VERY IMPORTANT: This facility, like many others in Rome, is booked through an agency.... you are rarely communicating directy to ownership, until a booking is ACTUALLY VERIFIED. If you book here, contact GIOVANNA or ALLESSANDRO directly by telephone to verifiy EVERYTHING: [-] This is a mother / son team who are the new management (as of September 2006). They are both fluent in English and genuinely helpful. I booked last-minute to Rome and although I had to move rooms because of the schedule, Gioanna went OUT OF HER WAY to accommodate me. BIGGEST DRAWBACK and READ THIS: the management is NOT on-site to receive you when you arrive... Allessandro arrives by motorcycle to give you keys and do paperwork... so, best to call from Termini, when you arrive to avoid standing in the street with your bags. Also like almost every other smaller place in Rome: They play the cash / credit game... they will tell you their credit card terminal is broken.. it isn't. I finally struck a deal to pay 1/2 credit, 1/2 cash... which they were fine with.

You are giiven keys for the duration of your stay; no reporting to a clerk, etc. Come and go as you please. I found this a real plus.

The Accommodations: Remember, this is a basic facility... no frills here. But, compared to other places, this is a an EXCELLENT FIND FOR THE MONEY! The linens are crisp and clean. Beds are very comfortable. The bathrooms are immaculate and THERE IS PLENTY OF HOT WATER (something that can be very hard to find, even in the nicest Italian hotels)! And even in a single room, there is at least a double bed. The rooms vary in size and furnishings. #1 seems to be the "single" room -- small and in the cellar, but clean and comfortable and was only 55 Euro a night. #3 is a twin room (2 twin beds). #5 is a spacious and airy room, but has its private bathroom one flight above. I paid 70 Euro for this one. #6 seemed to be the gem, large with en suite... but, is upstairs with no lift.

Breakfast was on the roof garden (again, no lift) and was tasty and plentiful. They won't leave you hungry here... menu changes daily. Nothing amazing, but they go out of their way to give you a good starting meal. Fresh fruit, Toast, Cereal, sometimes fresh sandwiches... Coffee is weak, but plentiful.

Location is very good for return travellers. 10-minute walk from Termini, two blocks east of Plaza Vittorio Emanuelle, two blocks west of Porta Maggiore. For first-timers to Rome, the area will seem a little seedy, dirty and depressing... but, this is the case with most facilities near Termini... the area is safe, despite its look. And it really is a convenient location... I walked to every major attraction...

For The Gay Traveller: Walking distance to Max Bar, Sphinx, Sauna Mediterraneo, Hangar. No attitude or hang-ups at all... very friendly. Since you have your own key at all times, no problems with staying out late, etc.

Check-out is 10:30am SHARP! Breakfast is 8:30am-10:00am.

I stayed in the Secret Garden in January 2006 and found the stay fine, so I decided to head back in March 2006. They quoted me with a price of € 72 for a double room and then when I tried to book online they told me the rate inputted by myself was incorrect. I forwarded back their email with the price quoted and they simply wouldn’t answer me. Eventually they came back and said they would check it out, that’s was a month ago. Customer service is not one of their strengths. I would treat any bookings made with suspicion.

Spent 3 nights in the Secret Garden. After some problems tracking down the owner, eventually got checked in to a clean and spacious ensuite room with ceiling fan (very necessary as it was sweltering!). Unfortunately, despite having booked ensuite accomodation for the whole stay were told that room had been given to someone else for the subsequent two nights so had to move into another not so nice room with access to a seperate bathroom down the hallway, for the same price. Roof terrace garden was quite nice. Breakfast nothing special. Location not great.

First of all to some people who had their meanings in some negative way about some staff....just knowing how hard it can be to run a couple of hotels, where you as a tourist can lay down, relax and have a great time... it needs lots of good organisation and lots of pressure...so second of that...MY COMPLIMENTS! You guys are doing a great job!
As soon as I arrived, Theresa received me very kind, Michael was great doing the breakfast (with his classical music ;-))..Alfred gave me some good tips where and how to go to, and André finished that... Yvonne, never met you, but know that you are the driving part of all this behind, realy admire the things you guys are doing so well as a team, that made my staying with more pleasure as the room already was. Very clean, and even details like having a tea or coffee i could make with this water-boiler (..is that english? I am dutch, so sorry if I make some spelling faults)
The very centre was easy to walk to, so Secret Garden is situated good. I had a great time in Rome, but most important is: I felt like coming home in my room, after a long day!

Eyleen, Amsterdam, Holland