we are going to spain next month and could not get into the alhambra palace in granada. both the hotel san anton and the hotel saray have been recommended to us. is one more preferable than the other? why? thank you for your input.

carol,<BR>Of the two, I'd say the Saray, as it seems more similar in comfort/amenities to the Alhambra Palace, it being the most "upscale" of the downtown business class/convention hotels. Believe the San Anton is just a scale below. They're both located in the newer section, near the convention center, and have pools.<BR><BR>Although I'm not too fond of downtown Granada, you might want to consider the brand new (as of July) 5 star AC Palacio de Santa Paula, right on the Gran Via, 2 blks from the Cathedral. It's a careful refurbishment of a convent, keeping the cloister, and the pictures look lovely. Wkd. prices for Sept. are running 142 euros. See it at<BR>www.ac-hoteles.com<BR><BR>We're real fans of the AC chain-very hip, up to date, lots of extras/freebies, super efficient. Kind of like "W"'s in design but better and without the frenetic lobby bar scene. It's a fast growing group, founded by the super successful hotelier, Antonio Catalan, who created the NH chain. He's a perfectionist who's constantly tinkering, improving, to get the details just right. His "Gran Clase" properties are terrific. He's begun converting historic convents/palaces in prominent cities (Salamanca, Santiago) into 5 star hotels. Opening a lux. hotel in Madrid in '03, the "Alfonso XII" at the edge of the Retiro.<BR>Just a thought...

thank you, maribel,for the suggestion. i did get on the site you recommended and am interested in this hotel. my only concern is that i once stayed in a refurbished convent and the rooms were spartan and tiny! but these do seem to have wonderful amenities. thanks again for the post.

carol,<BR>Yes, I've had experience with those spartan, miniscule former convent rms as well.<BR><BR>I should have explained that this AC is actually a refurbishment of 3 contiguous buildings: a 16th c convent, a group of Moorish houses predating the convent and a late 19th c. structure, so says the press.<BR><BR>Although AC rooms tend to run a bit small (but not tiny, certainly ample enough), the Gran Class ones we've tried are classy and packed with amenities: bathrobes, slippers, free mini bar (soft drinks, juices, beer) , high speed internet connection, great reading lights (a rarity in Sp. hotels), handsome leather bound directory of services, stationary in leather bound case, 4 pillows, snazzy green marble bathrooms with powerful! hair dryers, make up mirrors, lots of high quality toiletries, including a special toilet kit for women, umbrella, turndown service with a chocolate and weather forecast card, etc.<BR>Downstairs there are newspapers and free coffee available in the lounge late mornings/aft. Plus the plentiful buffet brks and speedy laundry service. Antonio Catalan, as I mentioned, is obsessed with beating the competition, including his former "baby", the NH group.<BR><BR>The only caveat would be that since the hotel will be only 2 months old, there might still be a few minor "kinks" to work out regarding service.<BR>But the advantage: having only 75 rms., it should be more personal and not have a huge convention hotel type feel. <BR><BR>Hope this helps you decide.

Maribel,<BR>I just called the new Granada AC Hotel and they have 2 price tiers: 143E for rooms in the historic building and 124E for rooms in the modern building. Not a huge difference, but based on your experience with this chain, would you recommend one over the other?<BR>Thanks,<BR>Kate<BR>

Hi Kate,<BR>If sleeping in the historic section is not extremely important to you, you could safely opt for the less expensive room in the modern wing and still have all the little extras that the AC rooms provide. I would go with which ever best suits your budget. The rooms themselves will be of the same high standard. But I would ask which are the LARGER rooms. That to me, is always the prime factor in deciding, particularly at the AC.