Accommodation in Granada
 

We intend to spend 3 nights in Granada in August. There seems to be many cautions re staying in the Albayzin because it is a bit dodgy at night. I am keen for ideas of interesting (preferably), safe accommodation with parking (or easy access to parking) anywhere in Granada.

What about the Parador? It is located very close to the Alhambra making it easy to visit the Alhambra in the evening as well as the daytime.

I've stayed in the Parador (it used to be the most popular one in Spain and when we reserved it we did so almost a year out). I agree it is great for visiting the Alhambra and to have dinner on the terrace overlook the illuminated Alhambra at night is memorable. The "America" is close enough to warrant a possible stya, also.

However, we are repeatedly told there is much much more to Granada than just the Alhambra and if you do stay up at the Parador you are kinda "up there" and away from the rest of the city. If you are willing and able to venture down the hill perhaps all the better.

I have seen only a relative few warnings about staying in the Albaysin area; many others say that it is safe. I recognize that there are always warnings about travel in general and in certain areas in Spain in particular, but is the area considered generally safe or is it safer to stay somewhere else?

The Albayzín is interesting and there are a number of decent accommodations to choose from, including Casa Morisca (www.hotelcasamorisca.com), which served Matt Damon and his family quite well a couple of years ago. It does have limited parking available.

If you want to be up on the hill, close to the Alhambra, there is Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol (www.alcubilladelcaracol.com), where Tony Blair and his family stayed when they visited Granada. The Carmen has limited parking and needs to be arranged in advance.

The Alambra Palace Granada (www.alcubilladelcaracol.com) overlooks the city with the same views as the Carmen, but is quite a bit more expensive, although it does have a little more parking.

The Parador, which is on the grounds of the Alhambra, tends to be expensive.

If you want something cheap on the hill, then there is the Hotel Guadalupe (www.hotelguadalupe.es).

It you want to stay downtown, then try the Fontecruz Granada or the AC Palacio de Santa Paula. There are several others, but these are two of the best and well located.

Granada is a busy college town during most of the year, but it will only be filled with tourist in August. The Albayzín is interesting, an Arab souk, and fairly safe, but like anywhere you'll find a horde of tourists, you need to be aware of your surroundings, day and night.

'There seems to be many cautions re staying in the Albayzin because it is a bit dodgy at night.' - Laughable. If any of these cautionary tales has been written by someone who has actually been hard done by, I will be surprised. It is very likely to do with perception. Stick to lit and busy thoroughfares and the booger man will not get you.
My wife and I have not had a problem in at least half a dozen visits in the Albaicin after dark, in the last ten years, including last October.

I'm not sure of your group size but I was well pleased with Hostal Rodri www.hostalrodri.com.Located off a lovely plaza and close to the Cathedral. While not luxurious everything is clean and the owners are lovely and helpful. At 47 euros for a double, it is the best value in Spain. Book early as they book up quick.

I know when we were there we tried to reserve the parador 7 months in advance and it was full (in April). We ended up at the Alhambra Palace - pleasant and not too $$$ and had plenty of parking. No big deal to walk down the hill (but might not be doable in August due to the incredible high temps - expect 100 and possibly higher during the day).

Stayed at both the Parador and Hotel Alhambra Palace. Had a gorgeous suite at the Hotel Alhambra Palace and a very nice room at the Parador.

Thank you all so much.I will try some of these (a couple have no availability in August)

We stayed at the AC Palacio de Santa Paula in Grenada and it was fantastic and right in the middle of everything. Give it a look.

We just returned from staying at the AC Palacio de Santa Paula and really liked the location and the hotel. I recommend staying in the "older" section of the hotel. We had a room over looking the courtyard - it was a very interesting room and very spacious. The front desk was very helpful with dining reservations and directions etc. We had an amazing meal at Restaurantes Estrellas de San Nicolas the view is one that will forever be engrained in my memory.
Enjoy!

Thanks everyone. We have booked AC Palacio de Santa Paula. Still having issues with getting Alhambra tickets online. Does anyone know if the hotel is likely to be able to procure some.

Last week we stayed at the 2* Parraga Siete. Check my review on TA, it's the most recent one. Ask for a room NOT facing the street!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Andalucia.html

America Hotel is very nice and reasonable. You can taxi or walk into town easily and such a town to visit. Spain does not get much better. While at the America you can easily see the Alhambra as well as go to the Parodor for drinks and/or dinner