danon

In Granada we stayed at Casa Morisca...it was some years ago

I also love Madrid ...

Diamantina

For Lisbon, you might want to check out accommodation on or around Avenida Liberdade, particularly between Avenida and Restauradores metro stations. This area is upscale and newer, by newer, meaning it was planned and built after Lisbon's 1755 earthquake and fire. More info here:
http://www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing...liberdade.html

We found this area convenient and safe and plan to return. Our hotel was across the street from the Avenida metro station, making it easy to get around the city. In this city of so many hills, it was only a short, easy, flat walk to Praça dos Restauradores, where you can catch a bus to Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo); or to Rossio Station, where you can catch the train to Sintra; or to Praça da Figueira, where you can board the No. 15 tram to Belém (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos).

There are loads of restaurants, cafes and bars around here. ATM machines were also easy to find.

Because Avenida Liberdade is a busy thoroughfare, it was also easy to walk out and hail a taxi. Wide, parklike, beautifully landscaped pedestrian promenades separate the busy roadway from businesses and residences on each side, so you don't have to worry about road noise.

There are many nice boutique hotels around here. I'd have a look at reviews on Hotels.com (which allows you to search by neighborhood) or Trip Advisor. Check out Heritage Avenida Liberdade or Hotel Britania. Or International Design Hotel near Rossio Station (which is a busier area).
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Hotel_R..._Portugal.html

We considered staying in a different neighborhood this year, but opted to again stay in the Avenida Liberdade area, but you might be interested in the Cais do Sodre boutique hotel we were considering, as it sounds like what you're looking for: small, charming and personal:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Hotel_R..._Portugal.html
Also:
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...-cais-do-sodre

Cais do Sodre is an older, more atmospheric part of town, close to the waterfront, also with many restaurants, bars, and shops.
http://www.lisbonlux.com/lisbon/cais-do-sodre.html

You can easily do a day trip by train from Seville to Cordoba. I used the website https://loco2.com/ to book my Spanish rail tickets. It was so much easier than using the RENFE website.

MFNYC

We stayed in Casa Morisca too! It's a small, charming hotel. Not overly fancy, and well below your budget. It's walkable to everything (although Granada is quite hilly, so it's a bit of a workout)

Vonse

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond!

Diamantina, I really appreciate all the information on Lisbon.

It looks like I still have a lot of research to do - yay!

Diamantina

Here's another the name of another boutique hotel on Avenida Liberdade in your price range:
http://www.valverdehotel.com/en/about-the-hotel
http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Hotel_R..._Portugal.html

There's a festival in Seville in April:
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm

With five nights in Seville, you could not only do a day trip to Cordoba, but you could also set aside a day for visiting Ronda on a coach tour. I thought it had the most striking location:
http://www.andalucia.com/ronda/home.htm

Diamantina

Sorry, I should have proofread first. Should have deleted the first "another."

Vonse

Diamantina: That hotel in Lisbon looks lovely! We're trying to decide whether to spend a night in Cordoba after Lisbon, or just go straight to Seville, see Cordoba on a day trip and avoid another hotel change.

Also trying to decide between Arcos and Ronda for one night on the way to Malaga.

efarr99

I was in Lisbon last year and loved it. We stayed at a fabulous apartment in the Baixa (downtown) called Baixa House. There's about 10 apartments over 3-4 floors. Very affordable, about $150/night. Gorgeous renovated 18 century mansion done in a modern clean style. They supplied coffee, cocoa , granola and fresh baked bread arrived at your door every morning! Our second choice was Holel Britania, the only Art Deco hotel remaining in Lisbon on avenida Liberdade. It's in the newer part of Lisbon and I'm sure we would have been happy there.
But I'm glad we stayed in the Baixa- we were able to walk everywhere and Baixa House was simply stunning. Enjoy Lisbon!

Vonse

efarr99: the Baixa House apartments look great! Which apartment did you stay in?

BowenLinda

Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, a guest house in Granada, is one of my favourite accommodations ever - http://www.alcubilladelcaracol.com/index_en.htm
The photographs on its website don't do the rooms and common areas justice...

efarr99

We stayed in the Gulbenkian-4 C. The living room is slightly noisy with the trolleys going by but the bedroom is in the back and was very quiet. . This stay was the highlight of our 12 day stay in Portugal. It is even better than it looks! ( not to mention the espresso maker in the kitchen!) we arrived early and they let us freshen up in the Campo Grande apt, also on the fourth floor. It has two bedrooms but it was unbelievably beautiful. The next time we are in Lisbon we will book the Campo Grande whether we need two bedrooms or not! Enjoy Portigal- we sure did.

efarr99

Also wanted to second the recommendation for Madrid-Intur Palacio- a little old school but on a beautiful quiet square. Also suggest Hotel Preciados - very chic but still relatively affordable and near Plaza Del Sol.

MimiLocke

For Lisbon, we rented a lovely apartment in the Baixa district and it was wonderfully located to walk to Chiado, The Alfama, Rossio Sq to catch the train to Sintra, etc. We rented through lisboavacation.com and it worked out beautifully.

Enjoy the trip, sounds fabulous.

Vonse

efarr99: Just booked Baixo House - Apt 4B, Campo Grande! Gulbenkian was our first choice, but it was already booked.

efarr99

Vonse: you are going to love it! Its a stunningly beautiful apartment. And when your warm bread arrives in a fabric bag on your front door you will be very happy indeed! Oh, forgot to mention the fresh flowers they placed in our room upon arrival too. Have fun-we loved Lisbon.

nina88

Thought about Campo Grande then realized it has just 1 bathroom; not good for a two-bedroom apt. with 4 people. Just booked Casas Baixa though a bit concern about lack of management on site.

nina88

Thanks for welltraveledbrit, found another good apartment,
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p878701, located at Barrio Alto. I am also considering, Casas de Baixa, http://www.casasdabaixa.com/ at Rue de S. Juliao. Is anybody familiar with the apt., any comments/feedback? Which one has a better location with cost/nt. being almost the same. This will be for a one-week stay late Nov.-early Dec. Thanks.