.
  I tried really hard to notice something else which should be improved, but I couldn't find anything at all 🙂

• Gehört sicher zu den besten Apartments, die man im Stadtzentrum buchen kann – Thomas from Germany – 9 April 2025 (10/10)

  Sehr großzügiges und großes Apartment, sehr gepflegt und top ausgestattet, ohne überladen zu wirken. Alles wirkt sehr hochwertig und neu. Absoluter Wohlfühlfaktor. Und ich hatte wegen des kühler Wetters noch nicht einmal den Garten ausprobiert. Die Lage ist perfekt am Rand der Altstadt gelegen, ein Lieblings-Café oder Restaurant ist schnell fußläufig entdeckt, der Neptunbrunnen ist 15 Minuten entfernt.
  Also: absoluter Tip für ein Apartment in Bologna, uneingeschränkte Empfehlung.

• great location – terrible bed – Semvio from Switzerland – 7 April 2025 (5/10)

  location is great (in the old town, bus stops nearby, cafés and ice creams shops nearby); spacious apartment with high ceilings
  
  What could be improved: mattress, bed cover and pillow materials terrible (fully synthetic, I felt hot and sweaty all night, the bed cover also caused electrostatic buildup with lightnings in the dark when moved around); bed is short (only ca. 190 cm); living room not cosy; kitchen not well equiped; garden noisy from traffic; reservation could not be shortened even though the free cancellation period was not over yet

• La comodidad en Bolonia – Yolanda from Spain – 25 March 2025 (10/10)

  La limpieza, el estado del piso, la atención, la ubicación, la verdad todo perfecto supero mis expectativas. Los alrededores, la cama, el baño, la amplia cocina, la comodidad de toso. estar cerca del centro. todo. La atención de la anfitriona a cualquier hora pendiente de nosotros.
  
  What could be improved: nada!…todo me gusto. todo maravilloso

• Spacious apartment filled with old world charm – Tara from United Kingdom – 14 December 2024 (10/10)

  Charming Palace is indeed charming and a superb base from which to explore fabulous Bologna. It's easy to find, located in the southwest of the old town about 18 mins walk from Piazza Grande, just by the historic Porta Saragozza. The walk from the station is a little bit longer but straightforward.
  
  The building is attractive and there’s a nice, new lift to the apartment from the ground floor. It has a roomy lounge with a useful kitchen area and an appealing park view, a great shower room and a large, comfortable bedroom with street views. The inclusion of a traditional moka stove-top coffee pot is a really nice touch (note that it needs to sit on the supplied steel disc to heat up on the induction hob).
  
  Walking in Bologna is mostly level and sheltered by the famous porticoes, making sites easily accessible. Many are grouped near Piazza Grande – Fontana del Nettuno, Basilica di San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita (with Nicolò dell’Arco’s powerful Compianto sul Cristo Morto). The superb Basilica Santuario di Santo Stefano is a few minutes further east.
  
  Across the street is a fabulous gelateria (Cremeria Island) and a great pizza takeaway (Spicchi Pizzeria) and a number of restaurants, with more restaurants and bars really close, just west of Porta Saragozza.
  
  We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Charming Palace and Bologna itself – we only stayed a couple of nights but wished we could stay for a week. There's even a raised garden for you to use if you would like to enjoy private outdoor space!

• Very good – Ludovic from France – 29 November 2024 (8/10)

  appartement bien équipé
  
  What could be improved: l' eau chaude est longue à venir

• charming palazzo lives up to its name – Katarzyna from United Kingdom – 14 November 2024 (10/10)

  beautiful flat with all the needed facilities provided, spacious and comfortable rooms clean. it was special to be staying in the historic interiors in old Bologna. very close to the Porta Saragozza where we started our hike to the Basilica di San Luca. Vouchers for the desserts at the ice cream shop were a nice gesture. responsive and helpful host Beatrice. all very good.
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• Antique (clean) apartment with lots of space!! – Hanbyul from South Korea – 19 September 2024 (9/10)

  The apartment was much better than expected. It looks so much nicer in person than in pictures. Building itself is old but has elevator (important!!) and is very spacious and clean. The owner was super friendly and gave us complementary ice cream coupons and coffee! My family truly enjoyed staying here and believe it was great for the price!!
  
  What could be improved: Everything was nice for us. But few points for other travelers. It is located close to the city-center but can be bit long of walk to train station if you are carrying heavy luggages (can take bus but I couldn’t find the direct one from the stop located right next door). Early check-in is not possible. Water pressure is quite weak in the shower.

• A lovely place, a friendly host and a nice location. – Rosie from Netherlands – 12 April 2024 (9/10)

  The apartment was spacious, had character and was very very clean. The location is great and the appartment has everything you need. The apartment was bigger then I expected, perhaps the high ceilings helped with that. The host was also very friendly and helpful.
  
  What could be improved: Unfortunatelty, from time to time, the wifi would not be very strong in de bedroom. However, it always worked in the kitchen/living room which has a table and couch so this was not a big problem.

Surroundings

Facilities