I am looking for a 2 star hotel or hostel. <BR>Safe and central for two ladies. First days in May. Is there anything within walking distance of the Alhambra? We'll stay 3 nights. What else can we do there?

I don't think there is anything "within walking distance" of the Alhambra except the parador, which is quite pricy and (in my opinion, undeservedly) popular. Try to get a copy of Guia Oficial de Hoteles from a Spanish Tourist Office; it lists about 30 ** pensions in Granada -- but I don't have a clue about location or safety. Can anyone with experience help?

Hello Mora, <BR> <BR>I stayed at a 2 star hotel at the bottom of the hill leading to the Alhambra (in 1994). The name and address is: Macia, Plaza Nueva, 4, 18010, Granada. Telephone number was 958/22-75-36. At the time, we paid $55 per night for two with private bathroom. The place is in a great location as everything is nearby. We did take the local bus to the Alhambra as the walk would have been too much for my Mother. <BR> <BR>Plaza Nueva is lively in the evenings with several outdoor cafes/restaurants. <BR>One good restaurant was called La Ninfa. Very good food and a wonderful atmosphere. All the ceramics on the walls, the dishes, wine carafs, etc. are made by the owner. Don't ask, he won't sell any of them. <BR> <BR>If interested, email me directly for more information. <BR> <BR>You'll LOVE Spain!

Check this hotel out. It is walking distance from the palace and it not expensive! Beautiful courtyard to have lunch or dinner in... <BR> <BR>http://www.karenbrown.com/spaininns/hotelamerica.html

There is another very inexpensive hotel right next to the Parador that is essentially on the grounds of the Alhambra that is called the Hotel America...I am sure they bookl way in advance like the parador but it is worth a try...also, if you can splurge a little, absolutely do not miss a meal at the parador...lunch is probably cheaper than dinner . Our gastronomic experiences at the paradors were so unbelievable and so reasonably priced that next trip to Spain we plan on driving out of our way if there is a parador anywhere nearby! The cost is higher than many restaurants, especially if you are on a $5 budget but my husband and I are still remembering the incredible lunch we had at the parador in Ubeda which consisted of 6 (this is not a typo!) appetizers (4 were free very generous sizes of samples from the kitchen), 2 huge full meals (meat, potatoes, vegetables) and 3 desserts (the dessert of the day was actually 3 separate desserts!) for $13 each. It was absolutely the most delicious meal that either of us have ever eaten in our lives. Enjoy! Viva Espana!

Pensiones cluster around the Cathedral - just walk around with your luggage and the pensiones hosts will swarm you with offers. Since it won't quite be tourist season you should be okay, OR check Let's Go Spain for hostel and pension listings and call ahead. <BR> <BR>I stayed in a pension near the Cathedral for 2000 pesetas/night (twin beds with shower, toilet down the hall) in 1995. IT was a beautiful converted house, with the typical Spanish patio. <BR> <BR>The Alhambra was a hike, but still walkable. Spend an entire day there! If you're a literature fan, Federico Garcia Lorca's house is nearby, and the Cathedral is beauiful and full of history. But be careful of going to Sacramonte alone - go with a local guided tour. Three nights is perfect for Granada. <BR> <BR>Can I come with you please??

I was in beautiful Granada this past January with a girlfriend & we stayed in Hostal Britz, which is mentioned in the LP guide to Spain. It is in a great location, on the Plaza Nueva and mini buses leave directly outside to climb the hill to the Alhambra which is closeby. The people were lovely and the facilities were excellent value - a spacious, very clean room with great bathroom and small balcony for 4,500p per night for two. <BR> <BR> As for safety, Spain was the only country where we were accosted, thankfully unsuccessfully (5 times in 2 weeks). This happened in Barcelona & Madrid, not Granada. <BR> <BR>We loved Granada & the Alhambra was a special & memorable experience. Have a great time!

I also highly recommend the Hotel Macia (mentioned above). It's only a two star, but it's nice!

Another vote for Hotel America...absolutley charming. It is on the Alhambra grounds a few steps away from the parador ( I agree with the poster who described the parador as overly praised..not that great.) <BR> <BR>I stayed at both the Amercia and the parador about two weeks ago. I'd take the America any day. ( If you can't get a room, have lunch or dinner on their <BR>tiled filled patio...very good food, especially at lunch!)

Another vote for Hotel America...absolutley charming. It is on the Alhambra grounds a few steps away from the parador ( I agree with the poster who described the parador as overly praised..not that great.) <BR> <BR>I stayed at both the Amercia and the parador about two weeks ago. I'd take the America any day. ( If you can't get a room, have lunch or dinner on their <BR>tiled filled patio...very good food, especially at lunch!)

As my daughter was living in Granada, I just returned from a short stay. <BR>We stayed at the Reina Christina (family run, inexpensive, unpretentious, centrally located, nice!!) <BR>At the corner of the Plaza de Trinidad, nice square! La ninfa as restaurant, and <BR>Reka as Tapas bar (dont go away if you see the mess on the floor, it shows it is one of the best tapas bars in the city!! have fun!

Hello...I just returned from Granada, fascinating city, I stay at the America and some years ago at the Macia, for what you ask I would recommend the Macia <BR>Hotel ( see Monica's reply) <BR>The America is charming but I think is more convenient to be at the foot of the hill and come up when you want that vice-versa. <BR>The little bus runs every 15 ' and costs like 70 cts. A taxi costs like 3 dollars so it is even better if you are more than one person. <BR>One important advise, you have to get your ticket to visit The Royal Palaces of the Alhambra, and everything else, <BR>at any branch of the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya so you can secure a day and time to visit. The ticket covers all the Alhambra, get an audio guide, and keep it for all day it is worth it and set aside ample time, a few hours at least to visit everything.If you can set aside the full day, you can have lunch between visits in the America Hotel, make reservations earlier, the food is home made and is good. <BR>Do not overlook the Museum in the Charles V building, volunteer guides show up at ll am and they can be superb. Ours was. In our group we were four, and she , a retired professor from the University gave us a wonderful class in <BR>arab art. <BR>If you have any other question please e mail directly. Buen viaje, Graziella. <BR>

I agree with recommending the Hotel Marcia , I stayed also in the America, but the Marcia is more confortable and the location is much better, because you can go up to the Alhambra in the little bus y 5 minutes, and the envenings you only have to come out of the Marcia to be in a lively place, <BR>besides I think the Marcia is more confortable. STAY IN THE MARCIA AND HAVE LUNCH IN THE AMERICA ,s PATIO and other day in the Parador.