Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites

Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites is a sharp, design-conscious hotel that's a pleasant departure from most of what's on offer in this category in Granada. That impression is made right off the bat, as guests enter a minimalist lobby, with furnishings done in a vaguely futuristic-meets-mod style. Chairs and sofas come in bright Crayola colors like red, orange, yellow, and green. There are design and fashion magazines all around, and two lobby Macs for guests to use. The atmosphere has a dash of style that helps make this a popular choice in the city center, and the hotel's five floors are named for the five human senses. There's a rooftop pool and adjacent terrace with stark white mod sun loungers, though most guests spend their time out in the city. The hotel primarily draws budget-conscious couples on short stays who want a central location plus a little style without the price tag of a more upscale hotel. 

It's hard to argue with the location here, as the hotel is situated right on Gran Via in the middle of the city. Numerous attractions are a short walk away, and a taxi stand and bus stop are both within a block of the hotel. The 16th-century Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel are about a five-minute stroll, as is Plaza Isabel, where shuttles to the Alhambra depart. The Renaissance-style Monastery of Saint Jerome is a little under a 10-minute walk. It will take about 10 minutes to drive to the Alhambra and the 16th-century Palace of Charles V, though the walk should only take 20 minutes for those who don't mind a climb. The Albaicin Moorish quarter begins just across the road, and travel times to its sights vary -- expect a 15-minute walk to the Mirador San Nicolas, for instance. Granada's train station is a little under a 10-minute drive from the hotel, and the nearest airport is in Malaga, a 90-minute drive away.

Rooms and suites are situated on five floors, with each floor representing a different sense. The look is refreshingly modern, with mod-style white chairs and desks plus vivid photomurals that serve as accent walls. The carpeting picks up the colors from the photomurals, helping to create a cohesive, if slightly themey, look. Expect a blend of neutral hues and vivid jewel tones in many cases. Some rooms have balconies with decent views of the street and surrounding area (which includes historic churches and the like). Rooms can be compact, but despite the city-center location things stay relatively quiet here. Standard features include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs, but only suites have coffeemakers and minibars. Certain higher category rooms offer free minibar items. Each Family Junior Suite features a sofa bed and access to a private playground with swings and a slide. Bathrooms are as modern as the rooms themselves, but can be snug. All come with bidets and hairdryers, and some have bathtubs (a few of these are jetted). Toiletries are limited. It's worth noting that in rooms like the Junior Suite, the soaking tubs are actually located at the foot of the bed, and much of the bathroom (excluding the toilet and shower) are exposed to the rest of the room. All rooms and public spaces at the hotel are non-smoking. 

Most Granada city hotels in this category don't offer the features found at this boutique property, including a rooftop pool. At about 10 meters long, the pool isn't suited for an actual swim, but it's a nice spot for cooling off during the city's hot summers. The adjacent rooftop terrace offers good views of the surrounding area. There's also a fitness room with a few cardio machines. The spa has a sauna, steam room, and therapy tub, and offers a good range of massages, wraps, facials, and hair and nail care. Keep in mind that there's a fee to use anything inside of the spa. The breakfast buffet (for a fee) includes a hot-and-cold spread that's well-liked by previous guests. A cafeteria serves snacks and light fare, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Room service is not available. The hotel also has lobby Mac computers, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and front desk assistance for things like booking Alhambra tickets. Limited on-site parking is available for a fee, and is only suitable for small cars. Bigger cars need to use a nearby public parking garage.