Hello, I’ve been poring over TRs and threads on Andalucia (13 nights in the region, then 2 nights in Madrid-late November). I’ve got my flights and the number/timing of my bases fixed (thanks to earlier advice generously given to me in this forum). I’m now working on lodging in each base. I’d be so grateful for reactions to the lodging options I’m considering in each base. I am working on them in order of our arrival, and so will add to this thread some queries re lodging in three add’l bases in the next few days. My goal is to get lodging booked w/in the next 5-7 days. (I’m squeezing in trip planning around a particularly busy time at work and am behind my own schedule in re planning, thanks to work distractions.)


This is a special trip (marking a landmark birthday and an anniversary). So, we are splurging. We prefer boutique hotels that have some character/unique charm/beauty/”sense of place” (rather than a hotel where one might stay when at a conference -- my work involves a lot of such places). I want to make sure to get the location right—a great area for walking (a major passion for us), restaurants, and seeing the key sights; beautiful; a quiet hotel and a room full of light; and one where as soon as you step out you are not in a selfie-stick crush. Having mentioned that I like historic charm, I’m mindful of the fact that sometimes historic boutique hotels have rooms that have seem better days (while the public spaces are well maintained). In 1-2 of our later bases I might consider renting an apartment. We will not have a car and are planning to see the cities rather than do any excursions. I love it when hotels have a coffee makers and a tea kettle in the room (a mini fridge is a big win). We are not huge breakfast people so a great breakfast is not a concern (we might indulge, but I love that many hotels quote a with and w/o breakfast rate). Really prefer a shower to a tub. Stairs and walking are not issues for us--indeed, we live near the mountains and like to walk uphill and up stairs. I’d welcome any feedback on the options below (or recommendation for others I should consider). I’ve flagged the type of room that is attractive to us, available, and w/in our budget (no more than Euro 325 per night-preferably less).



Malaga—here we definitely want to stay in a hotel. Considering these options:



AC Malaga Palacio

Standard sea view room (with balcony; has a mini fridge/coffee tea) (A superior sea view room is not available during our dates. Maribel mentioned this hotel in several threads.) (I see that it’s Marriott branded—not sure if that would make it feel like an upscale conference hotel. But it’s very attractive and seems well located.



Room Mate Larios

Junior Suite (city view)

Duplex apt (the apt is 100m from the hotel--2 bedrooms with a terrace). We are a couple traveling alone so it’s more space than we need. But the terrace is appealing, and even though it’s an apt, it would have the services of the hotel. The latter is important to us, especially at the start of our trip. Maribel also mentioned this hotel a thread. Were we to stay there, the Junior Suite is the likelier option for us.



Palacio Solecio

On the face of it, it looks VERY appealing and seems full of the kind of character I love. But I haven’t seen it discussed in the forum. That makes me wonder if the location isn’t ideal (or if it’s otherwise not a great choice for a variety of reasons). I don’t want to be fooled by a beautiful website. (I read about the hotel in a travel magazine-I forget which one—I confess it was one of those dentist office “rip the page out of magazine” situations.)

Deluxe Palacio or the Solecio Deluxe rooms are the right price for us. Might consider splurging for a junior suite.



Soho Boutique Malaga (there are several w/similar names--this is the one I’m looking at https://www.sohohoteles.com/destinos...ique-malaga-3/)

The executive double room is what we’d consider (it has a balcony with city view). The price is attractive. Karenwoo speaks highly of it and it does look charming. Not sure if we want to go a bit splurgier.



Any others I should consider? Opinions on any of the above?



(Note: have also looked at Hotel Don Curro; Madeinterranea; and Casa Azul. But anot pursuing either because of availability and fit for this trip.)



Granada—here, too, we want to stay in a hotel. Considering these options:



Eurostar Aurea Catedral

Deluxe room

Deluxe room w/view of cathedral

Junior suite



Gar Aznat

Double room (on top floor) is the only type of double room available (rooms in this category have either a shower or tub—not sure if I could reserve one that has a shower).

Triple room (rooms in this category have either a shower or tub—not sure if I could reserve one that has a shower).



Casa 1800

Looks especially beautiful and I think though “old world” in style it doesn’t looked faded, fusty, or cluttered (these can sometimes be issues for me)

Superior room (available on upper floor of building—I assume in late Nov this wouldn’t be a stuffy room as it shouldn’t be hot at that time)

Junior suite

Deluxe premium room w/terrace and Alhambra view (though room is about 100 square feet smaller than the Jr Suite, and from photos think it only has a tub)



Shine Albayzin

Superior double room with Alhambra view (has a rainfall shower)

Suite with Alhambra view (has rainfall shower)



Room Mate Leo

Deluxe room—looks very clean and bright and room looks lovely. But not sure if hotel or room would feel like it has “personality” – the room is quite modern. That said, as I noted above have also spent time in more traditionally charming boutique hotels where the rooms were dark and/or tired.



Any thoughts on the above options? Others I should consider.? (BTW: others that I considered but which do not have availability are Palacio de Mariana Pineda and Hotel Palacio de Santa Ines. Casa Morisca looks lovely and does have a Superior Room available, but that room may be a bit small for us for 3 nights. And it only has a tub. I also looked at Posada de Quijada, but it doesn’t look like a fit for us. )



**Speaking of Granada —I’d be grateful for the recommendation of a guide whom we might hire for a private tour of the Alhambra for a few hours. We’d be looking to do a daytime visit. (Nighttime sounds lovely as an additional visit, but that will have to await a return trip as I strongly suspect my traveling companion wouldn’t want to return in the evening. If it turns out that a night time visit becomes attractive for us, we’ll take our chances and see if we can get a nighttime ticket at the last minute.) I find Alhambra planning confusing—for a first visit, am I correct that folks here recommend that we focus on the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, and the Alcazaba? And, if this is correct, do we purchase those tickets in advance of booking with a private guide (or does the guide purchase tickets for clients as an add to the guiding fee)? And if I am understanding the site correctly, the “General Admission ticket, daytime visit,” would allow us to visit these three parts of the Alhambra? It seems that a morning start is recommended in several discussions in this forum. I know that if I need to buy tickets I should do it this week.



I’m now working through Seville, Cordoba, and Madrid lodging options from TRs and threads in re fit and availability. Hope to have that research completed within a few days and then return for some advice on my short list in these three final bases. Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

For your Granada private guide, I've recommended Margarita Ortiz de Landazuri in the past. She also does tours for Rick Steves.
Alhambra tours - Visitas guiadas a la Alhambra
I've also used Patricia Ortiz de Landazuri. She doesn't have her own web page but you can contact her here. Her prices are reasonable.
https://es.linkedin.com/in/patricia-...azuri-63404090.

You purchase your own ticket then tell the guide when you've chosen your timed entrance to the Nasrid Palace. The guide will work around this and usually meets you at the map in front of the Entrance Pavilion. The guide does not purchase your tickets.

https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/en
In purchasing tickets, you should choose the Alhambra General Ticket-Complete Visit that is for the entire complex---Alcazaba, Palace of Charles V, Nasrid Palace, Generalife Gardens, etc. You will chose a timed. slot for entrance to the Nasrid Palace rooms. Guards are very strict about this----once inside, you can stay as long as you like. Since we're early risers, we chose the first slot at 8:30 am, so as to have a bit of space in these magnificent rooms before the selfie sticks take over!

As to your hotels, I do know them (my "day job" for over many, many years)

Málaga
AC Málaga Palacio---Marriott branded so somewhat chain like and corporate in feel, no Andalusian charm. I would only choose s superior room here with sit out balcony facing the sea, but again, a bit impersonal. This was my first Spain hotel stay back when I was a mere kid, when it was the city's Grande Dame.

Room Mate Larios---stayed here during Carnaval, although part of a hip chain, this one does have individual charm and housed in a lovely mansion, great location on pedestrianized Calle Larios. Nice rooftop terrace but with Cathedral rather than sea views. I like it but I don't know the apartment. I stayed in a deluxe room with Juliette balcony.

Soho---a small chain, the most upscale of them is the new Soho Boutique Equitativa, housed in an historic building, very sleek and stylish and a 4-star. Great bar.

*Palacio Solecio---would be my splurge choice, beautiful property managed by the high end Marugal group, historic building with gorgeous interior courtyard and acclaimed restaurant. Great location near the Picasso Museum. Lots of Andalusian charm. Nice, nice, nice! I haven't mentioned it here because I just got to tour it in March and no one yet has asked about it. I've had friends who have stayed there happily. It and the Gran Hotel Miramar are the city's premiere deluxe properties, perfect for a special occasion such as yours

Others, the Madeinterranea and Don Curro wouldn't be at all special for this occasion.

Granada
*Aurea Cathedral---very nice, lovely rooftop terrace. Although part of the Eurostars chain, the "Aurea" ones are their top tier hotels. It's a fine choice, I think. It receives a 9.2 rating on booking. When I choose my own 4-star hotels (I'm picky), I look for one with a Booking.com review score of 9 or above, as I know I will like it and won't have any issues at all. But that's just my own method.

Gar Azat---tucked away in a quiet corner of downtown, Moorish in feel, unique, but not luxury.

*Shine Albayzín---lots of Granadino charm in a converted palace but....in the direct line of fire of the pedestrian walk, the Segway trail, the choo choo run, the minibus route, so very busy location on the Carrera del Darro. But the suite does have your Alhambra view.

*Casa 1800---tucked away from the Carrera del Darro so quieter, also in a converted palace, very Old World Style, but not old, tired or fussy, in my eyes. Nice downstairs parlor for tea. Similar in feel to its Sevilla cousin. For a very, very special stay in Granada, I would book a room with a full front Alhambra view (not partial).

Room Mate Leo---again a chain, good value, but doesn't have the palatial Andalusian charm you're looking for I think and not as much character as Málaga Room Mate Larios or Madrid's Room Mate Alba (designer done). No unique personality really, just a good, solid value.

Palacio de Santa Inés----stayed here for one night then moved to another hotel because I didn't enjoy its upper Albaicín area and the climb, also the service seemed a bit aloof, although it does get solid Booking reviews. Lots of Andalusian elements but not as well kept up in my eyes as the others on your list. But other posters may have enjoyed it....
It is on Granada´s narrowest street, said my taxi driver.

Casa Morisca----also at the far end of the Carrera del Darro, where it meets the hill for the climb up to the upper Albaicín. Reminds me of a Moroccan riad. Matt Damon and his family stayed here. Very Granadino in feel, but I´d only book a superior room here with Alhambra view, and rooms run on the very small side.

Hospes Palacio de los Patos----not on your list, but it's a 5-star. The palace rooms are lavish but the contemporary annex rooms are decidedly not, and it's not in a prime location. I wouldn't consider it, honestly.
Palacio de Santa Paula Autograph Collection---Marriott branded and although the cloister is beautiful, and it houses a fine restaurant, the rooms themselves, even in the historic quarter, have AC cookie cutter furniture along with their frescoed ceilings. It only receives an 8.4 rating on Booking.

Hope this helps you to decide.

I wrote a very lengthy reply (probably too lengthy) and my post went straight to moderation. So stay tuned and it will eventually appear! Sorry!

Just to add, if you do decide that a subsequent Nasrid Palace (only) nighttime visit is right for both of you, between October 15-March 31 these are only given on FRIDAYS/SATURDAYS, from 8:00-9:30 pm.
For either of those visits, day or night, you'll need to bring your passport along as proof of identity.
From the web site-

1. It is mandatory to present the original ID card or passport to access the monumental complex.
2. Punctuality in access to the Nasrid Palaces.
3. Carry the ticket withQR code in physical or digital format (including children under 12).

My long post discussing your hotel choices should appear soon, I hope.
In the meantime, you might want to look at what the Telegraph reviewer has to say about some of them here.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...ranada/hotels/

thanks so much--I'll stay tuned for that post to appear. In the meantime, many thanks for the information on the Alhambra and for the link to the Telegraph site. I'm poring over the telegraph reviews right now while at work. (And what a great resource that site it--I've never seen it. will plan to make it part of my next stage lodging research)

Maribel, A million thanks for all of the very thoughtful and detailed information you provided. It's a huge help and exactly what I was looking for. I have to get through a few hours of my day job off line, but will be back at it tonight, and hope to lock in bookings for these two bases tonight. Will reach out to the guides (and thanks for clarifying on Alhambra tickets). I've been working through booking.com and telegraph reviews as well--thanks for sharing your booking.com 'rule of thumb.' Mine is similar, but best to have it confirmed by an expert. Many thanks (for now!)

Maribel, Many thanks again for your advice on lodging in Malaga and Granada (and in re Alhambra). I am getting there--spent last evening reading deep into booking.com reviews for the Malaga options. Based on your mention of the Gran Hotel Miramar in Malaga, I also took a look at it (I hadn't previously known of it).

I've sent off a few questions and received VERY prompt, VERY friendly replies from Palacio Solecio, which is encouraging and what I'd expect of a hotel in this category. I sent the queries to Palacio Solecio bec of a few things that concerned me deep into the reviews (overall the reviews are excellent -- impressive 9.2 on booking.com (w/over 1000 reviews) & 4.5 on Tripadvisor. But a small handful of people mentioned construction next door (both in re noise and unsightly views from the room)--some indicated it was two years ago, while one reviewer mentioned it as recently as 3 months ago. The hotel confirmed that the construction next door has been completed--a relief. A few people also mentioned that in the room category that fits our budget--the "Deluxe Palacio"--some rooms have little natural light (with a small window placed oddly high above the ground, whereas others have a lot of light) and that some street view rooms can be noisy, whereas the interior courtyard rooms are quieter (though understandably w/o much natural light). The hotel has responded to my questions graciously and indicated that I can request (though it can't be guaranteed) that I be given a street view room (if that is my preference) with a good deal of natural light. A few reviews noted that the staff seem a bit inexperienced and that the service is not quite up to the standards of rooms in this category. But I know that (esp since for many years I worked in the hospitality industry) that there are always a few cranky guests who expect more than is reasonable (or sometimes staff have a bad day). I am still leaning toward booking with Palacio Solecio as the style/type of the hotel appeals to me (along with the vast majority of the reviews, in add'n to your comments)

I did take a look at Gran Hotel Miramar, based on your mention of it. There is a Deluxe room in our budget--it's indeed just about the same price as Palacio Solecio. (The Deluxe Sea View Room is outside of our budget unfortunately). I wonder about your view of the Gran Hotel Miramar in comparison. I see that its location seems quite different--nearer to the water, with a pool (though for us the pool is not relevant)--and the feel--if this a correct "read"--is more old school glamour (perhaps a little too 'old school' for our taste) since we can't go with a sea view room (and we are not swimming) rather than the stylish boutique of the Palacio Solecio.

I've also sent an email to Soho Boutique Equitativa. I appreciate that from your clear description, the reviews, and the photos that it is very different in style, feel, and level compared to the other two. But the Soho Boutique Equitativa does have a "double room with views" available and a "Junior suite" available. I've just written to get a bit more info on the view from the "double room with views" (beyond the photo on the website) and to inquire if there are views from the junior suite (the photos suggest as much, but there is no mention in the description of views). The prices are very attractive-not surprising of course as it's a different kind of hotel with a different vibe. But I thought I should do a final bit of due diligence on these three options before booking, especially since Malaga is our shortest stay (2 nights only, and I just realized this morning that our int'l flight from the USA arrives Malaga at 4pm-- so that first night is indeed a short one--no doubt check in, wash up, some walking in town or by the water, and then dinner out). All of our other bases involve longer stays, so I started to wonder this morning whether I should save some of our lodging $ for the longer stays at more wow factor lodging. These are some things I am mulling today (of course reactions from you or any other fodorites welcome, as always!) before booking in Malaga while starting to dig into the Granada options that you so kindly reflected upon. thanks in advance for any thoughts

As to Palacio Soelcio, it's a project of the highly regarded Marugal hotel management group, who manage the Urso and Totem (where we've stayed) in Madrid, the Akelarre 3 Michelin-stared restaurant/hotel in San Sebastián, the new Vermelho in Melides, Portugal by Christian Louboutin, the ultra luxury Cap Rocat in Palma and the Torralbenc in Menorca. You get the drift.....We've known this high end group for a number of years, since their inception. They just do things right.

I know both the Solecio and the Gran Hotel Miramar, which as been many things over the years and a few years ago was converted back to a Grand Luxe luxury hotel, member of Leading Hotels of the World . As you can see from the photos it has a very Moorish décor (minimalist Moorish in the guest rooms), a lovely lobby with Alhambra-like décor, and a beautiful terrace and pool, but that won't be a drawing card for you. It´s a further walk from the center city sights, across from Malagueta beach, so for a short 2-night stay, not so convenient, and thus, I won't recommend it. I think you can cross it off the list for 2 nights.

Many thanks, Maribel, for your as always thoughtful replies. I appreciate all that you've shared. Will cross Gran Hotel Miramar off the list for this particular trip owing to timing of our trip and the shortness of our stay. We will try it during a future trip during pool season and for a longer stay. I have been tremendously impressed already with the responsiveness of the staff at the Palacio Solecio in response to some questions I posed via email. This sounds not at all surprising given the very impressive reviews (there will always be a few unreasonable guests as I learned full well when working in the restaurant of a 5 hotel in NY decades ago) and what you've said both in reply to my original query and just now (many thanks). I've loved the few opportunities I've had to stay in hotels that are members of LHW (usually I have to be more budget conscious). I will just await a reply from Soho Boutique Equitativa in Malaga in the next hour or so the re the view question (VERY different kind of lodging, I can fully appreciate) and meanwhile drill down into the Granada lodging options (based on your thoughtful replies yesterday) just to see how best to allocate our trip lodging $ betw our Malaga and Granada bases (before moving onto my other bases). Thank you again.

You´re welcome. Now on to your next bases!

We stayed at Room Mate Leo in 2019 for 2 nights. The room was very comfortable and we slept well on the first night. The second night, a Friday, was when we discovered that the windows are not sound proofed. And the party goes on all night in Granada. It felt like we didn't sleep at all.

Jackie44-thanks for what you shared. It's really helpful, especially since DH is a light (and not an easy) sleeper. Thanks for the warning--this really matters to our ability to enjoy a vacation together!

This will not help with hotels but maybe there is a tidbit or two that might be of use..your trip will be wonderful, I'm sure!!


MADRID AND GRANADA--A Magical Winter Week in Spain

Thanks very much EksCrunchy—I have devoured so many of your TRs, including this one. I’ll surely be studying this report - along with others you and so many here have shared - on dining and organizing one’s visit to Andalusia and Madrid. (And am following in real time your live report from southern Italy.) Many thanks for the link to this excellent report on Madrid and Granada, which I’ve just enjoyed reading. Indeed, I’ve been searching unsuccessfully in VBRO for an apt you raved about in Seville in another report. I haven’t had luck finding it there so I am going to see if it has moved to booking.com or Airbnb. Thanks again-and enjoy your remaining time in bella l’Italia

On Granada lodging (3 nights), I’m having a bit of analysis paralysis. I am fortunate to have two outstanding options—indeed I have reserved both at the fully refundable rate and will cancel one booking in the next few days. Both hotels seem quite atmospheric in different ways. For my dates (and given our budget—higher than would normally be the case for us--and room type/style/amenity preferences), these are my two options.

Aurea Cathedral—Junior Suite (I’ve written to the hotel and they can’t guarantee a room with a walk in shower instead of a tub with hand held hose--but they will try to accommodate my preference upon check in; staff said jr suites are quiet and have good natural light; coffee machine and kettle in room). The room looks very bright, modern (though not interestingly so), and comfortable; location seems great and quite beautiful; and I’ve previously enjoyed staying in historic buildings w/some ruins you can view, but then with thoroughly modern rooms. Staff have responded to the questions I asked via email re shower/natural light, but in a more formulaic, much cooler way. This is not at all surprising since this is larger hotel and part of a chain, albeit very upscale. The booking.com rating of 9.2 (lots of reviews) is impressive, and even reading many of the reviews you can see that the guests love the hotel and the location.

Casa 1800—Jr Suite (located on the 1st or 2nd floor, i..e, not ground level; inner courtyard view; staff said room has good natural light and is quiet; but the only option is a tub with the hand held hose—frankly we don’t love washing up this way, but have done a fair bit of it in Europe over the years, incl for several months in a rental apartment in Bologna, but the deeper we get in middle age the more we appreciate a comfortable shower; coffee in room and staff said they would give us a kettle as is my preference). The room and the setting clearly have great charm and a real elegance. Staff have responded to my queries in a warm, personal way (also not surprising given the type of hotel). Booking.com rating 8.8 is strong (and reviews seem impressive, especially for the larger rooms in re light and quiet). Many people mention the afternoon tea, which sounds quite nice and befits the setting, but I suspect we will be exploring the city or going to one of the teahouses in the afternoon given that we only have 3 nights.

Pity about the location of the Shine since they do have a suite with Alhambra View available (w/rainfall shower). But the location in the heart of tourist madness (thanks to Maribel for pointing this out) makes it hard to imagine it working for us. I’d worry about noise in particular (as DH is a light sleeper).

Anyone care to offer an opinion on our option at Aurea Cathedral versus Casa 1800? Apologies if it seems strange to ask, but I keep going round and round and would appreciate a fresh pair of eyes so I can free up a room.

PS Haven’t yet stayed at Palacio Solecio in Malaga. But the staff have been wonderful already in terms of inquiring about preferences, both when I reached out before making a reservation and since.

Ekscrunchy: I've written to Spain Select to inquire if they are now listing the apartment you mentioned in Seville, having reread a TR of yours where you mentioned this company. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime I'm reviewing lots of Seville options that are mentioned throughout the forum.

You don't want a room in the Casa 1800 on the ground floor, as there won't be privacy, so I would chose floor 2.
The amenities are fewer here (they'll give you a kettle rather than your having your own Nespresso type machine but perhaps you prefer a kettle) and tub with hand held hose (I fully admit to hating them than at the Aurea. But...the complimentary afternoon tea in the drawing room is a nice touch as is coffee all day, but since you only have 3 nights, you'll probably be out and about most of the time. And as you know, Granada is full of Moroccan style tea houses in its "little Casbah".

If you click on the reviews on Booking.com, where it gives the rating and # of reviews, you can filter the issues that are most important to you. I always do that, and don't just look at the topics listed first, but click on Show More to all the topics that have been discussed by prior guests (quiet, lift, coffee, etc.).

The Aurea sits closer to the cathedral and Royal Chapel, and it will have the greater comfort level all around since the Aureas are the top tier level, but without the Old European charm of the Casa 1800 since it´s a corporate hotel. I would chose which is more important to you---the nicer in room amenities or that special charm of an historic building and smaller hotel with a more personal feel. For me, the Casa 1800 oozes with charm.

About the Home Club (used to be known as Spain Select) apartments-----We. did stay in one fairly recently in Sevilla that left a GREAT deal to be desired and did not live up AT ALL to the lovely online photos. Our greeter provided little to no information about the flat, but we know Sevilla very, very well, so that didn't matter.
Please be aware of all this with the Home Select properties.

That said, it appears from their web page that they've pulled out of the Seville market all together and now concentrate only on Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona and Málaga.
The agency that has many Seville apartments is Genteel Homes, who are also in Madrid.

We also had a flat from Home Club (formerly Spain Select) very recently in Madrid, although in an elegant location in the posh Almagro neighborhood, it did have several issues, some resolved, some not.

It's a company that has some very nice properties but....again, our greeter had never been in the apartment so couldn't explain how appliances worked or give us the wi-fi code (the cleaning lady finally figured it out for me), the hair dryer was missing (they did bring one the next day), no info about where to recycle and in general in the understaffed office, the right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. Just a few caveats.... Other Fodorites have had quite successful rentals with them for a 3-4 day stay, but ours was a month-long rental, and a pricey one at that. Home Club simply has too many rentals now, both short term and long term, than they can handle perfectly smoothly, with aplomb, in my recent experience.

Maribel, As always your advice is generous and thoughtful. (I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who doesn't like the tub/shower hose set up. If it weren't for that issue (in re the type of room available for our dates), Casa 1800 would be the only choice for us. Thanks very much for all that you've shared, including the tip on add'l ways to screen in booking.com. Indeed, it was a few mentions of privacy and some noise in the ground level courtyard facing rooms that caused me to inquire as to the precise floor level for the Jr Suites at Casa. I've saved information you've shared in another thread on the teahouses and Arab pastries in Granada -- this is high on our must do list.

And thanks very much on the apt rental (I consider myself well warned now)--a mention of a fabulous apt in Seville rented years ago through that agency in an ekscrunchy report sent me off on a search for it. But I am in the process of checking on availability of apts that you and others have mentioned here and am reviewing the hotels frequently mentioned, too. I'm not certain yet if we are going to go the apt or hotel route in Seville, where we will be for 5 nights. My usual rule of thumb is that I must be there for at least 5 (more generally at least 7 nights) for an apt to begin to make sense. I've overall been very fortunate with so many apt rentals, but a few that were very creatively photographed (and where, as you describe, problems weren't addressed and where a representative was no where in sight) has made me more cautious about apts for anything but extended stays w a companion. Indeed, I had quite a row with airbnb a few years ago about the most impossibly photographed apt imaginable that I'd rented for 6 weeks--ultimately they did issue me a refund for all but the three miserable nights we spent at the apt. Since then I've been very cautious. Thanks again for all of your expert counsel. It means a great deal.

My rule of thumb for apartments is 7 nights, but everyone is different.
Now, on to Sevilla!

A very good rule of thumb to be sure! thanks for sharing