Parador de Granada

"This is magnificent hotel set within the Alhambra complex. Previously it has been a mosque and a convent and is full of history. Despite the history it succeeds in offering every comfort and modern convenience. On arrival the reception staff could not have been more friendly or welcoming. Bags were carried to our room. The room was well appointed and very comfortable. The bed was superb and we both slept well. Breakfast is a copious buffet featuring some local delicacies such as Piononos, a delicious pastry worth trying. The restaurant is excellent serving well cooked and beautifully presented food. I had the best piece of roast suckling pig that I have ever eaten. There is also a bar and less formal dining on a pretty patio. Highly recommended."

"While the room and hotel are clean, it’s not what I would call inviting. Customer service was disappointing. We experienced some issues with our room and when they were brought to the attention of the front desk staff, we felt not only unheard, but that were “that couple.” We were without Internet for the three days and nights of our stay. It was only our room. Go into the hallway and walk two or three steps in either direction and Internet worked fine. When we spoke with the front desk, they implied we didn’t know how to access the WiFi. Once they realized we did, in fact, know how to connect we were told three different reasons, on three different occasions. We realize this is a first-world problem, but we ended up flying through our data, which in turn, required us to buy data so that we would be safe for the rest of our travels. Second, one evening our thermostat stopped working in the middle of the night. The next morning we notified the front desk and were assured it would be fixed when we returned later that day. It was not. A gentleman from the front desk came into the room, took off the box on the thermostat, jiggled some wires, put the cover back on and it started working. When I asked what the problem was, he shrugged his shoulders and left. That night it stopped working again. The hotel is located at the entrance to the Generalife Gardens, which is cool, but just know that you are a 15 min walk to town and there are few amenities in the area. The hotel’s restaurant doesn’t open until 8:30 pm. The Cafe/restaurant is available earlier….as long as it doesn’t rain (which it did one evening), and you must sit outside regardless of the weather. Breakfast is served in 30 min time slots and does not begin until 8 am. We were able to secure a picnic lunch….for which we were charged….on a day where our tour began at 8 am. The workers at each of the restaurants were less than enthusiastic, and more often plain rude. The Alhambra is an amazing place to visit, but if I were you and you want decent customer service and a variety of activities outside the Alhambra….stay in the city."

"Thr staff in the cafe left me speechless. I can honestly say I have never experienced such uninterested waiting staff in my life. We waited to be seated, waited to be serviced and wired for our check. The food was flung onto the table as if they resented having to do it. The only saving grace for the venue is the quality of the food. The kitchen staff have to be commended. The food was really nice and arrived quickly. It’s such a pity that the waiting staff let them down."