Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Autograph Collection

The hotel grounds were gorgeous, with a peaceful, elegant feel and lots of historic charm. Staff stayed welcoming, helpful, and professional throughout our visit. We were upgraded to Suite 513, a fantastic setup: two spacious bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a comfortable living area between them. It felt both luxurious and practical, and made a memorable base for exploring Granada.

My friend and I stayed here in 2018, and we absolutely loved it, though I can’t say what it’s like after the pandemic. Our room was beautiful, with an old Spanish look. Bars and restaurants were close by, and we enjoyed the walkable area. The Alhambra was about a 25-minute walk, which suited us since we like walking. I can only speak for our stay, but we loved it.

At 9 pm, loud music started up just as I was trying to sleep off jet lag. My room was also next to what seemed like a live band, despite asking at least five times for a quiet room away from noise. Before that, there had been random banging and clicking in the room, maybe from the HVAC. Sleep didn’t look likely anytime soon. The hotel seemed understaffed and short on resources. With occupancy apparently very low, they still failed miserably at a basic request. I wouldn’t return. I also got no upgrade, or even an attempt at one, despite my Marriott status.

My king room was a cramped, outdated box with no windows and no natural light, far below the advertised standard. For the price and supposed five-star rating, it was a major disappointment. I’m Titanium Elite, but nobody offered or even acknowledged an upgrade. I’d avoid this property. There are much better options in the area.