When we entered the vicinity of Granada we hadn’t bargained on how commercialised, urban and ugly the outskirts are. We had a (wrong and under researched) idea of somewhere far lovelier. The difficulty was that on arrival at the hotel – which is on the edge of the new and old town – the impression hadn’t lifted so initial feelings were pretty mixed.

The frontage isn’t 5 star . It does have some parking bays sealed off for guests so valet parking is recommended if you are driving. Odd gates you have to buzz into and a strange fake swan pond at the front don’t make the hotel the most welcoming we have encountered. On entering it is a strange mix of old and new which somehow doesn’t quite work.

We had booked a junior suite in the old palace but on early arrival were offered an upgrade to a full suite – i.e. completely separate living room and bedroom. Having been on a cruise for 10 days this was appreciated. It is however a relatively characterless space in the basement with very modern fixtures so no sense of being somewhere historic.

Once we ventured out however we found that we were indeed on the edge of the better looking (much) part of the city and settled down to enjoy our two day stay very much.

From then on in the hotel redeemed itself entirely. All staff were charming. The room service service (!) was simply brilliant – super fast, super friendly and exactly what we needed after cruise ship food. The breakfast was one of the best European offerings we have ever encountered with delicious fresh pastries, breads and a generous array of fruits, meats, cheeses etc. brilliantly presented.

So the message is that first impressions are not universally correct.

We stayed for two nights in late Sept. Generally helpful staff. However, the rooms in the new wing are a bad design, cheaply executed. An attempt to be ultra modern that failed.
Overly complex lighting that will take you days to figure out. A bathroom where water splashes out of the sink, routinely. The door to the toilet is misaligned with the closet door (both frosted glass). You have to leave one open. Too much outside light. Oversize room key is cute but impractical. Had to always leave it at the desk. No tissues in the room - unbelievable, No quilt's, just thin sheets and thin blankets (that had to be requested). Very cheap.

We stayed 8 nights at the Palacio de los Patos (Deluxe Room, main building). The room was located on the ground floor, which is a bit odd, but bearable for a very spacious en suite room. Marble bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. The decoration style is boutique/modern, and it is worth saying that the room was exactly as expected from the hotel website. Temperature control and air conditioning were fully functional which is essential in Granada at that time of the year. The hotel has wireless throughout including in its garden which is a nice alternative location to relax in the shade during the hottest hours of the day (cocktails served there during the evening). Breakfast, also served in the garden, was excellent. The hotel is missing and outdoor pool, since the spa is located in the hotel's basement. Service was friendly and excellent throughout the stay.
The only real issue, noted by other reviews, is that the rooms can be noisy in the evening or at night, and that includes both traffic and the occasional revellers from nearby streets.

The staff were great and could find no fault with them at all, the hotel is in a prime position and a short walk to the city centre, the deluxe room had a strange layout with frosted glass partitions separating the wet room/toilet and bedroom. The only liquid refreshment in the room was the minibar (charged) or the tap, this was a double room so why only one chair? now onto the restaurant, good food on the three nights we were there but the same menu every night, three fish dishes and three meat dishes (mains) in a five star, breakfast was good and presented well. Car parking is under the hotel with a lift into the hotel, but you have to pay 23 euros a night as a guest, the noise through the night from the streets outside is loud and this is in a double glazed room and when I say through the night it means till the sun comes up, if we ever go back to Granada it would be to another hotel. Bob and Audrey Kerr