My friend and I travelled to Granada after going first to Madrid, then Barcelona. We flew into the Granada airport, paid 2 or 3 euro for the bus trip into town, and paid another 5 euro (minus tip) for a taxi to the hotel. We were there way too early to check in, but the front desk staff were incredibly nice and helped us into a room within minutes. They also spoke perfect English (a nice touch in a foreign country, even when you know a little bit of the language) and showed us on a map where to shop, eat, find taxis, see flamenco, etc. She also explained to us that there was a group of college kids staying in the hotel, and that if they caused us any problems, to speak with her directly and she would handle it. She kept her promise when, later, the kids got a little rowdy and started running up and down the halls. She came up and spoke to them, apparantly, and we didn't hear another peep. She must have scared the daylights out of those kids, because it was truly instantaneous and the silence kept throughout our stay.
The pool was a wonderful break from the hot Granada sun, especially after marching around the nearby Alhambra (cheap taxi, cheaper bus - there and back from the hotel). The pool area seemed to have a bee infestation, but they pretty much kept to themselves - just watch where your feet are stepping.
The room was nice enough, nothing special. The beds weren't very comfortable, but the room was so reasonably priced and the service was so friendly that I can't really complain. The bathroom was huge and everything worked properly. It wasn't in the best shape, but again - I can't complain. We didn't choose an 80-euro-a-night hotel expecting it to be the Ritz, and it was still just fine.
Nearby is an El Corte Ingles - a huge supermarket - where we got some groceries and kept them in our room's minifridge, a great way to save some money. Also, just down the street (literally, 2 blocks or so) is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served very stong, tasty, cheap sangria and some of the best Calamari I've ever eaten. Good tapas aren't hard to find in Granada, but this place was spectacular.
All in all, I loved my time in Granada, and could not have asked for a better hotel to serve as our home-base, especially not at that price.
- Luna Arabial Hotel
- Luna Arabial Granada
