I recently stayed in The Silken Reino de Aragón in Zaragoza on a press trip to the region of Aragon. This is a modern four-star city hotel rather than a small historic inn. Its strengths are practicality, spacious accommodations, and a central position.
The hotel worked particularly well as a base for seeing Zaragoza on foot. From here, I could move between Roman ruins, Mudéjar architecture, churches, museums, tapas bars, shopping streets, and broad public squares without repeatedly returning to public transportation.
Location in the Center of Zaragoza
The Silken Reino de Aragón is located at Calle del Coso 80, close to Plaza de España and the edge of Zaragoza’s historic center. Calle del Coso follows part of the route of the old Roman city wall, and today it remains one of the central streets connecting the modern commercial district with the older parts of Zaragoza.
Head into the old city, and you will find the co-cathedrals, the ruins of the old Roman theatre, and streets with small shops and tapas bars. Head the other direction, and you will find the major shopping streets of the city.
For travelers arriving by high-speed train, Zaragoza-Delicias station is not within convenient walking distance with luggage. A taxi or rideshare is the simplest option and generally takes around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Zaragoza Airport is outside the city. A taxi or ride share is the easiest way to get to the hotel with luggage.
Public Spaces
The Silken Reino de Aragón has the atmosphere of a full-service urban hotel. The entrance leads into a contemporary lobby with reception facilities, seating, and easy access to the hotel’s breakfast area and other public spaces. I talk a lot about public spaces in my reviews because I often travel with others, and a great lobby provides a comfortable place to gather before heading out to explore the city.
Guest Rooms
The rooms at the Silken Reino de Aragón are good-sized and pretty plain. Standard features include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a television with mostly Spanish channels, a minibar, a safe, a desk, a hair dryer, and bathroom amenities. In addition to standard rooms, the hotel offers suites. The suites add more living space, including a separate sitting area with a sofa, worktable, coffee maker, and an additional television.
The bathroom has a clean marble look with a stand-up shower.
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Breakfast and Dining
The hotel serves a buffet breakfast in a ground-floor breakfast room beside reception. The selection includes fruit, juices, cereals, cold cuts, and hot dishes. Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends and public holidays, service runs from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The hotel also has a restaurant and cafeteria called La Esquinica del Coso. The dining facilities offer a convenient alternative when you do not feel like going out again after a long day. Room service is another option for guests who want to eat privately. I did not get the chance to try the dinner at the restaurant.
That said, one of the pleasures of this location is the number of restaurants within walking distance. Zaragoza’s El Tubo district is only a few blocks away. This compact network of lanes is known for tapas bars, with each establishment often specializing in a particular dish.
Other Amenities
The hotel has a 24-hour fitness room. It has weights, step machines, a stationary bike, a rowing machine, and a treadmill.
Private covered parking is available in the building. I recommend contacting the hotel before arrival to confirm the current parking rate and obtain precise driving directions to the garage entrance. Do not rely only on entering the hotel’s front address into a navigation app.
El Tubo neighborhood Zaragoza
Things to Do Near the Silken Reino de Aragón
Teatro Principal
The Teatro Principal is almost directly beside the hotel. Zaragoza’s principal theater hosts plays, dance, concerts, and other performances. Even travelers who do not attend a show can appreciate its role in the city’s cultural life and its handsome façade.
Roman Theatre Museum
The Roman Theatre is one of the closest major historic attractions. Constructed during the Roman period, it once held thousands of spectators. The museum helps place the ruins within Caesaraugusta, the Roman city that preceded modern Zaragoza.
Plaza del Pilar and the Basilica
Plaza del Pilar is one of Spain’s largest pedestrian squares. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar dominates the space with its domes and towers. Inside, visitors can see the small column associated with the tradition of the Virgin Mary appearing to the apostle Saint James. The basilica also contains frescoes painted by Francisco de Goya, who was born in the province of Zaragoza. One of the basilica towers (by the river) offers panoramic views over the rooftops, the Ebro River, and the city.
La Seo Cathedral
At the eastern end of Plaza del Pilar stands the Cathedral of the Savior, commonly known as La Seo. Its architecture reflects centuries of development, including Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Mudéjar elements. The exterior Mudéjar wall is one of the details that deserves a slow look. Inside, the cathedral houses an important collection of tapestries.
El Tubo
El Tubo is Zaragoza’s best-known tapas district. Its narrow lanes become especially animated in the evening. The area is compact enough to explore casually, and it rewards travelers who are willing to order one specialty, move to another bar, and repeat the process.
Final Thoughts
My stay at the Silken Reino de Aragón placed me within easy reach of the parts of Zaragoza I most wanted to explore. The hotel sits close to Plaza de España, the Roman Theatre, El Tubo, La Seo, and the Basilica del Pilar, yet it also provides the practical features of a modern four-star property.
Prices start around $180 a night, depending on the season.
Check rates for Silken Reino de Aragón, Zaragoza online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
I visited the hotel on a press trip visiting the province of Aragon with the Tourism Board of Spain. The Tourism board paid for my hotel nights. The opinions expressed are my own.
What a coincidence. I stayed at the same hotel when I was hosted by ZGZ. Unfortunately, I did not find the rooms up to the standards of what I consider to be a four-star hotel, so I passed on reviewing it for H-S. What you wrote is fair: “pretty plain” sums it pretty well.