We adored this hotel and think it is one of the best we have ever stayed, for sheer professionalism and comfort. The staff were really helpful and on the ball (I can't understand the person who found the service slow). We booked ourselves, by email, and found the reservations staff efficient and helpful. The hotel copes easily with large numbers of visitors (who are by no means all Americans--Spanish, French, Italians, Australians, English are all in the mix). The valet parking service was superb. Free newspapers every day (including English-language ones). We had a junior suite--*huge* rooms with a view of Granada and and (to the left) the Sierra Nevada). The hotel was built in the 1920s, and its decor hold up surprisingly well (it has its own kind of period charm--think of Harrods)--only the (small) outdoor terrace could do with a facelifft on some of its tiles. It is not the hotel's fault that (a) the real Alhambra palace has cornered the view overlooking old Granada (the Albaicin) and (b) modern Granada has epxanded apace and is not the loveliest of sights. Notwithstanding, the covered terrace which is part of the dining room was a lovely romantic place to eat every night, watching the swallows circle and the lights coming out in the plain. The menu was very extensive and in five nights we sampled many items, all of them excellent. My husband became addicted to the Vichyssoise; fish and meat were both superb. From what we saw of Granada town, its attractions were not many and we were very happy to be up on the hill. We'd go again tomorrow and wouldn't even bother with a visit to the Alhambra itself!

Don't get me wrong, it was VERY nice and we had a huge terrace to ourselves. But for an extra $100 night we didn't get much more than we already had at the Plaza Neuva - which was a more convienient location. They turn the bed down for you at night at the Alhambra Palace and you get a free hot breakfast, but other than that, it's an average above average hotel that caters to wealthy Americans.

I can summarize entire experience in two words “Great hotel”. It is pricy, but truly excellent. It is located steps away from Alhambra, in a nice park like area of the city.
There are plenty of eateries in the neighborhood. Taxi to central part of the town runs for about 5 EUR. Staff is very pleasant and English speaking. Rooms are nice and clean with sizable bathrooms. Ask for a room with a view. It is very romantic, especially at nighttime. Overall hotel has some feeling of Moorish castle. It was a memorable experience.

Ask for a second floor room with a balcony. Some reviews I've read complained about the smell of the fountains, but we didn't experience this, maybe because we were there in April and had a second floor room with a balcony. The lobby needs a little updating, but the staff were extremely friendly, the outdoor terrace overlooking the valley was peaceful and tranquil, and being within the walls of the Alhambra was both convienient for touring the site and magical. The mini bus takes you to town which is only several minutes away but a world apart and with the town being a litle funky with drop outs and hippies (yes hippies) it was nice to go back to the palace in the evening. The dining room was very good, and it would be perfect if they would just dim the lights a little during the meal to create a more intimate atmosphere. We had dinner for two including a reserve bottle of wine for the cost of a good bottle of wine in most restaurants in France. Some of the salads were wierd but the Paradores offer a fixed dinner option for 28 euros a piece which includes an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert. A very reasonable cost. The breakfast was little pricey, but it was a rather extensive buffet. I recommend this Paradore to compliment your Alhambra experience. This was the most expensive hotel of our trip, and i'm glad we stayed there.