Jaykay06

Yikes!
I'm looking for a romantic/semi-luxurious/scenic/special (you get the point!) hotel for my "last night" before I head back home. Will be in the Parador de Granada the night before (hopefully, the parador said they had rooms but haven't responded since!). I'm leaving from Malaga airport - so I want to be somewhere fairly close. The places that I originally looked are closed [LA POSADA DEL TORCAL and Hotel Barceló La Bobadilla]. Suggestions?
(alternatively, I guess I can make Parador de Granada my last night and just drive back to Malaga and spend 1 extra day in Sevilla/Rhonda/Arcos)

mamc

I'm not sure what time of year you are going to Spain but we stayed at La Posada Morisca in Frigiliana, just north of Nerja, on our way from Malaga to Granada. I think it was about an hour's drive from Malaga. The hotel was lovely but more rustic than semi-luxurious. You can take a look - it is at charmingspainhotels.com. I think it may close for a couple of months in the winter but in September when we were there, the hotel and the views were lovely. You must have a car to get to the hotel.

Jaykay06

Thanks I will look into it. Unfortunately, I am traveling in January - so some of the hotels I have really wanted to stay in are closed. I'm really tempted to make Granada my last night in Spain (since I'm having difficulties finding a nice hotel).

Infotrack

If you would like something on the beach, try the hotels in Torreolinos. We stayed at the Melina Costa del Sol, while there. It is a large hotel, but the setting is very nice, since you can walk west along the beach, go around a point, and into a very nice area with plenty of cafe's. Also, behind the hotel are steps (a LOT of steps) that go up the cliff into the old part of town. There is a big choice of hotels along there.

And the beach is fabulous along there.

Torremolinos is not far from Malaga...guessing like 30 miles? Maybe a bit farther.

--Marv

Infotrack

If that is not your "cup of tea", then maybe try the Mijas area, which is way up hill from Torremolinos, but does have views overlooking the sea. It is a quaint white washed village, but is a bit touristy too.

--Marv

Marija

The Parador in Nerja is quite nice and right on the water. It's an easy drive from Granada and a quick drive to Malaga from there. Of course in January a beachfront location may not be ideal... I'd spend the extra night in Sevilla. Perhaps a splurge at the Alfonso XIII?

Jaykay06

I have spent the morning searching for the ideal "last night" - sigh - my contacts have completely dried out and I need to take a break! Thanks for everyone's suggestions - I didn't want to be near a beach/cliff because of the iffy weather. So I'm really leaning towards marija's option of spending that extra night in Sevilla or in a White Town and doing my last night in Granada (though not excited by the long drive form Granada to Malaga to catch my 12:00 flight!)
So, should I spend
A. 2 nights in SEvilla, 1 night in White Town, 1 night in Granada
B. 1 night in Sevilla, 2 nights in White Town (Rhonda and one more yet to be determined) and 1 night in Granada.

Can't believe I'm leaving on Friday! Ahhh!!! (usually not a last minute planner but was coerced by the cheap airfare).

Marija

Definitely two nights in Seville!

SRS

I would pick A.

Seville has LOTS to offer - it's a great place for multiple nights (we stayed 3 and wished we'd had 5).

For us, one night in the White Hill Towns would have been enough (we had two - we spend one night in Arcos and one night in Ronda - both at the paradores).

Have fun on your trip!
Sally

Jaykay06

Thanks guys! I went ahead and booked 2 nights at Casa 7. Now I just need to figure out which White Town I want to stay in for 1 night enroute to Granada. Suggestions?

Marija

I suggest Ronda at the parador.

SRS

A lot of people really like Ronda best. We liked it, but we liked the small hill towns better.

I would stay at the Parador in Arcos. (But the Parador in Ronda was wonderful too.) If it were me, I would leave Sevilla for Arcos, perhaps hitting another hill town enroute. Then I would stay in Arcos. The next morning I would drive to Granada stoping in Grazelema and Zahara along the way. I would probably skip Ronda for an overall short trip, but a lot of people will tell you the opposite. My favorite hill towns were Arcos, Grazelema, and Zahara.

You should read up on all the hill towns and then pick based on your gut of what interests you the most.

Jaykay06

Thanks for your suggestions. Though both the paradors for Arcos and Rhonda look beautiful. I think I'm looking for hotel located in the countryside (we will be staying in city hotels the whole trip). We are looking for something like Bastide de Marie (in Provence). Not sure if it exists (Torcal looked similar but is closed). Still searching...