Originally a Nasrid palace built in the late 15th century, the Parador de Granada is now an upscale hotel offering the unique experience of staying inside La Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the common spaces feature antiques and traces of the building’s grand past, but its 40 rooms are contemporary, with understated Spanish decor and up-to-date amenities, such as flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Highlights include a traditional restaurant -- known for having hosted former first lady Michelle Obama -- gorgeous, serene grounds, and striking ruins dating back to the 15th century. Just note that there is no fitness center on-site, and that the city center is a 15-minute walk down a steep path.
Originally a Nasrid palace built in the late 15th century, the Parador de Granada is now an upscale hotel offering the unique experience of staying inside La Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the common spaces feature antiques and traces of the building’s grand past, but its 40 rooms are contemporary, with understated Spanish decor and up-to-date amenities, such as flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Highlights include a traditional restaurant -- known for having hosted former first lady Michelle Obama -- gorgeous, serene grounds, and striking ruins dating back to the 15th century. Just note that there is no fitness center on-site, and that the city center is a 15-minute walk down a steep path.
The historic Palacio de Santa Ines boutique hotel’s 35 rooms are divided between two 16th-century Mudéjar-style buildings. The inner courtyard is particularly fantastic: its filled with fruit trees, fountains, and frescos painted by two of Rafael’s disciples. The location in the Albayzin district, a few minutes from the Granada Cathedral, makes it convenient for exploring the city on foot (expect a 20-minute walk to Alhambra Fortress). Individually decorated rooms are comfortable and full of personality, though the historic buildings do show some age. Views of the Alhambra from the terrace and some rooms are stunning. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi are nice perks, but there's no on-site restaurant.
The historic Palacio de Santa Ines boutique hotel’s 35 rooms are divided between two 16th-century Mudéjar-style buildings. The inner courtyard is particularly fantastic: its filled with fruit trees, fountains, and frescos painted by two of Rafael’s disciples. The location in the Albayzin district, a few minutes from the Granada Cathedral, makes it convenient for exploring the city on foot (expect a 20-minute walk to Alhambra Fortress). Individually decorated rooms are comfortable and full of personality, though the historic buildings do show some age. Views of the Alhambra from the terrace and some rooms are stunning. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi are nice perks, but there's no on-site restaurant.
The 185-room Hotel Macia Real de la Alhambra combines aspects of modern and ancient Andalusia, with chic, contemporary decor in public spaces, and a traditional hammam at the luxe on-site spa. The location is significantly removed from the city center, but public transportation stops right by the hotel, and the hotel's restaurant and facilities -- including a rooftop pool -- are nice enough that most find a stay at this hotel worth the trade-off.
The 185-room Hotel Macia Real de la Alhambra combines aspects of modern and ancient Andalusia, with chic, contemporary decor in public spaces, and a traditional hammam at the luxe on-site spa. The location is significantly removed from the city center, but public transportation stops right by the hotel, and the hotel's restaurant and facilities -- including a rooftop pool -- are nice enough that most find a stay at this hotel worth the trade-off.
The Santa Isabel la Real is a charming and historic 10-room hotel that attracts mostly couples looking for an intimate boutique experience. The property is a renovated 16th-century house centered around a pretty indoor courtyard. It's located about a 15-minute, hilly walk from the center of town, but a minibus stops right outside the hotel door to connect guests to the town center. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included with the price of a room, though Wi-Fi can be spotty. Parking is available but there's a fee and reservations must be made in advance. Rooms are decorated with Andalusian details and bathrooms are decently sized, though some rooms don't include exterior windows.
The Santa Isabel la Real is a charming and historic 10-room hotel that attracts mostly couples looking for an intimate boutique experience. The property is a renovated 16th-century house centered around a pretty indoor courtyard. It's located about a 15-minute, hilly walk from the center of town, but a minibus stops right outside the hotel door to connect guests to the town center. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included with the price of a room, though Wi-Fi can be spotty. Parking is available but there's a fee and reservations must be made in advance. Rooms are decorated with Andalusian details and bathrooms are decently sized, though some rooms don't include exterior windows.
The Suites Gran Via 44 is a charming boutique and vacation apartment complex in Granada, located a short walk from the city's top attractions. The 21 rooms are mini-apartments or suites, with modern kitchens and spacious living/dining areas. The staff provides a warm welcome and there is a pretty, common "chill out" lounge with TV and coffee, but guests should be aware that arriving by car can be a hassle due to traffic restrictions in the area (it is convenient to arrive by public transportation instead).
The Suites Gran Via 44 is a charming boutique and vacation apartment complex in Granada, located a short walk from the city's top attractions. The 21 rooms are mini-apartments or suites, with modern kitchens and spacious living/dining areas. The staff provides a warm welcome and there is a pretty, common "chill out" lounge with TV and coffee, but guests should be aware that arriving by car can be a hassle due to traffic restrictions in the area (it is convenient to arrive by public transportation instead).
The 213-room Saray Hotel is an upscale chain property next to the Exhibition and Congress Center outside central Granada. The hotel has beautiful landscaping with ornate fountains and spacious, renovated common areas inside. One hotel highlight is the big outdoor seasonal pool with fountains and a terrace bar. Rooms are modern and chic with flat-screen TVs and minibars, though the smaller rooms can be tight. Decor throughout was inspired by the intricate tile work of the Alhambra. Another pick with pools (indoor, not outdoor) is the nearby Senator Granada Spa Hotel.
The 213-room Saray Hotel is an upscale chain property next to the Exhibition and Congress Center outside central Granada. The hotel has beautiful landscaping with ornate fountains and spacious, renovated common areas inside. One hotel highlight is the big outdoor seasonal pool with fountains and a terrace bar. Rooms are modern and chic with flat-screen TVs and minibars, though the smaller rooms can be tight. Decor throughout was inspired by the intricate tile work of the Alhambra. Another pick with pools (indoor, not outdoor) is the nearby Senator Granada Spa Hotel.
The 83-room Senator Granada Spa Hotel is a quiet chain hotel next to a park outside the center of Granada. Rooms are tight on space, décor is minimal, and furnishings throughout are a touch dated (including patterned bedspreads). The hotel is attached to the Acquaplaya Spa & Wellness center, where guests can enjoy a variety of pools and saunas free of charge. Though a bit far from the city center, this is a good location for business travelers who are visiting the Exhibition and Congress Center. Guests visiting in the summer who would prefer to have an outdoor pool may want to compare it to the similarly priced Saray Hotel nearby.
The 83-room Senator Granada Spa Hotel is a quiet chain hotel next to a park outside the center of Granada. Rooms are tight on space, décor is minimal, and furnishings throughout are a touch dated (including patterned bedspreads). The hotel is attached to the Acquaplaya Spa & Wellness center, where guests can enjoy a variety of pools and saunas free of charge. Though a bit far from the city center, this is a good location for business travelers who are visiting the Exhibition and Congress Center. Guests visiting in the summer who would prefer to have an outdoor pool may want to compare it to the similarly priced Saray Hotel nearby.
The 126-room Hotel Alhambra Palace merits the adjective “grand” -- the impressive building is more than a century old and housed a hospital during the Spanish Civil War. A hotel since 1942, this property is a short quarter-mile away from the Alhambra (the palace and fortress complex dating back to the 11th century) up a steep hill. The lobby has keyhole archways and geometric textiles based on Moorish patterns. Guests come for the charm of the place, not the modernity; while rooms have been updated, they aren't particularly stylish (though the tile work in bathrooms is lovely). Views of Granada from many vantage points, including the roof, are spectacular.
The 126-room Hotel Alhambra Palace merits the adjective “grand” -- the impressive building is more than a century old and housed a hospital during the Spanish Civil War. A hotel since 1942, this property is a short quarter-mile away from the Alhambra (the palace and fortress complex dating back to the 11th century) up a steep hill. The lobby has keyhole archways and geometric textiles based on Moorish patterns. Guests come for the charm of the place, not the modernity; while rooms have been updated, they aren't particularly stylish (though the tile work in bathrooms is lovely). Views of Granada from many vantage points, including the roof, are spectacular.
The three-story, seven-room boutique Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol feels like a B&B (although breakfast is not included). Originally a family home, the rooms, which all have names, are charming and individually decorated, and the lobby feels like a comfortable living room. The owners have furnished the hotel with family antiques, and they lavish personal attention on guests. The Carmen de la Alcubilla is a peaceful oasis, with spectacular views of Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The three-story, seven-room boutique Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol feels like a B&B (although breakfast is not included). Originally a family home, the rooms, which all have names, are charming and individually decorated, and the lobby feels like a comfortable living room. The owners have furnished the hotel with family antiques, and they lavish personal attention on guests. The Carmen de la Alcubilla is a peaceful oasis, with spectacular views of Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
This hotel is part of a small Spanish hotel chain, a 20-minute walk outside the heart of Granada. Its 169 rooms and suites are spacious and pleasant, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. There is ample event and business space, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Guests looking for more charm and a more central location may want to check out the Room Mate Leo instead.
This hotel is part of a small Spanish hotel chain, a 20-minute walk outside the heart of Granada. Its 169 rooms and suites are spacious and pleasant, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. There is ample event and business space, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Guests looking for more charm and a more central location may want to check out the Room Mate Leo instead.