15 Best Hotels in Andalusia, Spain

The architect who owns this 15th-century building transformed it into a hotel so distinctive that he received Spain's National Restoration Award for his preservation of original architectural elements, including barrel-vaulted brickwork, wooden ceilings, and the original pool. Opened in 2012, Casa Morisca is named after the term that was given to the Muslims who stayed on in Granada after the city came under Catholic rule in the late 1400s. Many of these Moriscos were artisans who decorated houses using materials and designs traditional to their culture, such as arches and wooden ceilings. Though the guest rooms aren't large, they have a heady Moorish feel as a result of their wonderful antiques and unique ceilings; some also have views of the Alhambra and Albayzín, and all have minibars and free Wi-Fi. (Even if you don't stay in it, ask for a look at the bridal suite, with its intricately carved and painted wooden ceiling.) 

Perched atop the cliff behind the town parador, this tiny hotel in a former 17th-century convent shares the amazing view of another hotel in town, its swish neighbor (La Casa Grande). Though the rooms here are smaller and very slightly cheaper, most have private terraces and all are furnished tastefully with period artwork and sculptures. In addition, guests have the use of a large rooftop terrace on the edge of the cliff. There is no restaurant, but breakfast is available for purchase.

In a traditional Granadino villa on the slopes of the Alhambra, this privately run lodging is one of Granada's most stylish hotels. The rooms are bright, airy, and furnished with antiques; most also have private verandas with views over the city and the Sierra Nevada. The terraced garden, with watering troughs fed by an irrigation system from the Alhambra, is a peaceful oasis. Try to book the room in the torre (tower) for the views.

This lovely country house, 6 km (4 miles) from Aracena, is nestled in 150 acres of woods and is run by a charming British couple, Sam and Jeannie Chesterton, who include big breakfasts in the room price and offer dinner for €35. You'll enjoy vegetables and herbs from the garden and eggs from their own chickens, and Jeannie also conducts Spanish cooking courses for groups of up to eight people. Three woodland vacation cottages are available, converted from former stables and workers' cottages. Views from the infinity pool (heated) are spectacular.

This classy boutique hotel, located in a refurbished 19th-century mansion, is a refuge in bustling Santa Cruz. Rooms are tastefully decorated in subdued colors, have high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, wood floors, antique furniture, and large and modern bathrooms. The superior rooms on the terrace have their own patio and private hot tub. The staff are lovely, and the hotel offers complimentary afternoon tea and snacks, which can be taken on the rooftop terrace with a small pool and views of La Giralda. The buffet breakfast is generous.

Built in 1729, this extraordinary mansion encircles a central patio with lush vegetation and is perched on the edge of the 400-foot cliff to which Arcos de la Frontera clings. Inside, Catalan owner Elena Posa has restored each room, and the artwork, the casually elegant style, and the inventive bathrooms are all a delight. The breakfast terrace allows you to look down on hundreds of swallows circling over the riverbed below. The rooftop rooms, El Palomar (the Pigeon Roost) and El Soberao (the Attic), are the best, but the Bahía and Cuarto y Mitad rooms have large terraces.

This small hotel, occupying a collection of houses just a stone's throw from the mezquita, combines enchanting antique furnishings with modern amenities, but its greatest asset is its helpful staff. The spacious rooms come with computers and unlimited Internet usage. Breakfast is generous and is served either in the room or on one of the small patios.

An ideal base for exploring the area, this is the spot to find rural simplicity and stunning mountain views. Though a mere 20 years old, the house has been cleverly designed and built to resemble an old-fashioned village home, complete with beams, tiled floors, and thick whitewashed walls. The rooms are essentially small suites, each with a sitting area; all but one have small terraces from which to enjoy the views. The tranquil flower-filled garden is idyllic on sunny days, and when temperatures drop, there's a cozy fireplace in the communal sitting room. Hosts can advise on hikes and car trips in the area.

In old Úbeda, this stunning 16th-century mansion has been in the same family since it was built—it still hosts the Marquesa de la Rambla when she's in town—and eight of the rooms are available for overnighters. Each room is unique, but all are large and furnished with original antiques, tapestries, and works of art and some have chandeliers, four-poster beds, and access to the garden. The palace is arranged on two levels around a cool ivy-covered patio, and there are several salons open to guests.

Fittingly, given its location next to the Moorish baths, this small, German-run hotel—which was used as a backdrop for the film Carmen—has an Arabian theme throughout. Terra-cotta tiles, graceful arches, and pastel-color washes on the walls set the scene. The two rooms on the first floor, which have their own terraces and open onto the split-level garden and pool, are well worth the extra €30. Breakfast comes with homemade jams and breads, plus local cheeses.

This 17th-century house still has original details like the majestic vaulted ceilings, and with the use of stunning tiles (azulejos)—hence the name—it mixes Andalusian and Latin American influences. All rooms are painted in warm pastels, filled with antiques, and open onto the tropical central patio with banana trees, lofty palms, and frilly ferns. The back patio includes a plunge pool, open in summer only. The breakfast menu is almost entirely homemade.

Tastefully furnished, this hacienda-style hotel offers luxury on the outskirts of town. The traditional courtyard is surrounded by lush landscaped gardens featuring palm trees and a dazzling array of colorful plants. It has an elegant Italian restaurant with terrace and a saltwater swimming pool. The bedrooms are individually decorated, plush, and well equipped, and service is efficient.

Located in the center of the city, this palace was built by aristocrat Francisco Navas in the 16th century and later became the Casa de Moneda (the Mint). Its original architectural features blend well with modern ones. Guest rooms, set around a traditional columned inner patio, are decorated with understated elegance. Enjoy breakfast on the outside terrace on warm days. Complimentary tea and infusions are available on the second floor.

This small and welcoming hotel on a narrow street has comfortable rooms painted a sunny yellow with views over the village rooftops to the valley below. There's also a cozy bar and dining room with original wood beams and an open fireplace—the restaurant serves local fare including its famed Zuhayra salad with goat's cheese and roast vegetables, and the downstairs bar offers pizzas and tapas; both venues are among the best dining options in the village. During the summer months diners can sit outside on the attractive cobbled patio. There's a small pool, and guests may use the village pool free of charge.