Parador de Granada worth $450 a night?
May 25th, 2011, 08:03 PM
#1
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Parador de Granada worth $450 a night?
We are staying one night in Granada and I read so much about the charm, history, character, the view, etc. of Parador that I made a reservation there- the only room available for $450 per night - wondering if it is worth it !
I realize this is a matter of personal taste, but still would be good to hear from those of you who have been there or know about the place. It is especially interesting because I can get a room at Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, which looks absolutely charming and beautifully ( Trip adviser rating #5 vs. Parador at #19). I realize these are two different types of accommodation, and should command different prices levels, but both are appealing to me at different levels. I don;t mind spending the money at Parado, if it is really a unique experience. Appreciate your comments.
I realize this is a matter of personal taste, but still would be good to hear from those of you who have been there or know about the place. It is especially interesting because I can get a room at Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, which looks absolutely charming and beautifully ( Trip adviser rating #5 vs. Parador at #19). I realize these are two different types of accommodation, and should command different prices levels, but both are appealing to me at different levels. I don;t mind spending the money at Parado, if it is really a unique experience. Appreciate your comments.
May 25th, 2011, 10:39 PM
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Whenever I see someone cite Trip Advisor and one hotel is rated 5 and the other 15, I think of Borat and that his sister is "number four prostitute in all of Kazakhstan."
One must not rely on the mysterious and capracious ways of voting on Trip Advisor.
We stayed at the Prador In Granada many years ago, but I think Thursday has the right idea, you can stay somewhere else and eat at the Parador. There is a spectacular view of the Generalife. $450 for a room in Spain is a lot of money.
One must not rely on the mysterious and capracious ways of voting on Trip Advisor.
We stayed at the Prador In Granada many years ago, but I think Thursday has the right idea, you can stay somewhere else and eat at the Parador. There is a spectacular view of the Generalife. $450 for a room in Spain is a lot of money.
May 26th, 2011, 12:38 AM
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I got to agree with Aduchamp1. I think that's too much for a just a room in Spain. Have you tried looking somewhere else though? Maybe you can still find cheaper accommodations... just look hard enough.
May 26th, 2011, 01:33 AM
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please save your money for other things in Granada - stay nearby and stop by the Parador for a drink or dinner. Some of the best views in Granada are FREE (Mirador de San Nicolas). Look at some of the apartment rentals in the Albaicin - http://murallaziriapartamentos.com/
May 26th, 2011, 09:13 AM
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"$450 for a room in Spain is a lot of money." It all depends on what you expect from your hotel, your comfort level, and the size of your wallet. It's difficult to find decent accommodations for less than €100 in any of the major destinations in Spain. But no, I do not think the Parador de Granada is worth $450 USD, but they get it. It's a popular destination for those who can afford it.
I've never seen any of the rooms at the Carmen priced at $245/night unless it's for the Tower Room and includes breakfast for two. We usually pay around $200/night for the standard double room, with breakfast.
Double rooms at the Carmen are priced at €120, €130 & €140 + tax. Breakfast is an additional €8/person.
I've never seen any of the rooms at the Carmen priced at $245/night unless it's for the Tower Room and includes breakfast for two. We usually pay around $200/night for the standard double room, with breakfast.
Double rooms at the Carmen are priced at €120, €130 & €140 + tax. Breakfast is an additional €8/person.
May 26th, 2011, 09:32 AM
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I would not spend that to stay at the Parador. For starters, I much preferred staying in the heart of the city rather than up on the Alhambra hill. There is such good bus service that as long as you are on the bus route, it almost does not matter where you stay.
Please do not rely on TripAdvisor rankings!
Just remember, according to TA, the top restaurant in New York City (my hometown) is Basso 56. Number 5 is Patzeria Perfect Pizza. Wonder how many food savvy New Yorkers have even heard of these places.
Best hotel in New York City, according to TA? Casablanca Times Square!
Please do not rely on TripAdvisor rankings!
Just remember, according to TA, the top restaurant in New York City (my hometown) is Basso 56. Number 5 is Patzeria Perfect Pizza. Wonder how many food savvy New Yorkers have even heard of these places.
Best hotel in New York City, according to TA? Casablanca Times Square!
May 26th, 2011, 09:45 AM
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Living in the Alhambra Parador for sure would be a special experience. It's built on the premises of, and partly based on, the San Francisco convent where queen Isabel la Católica on her own wish initially were buried in a humble grave in December 1504. She was later moved to the Capilla Real adjoining the Granada Cathedral where she now lies together with her husband Fernando, their daughter Juana la Loca (the mad), her husband Felipe el Hermoso (the good-looking, it has been suggested that Juana turned "loco" because of her love and Felipe's numerous affairs) and their son Miguel who died as a young child (she obviously had more reasons to loose her mind).
http://www.capillarealgranada.com/en/cont_index.html
But I think you should have a lunch here instead of spending such an amount on living in the parador. If you want to stay up here at Alhambra, perhaps stay at next door Hotel America for about $170. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/america-granada.en.html
I would nevertheless suggest you stay down in the center close to the beautiful Albayzín area. Take a bus or walk up to Alhambra, all the city "action" is down in the center.
Some suggestions in Albayzín:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apar...c9d006680165X2
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/el-a...4be40f3ac58544
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa...4be40f3ac58544
Some of the most salient young female flamenco artists in the world come from Granada, the singers Estrella Morente and Marina Heredia and the dancer Patricia Guerrero. Gema Caballero is another wonderful flamenco singer from Granada.
http://www.capillarealgranada.com/en/cont_index.html
But I think you should have a lunch here instead of spending such an amount on living in the parador. If you want to stay up here at Alhambra, perhaps stay at next door Hotel America for about $170. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/america-granada.en.html
I would nevertheless suggest you stay down in the center close to the beautiful Albayzín area. Take a bus or walk up to Alhambra, all the city "action" is down in the center.
Some suggestions in Albayzín:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apar...c9d006680165X2
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/el-a...4be40f3ac58544
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/casa...4be40f3ac58544
Some of the most salient young female flamenco artists in the world come from Granada, the singers Estrella Morente and Marina Heredia and the dancer Patricia Guerrero. Gema Caballero is another wonderful flamenco singer from Granada.
May 26th, 2011, 11:50 AM
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This carmen looks excellent, Egbert!
And of course, the queen Isabel initially buried on the premises that today is the Parador de Granada is the conqueror of Granada (1492) which completed the unification of Spain. She was also the sponsor of Columbus first journey to the Américas, also in 1492, which led to the creation of the Spanish empire. Immediately after the conquest of Granada, she and king Fernando ordered the expulsion of the Jews and eventually the Moors from Spain. Few other monarchs have made such an imprint on the course of history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_I_of_Castile
And of course, the queen Isabel initially buried on the premises that today is the Parador de Granada is the conqueror of Granada (1492) which completed the unification of Spain. She was also the sponsor of Columbus first journey to the Américas, also in 1492, which led to the creation of the Spanish empire. Immediately after the conquest of Granada, she and king Fernando ordered the expulsion of the Jews and eventually the Moors from Spain. Few other monarchs have made such an imprint on the course of history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_I_of_Castile
May 26th, 2011, 12:56 PM
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Thank you all, especially Kimh for your continued good advice. First, I have to make a correction- Carmen de la Alcubilla is actually just 120 Euro, or about $170, not the $240 I misquoted ( I was looking at the wrong email). I think you have all convinced me not to spend the $450 for one night. One other reason that I was considering Parador was that we will have a car and will need to leave to the airport early in the morning, to drop of the car and get on the plane to Switzerland, via Barcelona. Given that Carmen de la Alcubilla is not easily accessible by car, I was trying to make it a little smoother for our departure - is staying in downtown easier from that perspective?
May 26th, 2011, 01:15 PM
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Staying downtown is easier with a car.
I wrote a report about my own visit a few months ago; this is where we stayed (downtown):
http://www.palaciodesantapaula.com/index.html
I wrote a report about my own visit a few months ago; this is where we stayed (downtown):
http://www.palaciodesantapaula.com/index.html
May 27th, 2011, 03:22 AM
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The Santa Paula is a masterful renovation of a historic property. It is not a warm and cozy place--many hard surfaces and minimalist room decor. I would have been happier if our rate had included breakfast; I had a little quibble with them when we wanted to have a la carte breakfast and they would not allow us to sit in the dining room. But their rules, so....
Other than that, I had no complaint. Location was superb for us. Both the Alhambra bus and the airport bus stoop a few steps from the hotel with the former stopping right outside.
So all in all, I would say it is a very good place to stay, although you will not find the atmosphere of the hotels in the Albaicin or the Alhambra hill. I much preferred staying downtown, though.
Here is my Granada report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...k-in-spain.cfm
Other than that, I had no complaint. Location was superb for us. Both the Alhambra bus and the airport bus stoop a few steps from the hotel with the former stopping right outside.
So all in all, I would say it is a very good place to stay, although you will not find the atmosphere of the hotels in the Albaicin or the Alhambra hill. I much preferred staying downtown, though.
Here is my Granada report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...k-in-spain.cfm
May 27th, 2011, 04:44 AM
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WAY too pricy for me
http://www.otel.com/hotels/alhambra_...ra%20palace%20...
or similar booked with Otel.com with cashback and a
10% booking facebook.com discount code usually saves
me 70% or more for 4 and 5 stars of better quality
than paradors sort of a tourist scam there.
http://www.otel.com/hotels/alhambra_...ra%20palace%20...
or similar booked with Otel.com with cashback and a
10% booking facebook.com discount code usually saves
me 70% or more for 4 and 5 stars of better quality
than paradors sort of a tourist scam there.
