We booked a superior room expecting something very special for the high price (€1500 for 3 nights b&b). We were given a very small room (room 211) with a view of trees that looked exactly like the cheaper standard room photo on their website. We complained to reception and initially the receptionist was very defensive and unhelpful and said the photo wasn’t on their website (they eventually admitted it was and said they would change it). He then said they’d just had a cancellation and moved us to a superior room with a good view. It was however a pretty average room with very dated bathroom and cheap fittings. (This was room 207. Beware room 211!). Room 207 was in the old building, which has a lovely courtyard although it’s not used because there is no obvious service there. The hotel’s lounge/ bar was really drab and unused. The outside terrace was shared with the public so we had to queue, and stopped using it. Food at dinner and breakfast was good and the guitarist who played during dinner was wonderful. Hotel gardens were great, and some of the staff were friendly and helpful. We complained by email to the General Manager about the room and other disappointments, too long to list here,. She told us a different story to the receptionist about our superior room - that the occupants of room 207 had been upgraded rather than cancelled. Her initial email response was defensive but did she did eventually say she was sorry the hotel didn’t meet expectations and that she would note our various points. Overall we would not recommend unless the prices were vastly reduced.…
During our trip across Southern Spain, we had the privilege at staying at some beautiful hotels and was looking forward to our stay at the Parador. How very disappointing to find that the overall experience was....lacking. The rooms are comfortable but small, windows that open but agree with others regarding the bugs coming in. I found the front staff to be friendly and efficient but the service at the restaurant was the worst I have ever experienced. The staff was aloof, indifferent and you felt that you were bothering them by asking to place an order. This was apparent for dinner our first night, breakfast the next morning as well as cocktails. I am told the employees don't really care whether you receive good service or not. I am glad we had the opportunity to stay on the Alhambra grounds but would not recommend staying at the Parador. There are far better accommodations elsewhere for less price and much better service.…
For the price, we had expected quite a bit more service. The hotel is in a higher price category, but the service provided did not really match the price. For example, the hotel has a beautiful courtyard on the ground floor with tables and chairs for hotel guests only, but no service. So if we wanted to drink a coffee there etc., we had to go to the restaurant quite far away downstairs and then bring it back upstairs ourselves. The same for a very nice room with couches and comfortable chairs for guests only on the ground floor - it would have been much nicer with a bar and coffee etc. There was a small terrace restaurant downstairs, but it was usually very full with external visitors, so hotel guests would have long waits for tables and service. Also the hotel restaurant was not so special for dinner - we had many better meals in the city. So a fantastic experience for visiting Alhambra but not worth it for longer stays in Granada.…
You can’t beat the location, and the price reflects that. I would never pay that price just for the room. Upon check in, the staff tried to upsell us to a better room. The ground floor room we got was small and stuffy. AC was not working and we had to open the window, which has no screen and can let bugs and wild cats in. My husband got two bug bites. I would choose a different hotel down the hill and take the taxi up if you don’t want to walk. Taxi is very cheap. The restaurant offers very tasty food, though, and the surrounding garden and views are great.
I have a hard time reconciling my experience with the 4 and 5 star reviews posted by others. The front desk is impersonal, aloof, overwhelmed and largely unresponsive. The front desk manager is a bit swarmy. When we arrived he said he had just received a cancellation and we could “upgrade” to a suite for an additional 800 Euro. Then he said we could upgrade to a superior room for an additional 300 Euro. No thank you. Our room was tired. Poorly lit. The couch must have been made for the monarch’s it was that old and uncomfortable. There was not a place to put our luggage nor was there a drawer to use for our clothes. We had to live out of open suitcases on the floor. They are not air conditioned and the room was unbearably hot with no air flow. If there was any breeze, it was on the opposite of the structure. If anything we felt like we were in a dungeon, not a monastery. They said to open the window but there were plenty of bugs on the wall. If you open the window, then you cannot shut the drapes so you are awakened at first light. I expect more from a 5 star hotel. I was up half the night in a pool of sweat. After getting no where about the a/c we opened the drapes and windows. When we Returned to our room there was a ladder set up outside our window with workers present, essentially giving them access to all our belongings after making us sign a statement on check in that they are not responsible in any way for our belongings. All of this added up to a most awful experience at a very high price point. The manager made the same pitch the day after we arrived about a cancellation and upgrade to guests checking in. Is this a scheme? I have travelled the world for business and pleasure. This was one of the worst experiences I have had for the price. I am also an Amigos of the Paradors. This is only Parador I have visited that did not offer us a welcome drink. Having said all of that, we had a very nice dinner at the parador and a woman trainee at the desk and Juan were quite pleasant. Yes, it’s great to stay at the Alhambra. Next time, for me, it will be somewhere else. This is a 2 star experience charging 5 star prices…
How can one pass up the opportunity to stay IN the Alhambra? The front desk was well staffed and knowledgeable, our room was gorgeous and had 2 balconies overlooking the Generalife (Tip: splurge for the balcony), and the location made a short walk down the hill into town (a cheap taxi ride will bring you right back up) I recommend staying here over the Aurea (which is on the backside of the Alhambra and still requires a walk) or any hotel in town (because Granada is not very big and let's face it you're here for the palaces). An unforgettable experience you should not miss.
Parador is perfectly situated in an old Franciscan monastery right beside the Alhambra. Rooms reasonably sized but nothing special. There were some wonderful examples of service from staff, but a couple of minor hiccups too. The restaurant was not great: service haphazard and our hamburgers arrived with uncooked meat. Overall a good experience but possibly not great value for money.
If you want to stay close to the Alhambra in your own oasis of luxury, then this is the hotel for you. By staying here, you avoid the steep long walk up to the Alhambra complex and simply wander down at your own leisure, avoiding the crowds until the last minute. This parador has its own private terrace area and gardens, overlooking the Generalife complex - this means that 24/7 you are within the Alhambra. The dinner in the hotel restaurant was high quality and surprisingly very good value too - excellent service from Miguel and Marcos in particular. The suckling pig main course was simply excellent! We stayed in room 206 and had a superior room overlooking the Generalife from our little balcony - worth every penny. Thank you!! 😊
We paid up quite a bit for a better room (203) with a view of their gardens and the noise of the fountain; bright sunshine too. The Suite had a separate sitting room, and an enclosed and modern bathroom and shower cubicle. Lots of environmentally sustainable accessories too. We ate the first evening in-house and it was a good quality meal, though the restaurant did have a bit of a monastic feel and look. but good value. Pleasant buffet breakfast with a choice of hot foods to order as well. Morning staff were somewhat overloaded though; very nice outside terrace too if its warm enough. You can walk straight along to the Alhambra for tours (which we had pre-booked). Easy walk downhill for 15 minutes into town; tougher walk back though! Good display of historic objects around the interior courtyard; who knew Washington Irving was a major American character in Granada? When opening a sash window in the room the metal handle was loose and I cut my thumb; Nestor was quick to provide medical lotion, plasters etc and he had the handles replaced. All very efficient and no need for a medic but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.…
The Parador is in a wonderful setting and we had a very enjoyable stay. Our room was a little disappointing, with no view, but the facilities were excellent, the staff helpful and friendly and the food extremely good. The obvious improvement that could be made is in the dining room. It has no atmosphere and feels cold and inhospitable, with lighting that is far too bright. Some subtle piped music and less harsh lighting would make a big difference. This applies to the bar too, which completely lacks warmth and atmosphere. Simple changes would bring quick benefits.
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