Having read the reviews and seen the prices, we were expecting something very special. Perhaps our expectations were too high, as we could not avoid a feeling of disappointment. Do not get me wrong, the Parador is a very nice hotel, with character and in a pleasent and peaceful setting in the Alhambra grounds. However, for 245 euros (plus 7% tax) per night for room only, we were expecting a special something that was unfortunately lacking. The price reflects the fact that this is the place to stay in Granada, and that is what you are paying for, not any real sense of luxury or grandeur. The hotel is clean and the rooms are a good size. The furnishings in the room and bathroom are in keeping with the building, but fairly ordinary in quality, and the rooms overall have a fairly simple, but pleasent, feel. Our bathroom did have a slightly tired feel and the cleaners could have done a better job in the corners (our 70 euro per night room at the Macia Plaza in Plaza Neuva in the centre of Granada had a better, albeit smaller, bathroom). Some rooms on the top floor have views across the Generalife Gardens (they are 208 to 217 per our guide book), but we had room 207, which looked out on to one of the ponds. The grounds of the hotel (as opposed to the Alhambra grounds outside of the hotel gate) are nice, but could do with a bit more maintaining in some areas. One downside is that there is no outside area where you can stretch out with a book - only the tables on the bar terrace or the odd wooden seat amongst the hedges. The bar terrace is open to the public and can become a little busy with visitors during the day. However, one really good point was dinner on the terrace. As night falls the tree-lined terrace takes on a superb atmosphere, with gentle lighting, the sound the spanish guitarist and a great view across to the illuminated buildings of the Generalife. The food was good too, and for 27 euros per head for 3 courses (with a bottle of wine starting at about 10 euros), this was good value and definitely gave us a bit of that ´special´feeling we were after. If you do not stay at the Parador, I would definitely recommend coming up for dinner, as this will give you the best of what the Parador has to offer, without incurring the cost of a room. The breakfast (13 euros plus 7% tax) was also very good.

Several rooms are above the restaurant and kitchen . Ofcourse this is not disclosed before check - in . Other's are even less attractive according to the reception ! Restaurant is very understaffed and you may have to wait a very long time for attention.

The place is magical . It could be really top class if it had more staff.

As it is , the setting and surroundings are so stunning that these may make you forgive and perhaps even forget the above mentioned two problem areas.

Everything about this parador is first class. The grounds are immaculate and the rooms are clean, quiet, and comfortable. We did the Alhambra tour arranged through the hotel, and it was worth every cent, especially since you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn and stand in line for tickets. The restaurant patio is gorgeous with views of the Sultan's summer palace. The courtyard inside the hotel is a great place to have a drink, read, or write some postcards. One tip: park in the gated lot (off to the right after you enter the hotel grounds). We did not, and we had a hubcap stolen one night.

The Parador in Granada is very beautiful, immaculate, and convenient for Alhambra sightseeing. Unfortunately our ground-floor room, which looked out onto a rose garden and a long rectangular pond, smelled badly of sewage. This may have been a result of the very hot weather or some problem specific to that room, but it was awful. The front desk had a variety of responses - some denied it, one man said it was the wind (??). For what it's worth, we also spent time in Cordoba, Seville, Sitges, Madrid, and Barcelona - all very hot - all with no odor problem. My feeling is that the age of the building, and plumbing, is the source of the problem. It's a magnificent building and location, but unfortunately it was a very unpleasant stay.
On a happier note, the outdoor restaurant at the parador is terrific and it smells great!