WE chose the Parador to celebrate a special anniversary, and booked a year ahead! I heard it was always fully booked, and I was determined!!

Booked through Parador website, which was easy enough. Now for Hotel....

Wasn't sure if there was parking (there is) but found our way there, and was pleasantly surprised. I'd read many reviews, all saying 'not worth it' etc. But I also understood it recently underwent a refit, so took a chance.

It certainly isn't cheap!! However, the room was lovely. We had a Superior room, with king sized (6') bed, and wonderful views. I sneaked a peek into other rooms and they were lovely too. Not such lovely views, but the stairs and upper cloister area, looking down was fab.

Our room was modern and more Boutique Hotel style, with stylish decor. Bathroom had very modern fixtures, and jacuzzi bath. All toiletries were good quality and rather nice, too.

Meals (not included) were good - breakfast, buffet style, to cater for everyone. I must confess, I've never had a merengue for breakfast anywhere, but Hey!! When you're my age, you can get away with doing weird stuff on holiday!! Evening meals were accompanied by a Spanish guitarist.

All in all, I could've paid less, but this was special. I could recommend it, as we had a lovely stay. The hotel was quiet, and classy in a beautiful place. You expect to pay for that - and after a day wandering around the Alhambra, it was certainly lovely to just wander up the hill into the Parador and not have to walk miles and cope with the tourist crush. That alone, makes you feel very special

this hotel was a huge disappointment. The location is second to none and I think they are trading on that. The staff at the front desk were efficient enough, but most of the staff looked miserable. The staff in the restaurant were trying but had no leadership from the maitre d' and for whom they clearly had no respect. The food was good and expensive but the ambiance was more like a luxury cafeteria. There was nobody to serve drinks in the bar before dinner. A double bed was only available with an upgrade to a suite. I would recommend people to stay just outside the palace grounds in the Alhambra Palace Hotel where lunch was served by charming waiters.

Having just stayed in Cordoba in one of the Hospes chain hotels, and been delighted with the phenomenal level of service, fit out, catering and attention to detail, for approx €250 a night, paying over €300 a night here had to be something very special...and aside from location it was not . The room was disappointing, with the techonology unnecessary and overengineered. The bathroom was over fitted and simply impractical . The breakfast and dinner were nothing more than average (but extremely expensive) , and as for service, it seems that though the hotel has been overhauled and brought up to date, the staff have not ! A very disappointing visit which over 2 days cost nearly €1000.

You won't get many chances to spend the night within the walls of the Alhambra. The Parador de Granda is a lovely old bed and breakfast. type of accomodation but that description does not do it justice. To stay there is to stay in a piece of history. Dinner is included and will be a local dish and quite good. Make your reservation a full year in advance, as it is very diffiult to get in.