tbo714

Am planning an April vacaton to Andalusia. In Granada we are interested in staying either at Hotel America or the Parador in Granada. Would appreciate comments.
Thanks.

littlemountain

We stayed at the Hotel America over the Parador in 2005, motivated, I must say, by the vast difference in price.

Hotel America, to be sure, is simple, but we enjoyed its location right next to the Parador within the walls of the Alhambra. Because its restaurant serves only breakfast and lunch (both good) we had dinner one night at the Parador. That, I must say, was an underwhelming experience compared to some other Parador meals we had in Spain (in Ronda and Arcos de la Frontera). The dining room at the Parador had somewhat of an institutional feel to it -- hotel dining room meets college cafeteria -- quite unadorned, brightly lit, and with squeaky double doors to the kitchen. There were other dining options in the neighborhood to the South of the Alhambra parking lot (i.e. near the Alhambra Palace Hotel) which we followed (one on the recommendation of the Hotel America night clerk, Manual, which was very good, better than the Parador).

Maribel

tbo714,
I've stayed at both, and as littlemountain tells you, there's quite a big difference in price, if that's an issue for you. When I've been limited by budget constraints I've stayed at the América, when able to throw caution to the winds, I've splurged at the Parador. On our last visit in Feb. we compromised and found a middle ground in the lovely,exquisitely decorated B&B below the Alhambra Palace, the Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, on the slopes of the Alhambra Hill.

The simple but cozy América has 1 star while the Parador has 4 (and there's "talk" of giving it a 5th star, but one major impediment is that the elevator doesn't reach some top floor rooms).

The Parador has just come out of a year long total renovation, stem to stern, including the solarium, dining room and terrace, and they've added 4 new rooms (all standard). All rooms have been redecorated in a soft, contemporary style (we got to see a few) with brand new baths. The new dining room was to open June 15 in time for the International Music and Dance Festival.

A standard room at the Parador will cost €311 next April. Not sure about '09 pricing for the América, but standard rooms start at €115, and I believe the suite goes for €140 this yr.

Both hotels now offer free Wi-Fi.
At the Parador you'd have free parking.

We ate lunch at the Parador in February when the dining room was under construction and meals were being temporarily served in the breakfast room, and we did enjoy our lunch very much. I had a terrific main course of monkfish wrapped in Trévelez ham and the regional specialty, habitas con jamón (baby limas with ham).

But dining there is a far more pricey affair than a casual lunch at the Hotel América, whose courtyard I also enjoy for a simple lunch of soups and salads. (It was closed for the winter). I've never had dinner inside at the Parador, only on the outdoor terrace in summer when diners are serenaded by a classical guitarist.

While lunch at the America costs around €20-25 euros, our Feb. Parador lunch bill came to €73,30 (two starters, two mains, bread/oils, bottle of mineral water, 2 coffees, a bottle of Rioja for €13, plus VAT).

For another dining option, below the Alhambra Palace Hotel and above the Carmen (where we stayed), you have the Carmen de San Miguel.

Just some thoughts...

Graziella5b

WE also stayed on both places. Big difference between the AMerica and the Parador
as is easily understandable considering the price difference.
They are next to each other so location does not count much. We have not seen the Parador lately but if you can afford it and there is room of course the Parador is better. Also parking on premises is a big plus.The America has very simple rooms. Clean. That is all.
I am sure the best advice is Maribel 's, I for one I am taking note of her recommendation of a b&b on the slopes of the Alhambra hill. Only because I feel the Parador is too expensive now for me.
If you stay in the Parador or in the AMerica taxis are the best choice or if not the little bus that goes up and dow the cuesta. Last time I was there cost for two persons was the same. Good luck.

zeppole

My experience of staying at the parador at the Alhambra remains one of the highlights of several decades of traveling in Europe. And that was before it was renovated.

I have never stayed at the Hotel America, and I noted it's lovely location when I was there.

The interior of the restored convent, especially the rooms themselves, were stunning when I stayed there. Beautifully tasteful. And I had a small balcony/terrace with chaise lounges, above the restaurant, which has charming views of the Generalife and Granada itself.

Nights at the Alhambra -- they are truly the stuff of legend. I loved the quiet seclusion and romance of the rooms in the Parador and the Parador itself. I ate all my meals there and enjoyed them a great deal.

When I stayed there it was about 250 euro per night for a double that was simply beautiful.

Whatever you choose, do not fail to go on the night tour of the Alhambra. For that reason alone, I would want to stay on the hill and nowhere else.

zeppole

By the way, this website has a slideshow of some of the interior of the Parador, although none of its terrace restaurant:

http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/granada/hotels/533

One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen is the sunset turn the snow-capped sierras pink as I walked along the garden paths of the Parador of the Alhambra at twillight.

zeppole

http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1777455.html?popped=1

Maribel

Hi Graziella,
It's great to hear from you, my fellow Spain enthusiast!

Regarding the B&B, I think you'd enjoy the Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, as the sweet and kind owner-host, Manuel, is a font of knowledge about the city (he's an art historian, professor at the U. of Granada) and especially, the Alhambra.

tbo714,
Regardless of which you choose (and the two hotels are literally next door to each other, both within the confines of the Alhambra, on Calle Real), you'll have a splendid, evocative and romantic location.

To travel between the Alhambra hill (from either hotel) and downtown is quite easy. There are taxis of course, and right below the Alhambra Entrance Pavilion-Ticket Office, you can catch the #30 or #32 red Alhambra minibus (fare: €1), which run approximately every 10 min. and deposit you at the Plaza Nueva where you can walk easily to the downtown monuments, including the Cathedral and Capilla Real (burial site of Fernando and Isabel).

FYI,
The night visits to the Alhambra in the month of April take place from 10:00-11:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
You can purchase your day visit and night visit tickets online at
www.alhambra-tickets.es. The online sales are now handled by Servi Caixia.

If you do choose the Parador, I advise booking ASAP, as rooms there are the most highly coveted in the entire 92 Parador network. I did check, and rooms are still available for the random dates I selected in April, '90.

Which ever lodging you choose, I'm sure you'll have a memorable stay.

Maribel

tbo714,
You can see photos of the newly redecorated rooms at
www.parador.es