I stayed at Hotel Niza the first night I moved to Spain from Australia, September 2008 on a Sunday. I arrived late and my suitcase did not make the connecting flight in Madrid. The receptionist was most solicitous, kindly and soon had me in stitches with his comical stories dispelling the gloom of the missing luggage. The following day, hotel personnel were extremely helpful in tracing and receiving the case when it finally arrived in Granada. I spent only the one night at Hotel Niza then because I needed to collect keys to a pre-booked apartment on the Monday. I returned to spend a couple of nights not long after because I needed the city centre convenience for a special occasion when I knew I would be arriving in the wee hours of the morning.

The Hotel Niza had been recommended by the estate agent from whom I was to collect the keys and I have been grateful for that recommendation ever since. The Hotel affords all the no-frills essentials one needs to lay one’s head for the night: cleanliness, en suite bathroom, comfortable bed, a quiet, peaceful sleep with windows open (fresh air in the appropriate season but heating when cold) in spite of its location amidst tapas bars, at a price remarkably reasonable for the city centre and in keeping with its one star rating. I have, before and after (always consulting Trip Advisor), paid more for accommodation in Spanish towns and villages dotted around Andalucia and without the friendliness, cosmopolitan characteristics of hotel personnel and comfort of the Hotel Niza.