GoGo_Girl

Which hotel do you recommend? Prices are about the same. Alhambra Palace (top of the hill) or Case Morisca (which I guess is at the base). We are in Granada two nights/two days. No plans other than we have tix for Alhambra/Palace on Friday afternoon/evening and may want to go back to the gardens on Saturday day. We are two women (early 50s) who like to walk and explore a little too. No car; we arrive by plane (hopefully no strike!) and depart by train on Sunday morning.

mamcalice

All things being equal, I would choose the hotel at the top of the hill. We haven't stayed at that hotel but really enjoyed proximity to the Alhambra so we could visit both at night and the tour during the day.

LaKate

The Alhambra Palace is a large formal hotel, modern Moorish design, and although it is close to the Alhambra it is quite a walk ( uphill) from town. My Mum used to stay up there as she liked the quiet of the Alhambra woods at night, that is till she realized she was missing out of the vibrance and convenience of being in the centre.

The other option Casa Morisco is one I would personally take. My friends stayed there last year, staying in the suite with views of the Alhambra. It is an old renovated Moorish Carmen and its location is perfect just off the charming plaza, Paseo de los Tristes, recently pedestrianized, so not in the busy town centre but only a 5 minute walk along the river. You are perfectly placed for the Albaicin, there are some great tapas bars/restaurants on the square and you gaze up at the Alhambra woods and listen to the sound of the river. Perfect.

kimhe

Would second LaKate, up in Alhambra you are a bit out of everything, the vibrant city life down in the center etc., but of course it's nice and tranquile up here.

Honestyrules

Another (cheaper) option for top-of-the-hill lodging is the Hotel America. It's not as fancy as the Parador but it serves its purpose and it's across the street from the Parador, so just as convenient.

Robert2533

The bus to and from the center stops directly across the street from the Alhambra Palace, so there is no need to walk back up the hill unless you want to.

The Alhambra Palace would not be considered a large hotel by most standards, having only 121 rooms. The one advantage of staying there is being only a short walk to the entrance of the Alhambra. Another is the view of the Sierra Nevada, but you don’t have to stay there to enjoy the view. Just stop in for a gin tonic or glass of wine at sunset.

The Casa Morisca's location in the Albayzín is not bad, and for a 3-star hotel, it's very comfortable. We were there a couple of years ago to see the property and were impressed with the staff and the accommodations. The Mirador room has great views of the Alhambra and the fact that someone like Matt Damon would choose to stay there with his family says a lot about the hotel.

GoGo_Girl

Thanks LaKate and others. I'm leaningg toward Casa Morisco although after the stress of planning this trip and striking Iberia airlines, I may need the "nice and tranquile!"

Ifnotnow_when

We stayed at the Alhambra Palace in 2010 for 3 nights. It was beautiful and we enjoyed in very much. We took the bus to town and back, both day and night and it was not a problem. We did eat one night in the hotel and it was one of the best meals of our vacation. Another evening we ate dinner at a "carmen" (a typical Albayzin house with a garden). We went to the Carmen Mirador de Aixa. The view of the Alhambra is spectacular. Be sure to take a camera - we didn't and were sorry. We took a taxi to this restaurtant and the host called one for us when we were ready to leave. It was a very special evening.

julia1

And if you don't want the walk uphill from the Alhambra Palace, the bus to the Alhambra also stops just outside the hotel. We stayed at the Carmen de la Alcubilla on our last visit to Granada. It is on the side of the hill with, and just a short walk from, the Alhambra Palace. The location is lovely and the views out over the city and to the mountains are stunning.

We enjoyed being in such close proximity to the Alhambra as spending as much time as possible within the complex was the main reason for our rather short visit to Granada. We were easily able to enjoy the the city also, however, as we enjoyed walking down the hill through the back streets and riding the small buses back up.