Hotel Hospes Palacio de los Patos
Granada
On your approach to the Hospes Palacio de los Patos it soon becomes clear that this is going to be a wonderful holiday! The hotel’s amazing facade exudes the grandeur of the 19th century when it was a well-known city palace. The building is still cherished today by the inhabitants of Granada.
You pass through a beautiful entrance hall, built on a grand scale. One is immediately struck by the careful interplay of styles. The entirety has been transformed into an unrivalled luxurious design hotel set off by details from times gone by. Only the best materials have been used and the interior design makes much use of light. The atmosphere is one of serene peace. On your arrival the staff is exceptionally welcoming and helpful, an attitude that makes you feel warm and well looked after during your entire stay. You won’t want for anything here.
The hotel’s location is ideal, in the heart of the city and everything within walking distance including the Alhambra.
The hotel has 42 rooms divided between superior double rooms, junior suites, suites, a Grand Suite and of course the Presidential Suite.
The rooms are distributed over 2 buildings; 20 in the elegant 19th century palace, 22 in the new wing, the Alabastro, bordering on the other side of the courtyard. The building, largely in its original state, with the sober design complex next to it, reflects an exciting, daring and impressive combination of styles. It displays a wonderful mix of a stately , impressive past and modern rejuvenating opportunities.
The rooms can only be admired. As can the top Senzone restaurant where traditional Andalusian dishes are carefully prepared according to modern methods. Tired from the long city walk or visit to the Alhambra (or a hard day’s skiing), go straight through to the Bodyna spa for a massage treatment, the indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna or Turkish baths to get yourself into tip top condition for dinner.
Hospes Palacio de los Patos. A tip for anyone wishing to return home after a few days feeling completely reborn!
Cons:
• We searched every nook and cranny but found none
Pros:
• The daring combination of history and modern design is mind-blowing
• Extremely pleasant staff, not over done
• Top class restaurant
• Location with respect to city centre
• Parking garage
Hotel Hospes Palacio de los Patos
facilities
Hotel
- There is a restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner. Price for lunch or dinner approx. € 45,-- pp.
- Lounge bar.
- Indoor swimming pool (at the Spa).
- Relaxing in the hotels´s Bodyna Spa, including beauty treatments and massages.
- Library.
- Internet connection (ADSL) in every room (free).
- Children are welcome.
- No rooms with wheelchair access.
- Lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- The hotel offers a range of different excursions/activities.
- Hotel has its own parking facilities (€ 20,-- per day).
- Hotel is located in the centre of Granada, within 5 minutes walking distance of the Albaicín area..
Rooms
Every room has air conditioning, heating, LCD-TV, Telephone, internet connection, mini-bar and safe.
Fully equipped bathrooms including bathrobes, slippers and hairdryer.
Hotel has 42 rooms including 22 double rooms, 11 superior double rooms, 5 junior suites, 3 suites, 1 Gran suite en 1 Presidential Suite.
Hotel Hospes Palacio de los Patos
surrounding area
Granada
Anyone visiting Granada will have heard of the Alhambra, the city’s main attraction. The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features. A miniature town in its own right, a world of palaces, beautiful gardens with ponds and fountains, a fortress, baths, museums, a church, and even a hotel.
The Generalife, to the north of the Alhambra, was the Nasrid sultans' country retreat. They would find some welcome relief from the intrigue at the court here, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Generalife translates as ‘the garden of heavenly paradise’.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll around its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!
When you get tired of strolling, you can take an Arab bath at one of Granada's 2 hammans, the Aljibe Baños Arabes or the Hamman Baños Arabes.
And Granada also happens to be one of the hippest cities in Andalucía, with great nightlife, lively flamenco shows and tapas culture.
Granada is also a good place to learn Spanish or take dancing lessons.
Active
At about 40 km from the city of Granada you will find the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The Sierra Nevada mountain range has the highest peaks in Europe, after the Alps. In Pradollano, at 2100 metres, there is the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, with around 70 pistes (mainly blue and red ones), with a total length of 80 km.
During the summer months you can go for walks here.
Cultural
Granada is a cultural city, with plenty on offer! Be sure to catch the Alhambra and the Generalife (it is recommended to reserve tickets well before you head for Granada, because the number of visitors admitted every day is limited to a maximum).
Anyone with an interest in Spanish literature will have heard of Federico García Lorca. This world famous poet and playwright is closely intertwined with Granada. His birthplace in Fuente Vaqueros, about 20km west of Granada, is open to the public. And there is also the Lorca Museum, the Huerta de San Vicente, an estate on the edge of Granada.
And to top it all off, Granada also makes for a great destination for shopping, and to take in a few flamenco shows.
Family
The Parque de las Ciencias is a great place to introduce children to science. You will find it 2 km south of Granada. There are numerous activities on offer here. Including experiments that let you experience, for example, what it is like to be inside a beehive or a mini-tornado.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Guadix (55km; 50min):
The ‘Barrio de las Cuevas’ (cave-dwellers quarter), with 2000 caves, which have been inhabited for centuries, is the main attraction of this town. A museum has been established in one of the cave dwellings near the church, in order to give you a good idea of what life in such a house is like.
Alhama de Granada (60km; 1h):
Alhama de Granada is beautifully situated, balancing on sprawling rocks over a gorge, and it has a compact, nicely renovated Moorish centre. The village received its name, derived from the word alhamma, from the hot springs that you can still visit at the Hotel Balneario on the edge of the village.
In the higher part of the village, behind the Iglesia del Carmen church, a plateau offers stunning views of the deep gorge of the Alhama river.
And you can, of course, head for one of the other 2 world famous cities for a day trip:
Córdoba (240km; 2h45min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Seville (250km; 3h):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.