There are all sorts of reasons for a mini break.  Any parent savouring the delicious liberation that teenagers bring when they reach the magical age of fending for themselves will know of at least one.

Where we live is a rural and lovely holiday spot – one for kicking back and relaxing, with some of the cleanest air in Europe surrounding our mountain-top village.

But, sometimes we want more… We love a quick city break – eschewing the rolling mountains and countryside of the Alpujarra and injecting ourselves with a little much-needed carbon monoxide.

Granada makes the grade

Granada is not only on the doorstep – it has everything we ask for.  Architecture, culture, jazz clubs and gin joints.

Choosing a hotel is usually the second thing we do, after checking to see what’s on.  Sometimes we go for one we have previously strolled past and liked the look of.  A Patio Andaluz is usually a deal-breaker.

I’m often asked to recommend places to stay – which is difficult, ‘one man’s meat’ etc.  Here are some we have stayed in this year – and their best bits!  So, here’s what they say, and what we say:

Gar Anat

The Blurb:

This charming boutique hotel in a converted 17th-century pilgrim’s hospital with running balconies surrounding an interior courtyard is a 6-minute walk from Granada Cathedral and 3 km from Alhambra’s medieval complex of palaces.

Quaint rooms with beamed-ceilings feature décor themed around novels and poetry. They all have free Wi-Fi and TVs, plus room service. Some have balconies, Jacuzzi tubs and antique furnishings.

Continental breakfast, served in a stone-walled cellar, has a surcharge. Afternoon Teas are complimentary There’s a stylish lounge with a library of books in English and Spanish, as well as a computer for guest use.

Vincci

The Blurb:

The Vincci Granada offers the visitor a modern hotel, cosy and exquisitely decorated, which upholds the idiosyncrasies of the city. Of course, its hallmark is the personalised treatment and care for details which make any stay here unforgettable.

Avda Constitucion, 18 Granada , Granada , 18012, España | 902 515 555 | +34 93 269 11 26

Our view:  It’s not in the centre, it’s a 10 minute ride away.  But there’s a great secondhand clothes shop next door which sells designer labels and high street brands for a fraction of their cost, so worth a rummage.  The Vincci is actually a little old-fashioned, but the black and white décor and slightly Jeeves-ish staff shouldn’t put you off.  It’s cheap, and more than cheerful, with big rooms and beds, and a choice of pillows.  Bear in mind though, that the rooms start on the 11th floor – so no ground floor rooms available. Not for you if you dislike heights – great if you love Granada views.

View from our room on the the 14th floor of the Vincci

Abades Recogidas

The Blurb:

Decorated with art showcasing Granada’s history, this modern hotel is an 8-minute walk from the Granada Cathedral and 1.9 km from the Alhambra.

The trendy, earth-toned rooms and suites feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Suites add separate sitting areas.

Amenities include a bar/lounge and a rooftop terrace. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet at an additional charge.

Our View: Like the Vincci, we return to this one regularly.  It’s spotless, modern, art-themed, with huge showers on the second floor – small shower over bath affair on the 4th.  Slap bang on Calle Recogidas, opposite Zara so ideally placed for the sales, for nightlife, for discovering Granada.

Hesperia

The Blurb:

The Hesperia Granada hotel is an elegant old building with an unbeatable location, right in the historic heart of Granada. It’s a short walk to the city’s most popular tourist spots, and it’s also very close to the city hall and the business district. Plus, you can walk to the Alhambra Palace in around 20 minutes. 

• Central location in an elegant historic building
• Close to the city hall, the cathedral, and Granada’s best tapas bars
• 20-minute walk to the Alhambra Palace

The hotel is built inside an historic tenement block, so all our 68 guest rooms are unique. They’re spacious, with large bathrooms and sleek hardwood floors. Each one is decorated in a classic Andalusian style, and some of the Junior Suites and Superior rooms overlook the small square at the front of the hotel.

• Rooms decorated in classic Andalusian style
• Fully equipped bathrooms
• Some superior rooms and the junior suite look out across an attractive square

The hotel serves a sumptuous buffet breakfast every morning. We also have 3 beautiful Andalusian-style courtyards, as well as private parking and free Wi-Fi .