We stayed at the Palacio de Santa Paula for 1 night in July & wished we had spend several more nights in Granada. Interesting design (check out the wonderful court yard) in a great location within easy walking distance of the bars, restaurants, and shops. We had one of the outer rooms over looking the main street but had no problems with noise. There is a very nice restaurant in the hotel (we did not try but it was busy). The staff was very helpful.

I recommend going up to Plaza San Nicholas for dinner one evening. Have the hotel book you in to one of the restaurants. Take a cab up and walk back through the old city.

I highly recommend visiting Granada and staying at least 2 nights - it was over favorite city next to Barcelona.

We stayed at the Santa Paula for 7 nights in April for our honeymoon. We wanted somewhere with the wow factor and toyed between the Santa Paula and one of the hotels around the Alhambra. We're really glad we plumped for the Santa Paula as it's location couldn't be better..just a couple of minutes walk from the Cathedral & within easy striking distance of the bars, restaurants, shops, Albaicin & Alhambra. Because of our location, the only bus we ever felt like getting was the open topped one! We arrived at the hotel a little worse for wear (being the day after our wedding!) but were made extreamly welcome. Friends of ours had even ordered champagne and flowers for our room which were beautiful. We were also upgraded from a "Superior" courtyard room, to a courtyard room with a roof terrace & balcony. Simply amazing! This, and the free mini bar supplying us with cold beers really set this hotel apart for us.
The hotel was in a really peaceful location, and was really quiet most of the time. The rooms overlooking the Gran Via probably aren't as quiet, so it is worth paying a little extra for the courtyard rooms. We had a meal in the restaurant (delicious!) and used the sauna in the basement (we had it completely to ourselves). We found all the staff friendly, particularly as we were staying such a long time (I think many visitors are on short city breaks) and they helped us organise tours and train trips out of the City. We also got chocolates and a weather forceacst from the maid every evening!!!
Overall, truly superb

LOCATION: Had some difficulty getting to the hotel; however once you get there, they do have a place where you can pull in your car and unload your bags so you don’t have to stop on the busy street. It is also close to many down town areas as well as the Alcathazar.

SERVICE: Somewhat lacking. They are in sore need of a formal concierge as the front desk did not give good/many recommendations. Otherwise they hotel personnel were very helpful in dealing with issues internal to the hotel.

ROOM: I stayed in the new part of the hotel and thought it was wonderful, contrary to other previous reviews. They were very modern, clean, and quiet. The beds were very comfortable and large. I also didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not staying in the old part of the hotel.

INTERNET: The hotel offers wireless internet for charge however I was able to connect through a wireless connection that was close by and did not have a charge.

FOOD: The food served in the hotel was okay. My family and I were staying over Christmas and they had the same limited (and not very good) menu for all meals during Christmas and Christmas Eve (no other restaurants were open during the holidays). However I do understand that it was the holidays and that I shouldn’t have high expectations.

SAFTEY: I felt very safe at AC Palacio de Santa Paula. There was always someone at the front desk and the doors lock at night time and you need to use your key to get into the building.

OVERALL: I would recommend AC Palacio to anyone looking to stay in Granada. I had a wonderful stay and would stay here again.

I completely agree with the review entitled "Not as good as it sounds" from February '06. My wife and I stayed here in November 2006; we thought we were staying at a monastery but instead ended up in the new part of the hotel which is a below-average modern hotel, and not worth the $$$. In the new hotel, you are quite separated from the (beautiful) monastery section, and feel like you are in an entirely separate place.

The staff was woefully understaffed and not friendly at all; gave poor recommendations and was snide and off-putting when we asked about changing rooms to the older section (we were told we would have to pay much more; of course they did not mention that we were in the new section when we booked the room through the hotel itself).

The location is fairly poor; for the same money there are plenty of beautiful, authentic Granada places to stay.