Hello everyone, I have spent about 4 hours so far trawling through sites re hostals in Granada. Unfortunately a lot have no rooms for the night we arrive, Sat 13th October. There are two I quite like the look of, though haven't contacted them yet. I was wondering if anyone had stayed there fairly recently, as reviews I have found are more than a year old. They are Hostal Britz and Hostal Lisboa. Hostal Austria was also a possibility. We are two 50 year olds travelling from New Zealand to Europe for the first time. Any other suggestions welcomed though it seems the most popular ones may be already booked out.
Thanks
rawhiti
1
anonymous
rawhiti, have no fear.
You were asking for availability for hostels (called "hostales" in Spain/Spanish) 7 months in advance. It's a rather common practice for hostels (not to be confused with YOUTH hostels - which are called "albergues juveniles" in Spain/Spanish) to tell you they have no rooms when in near reality they simply don't take reservations that far in advance. Try the same hostels 2 or 3 months in advance of your arrival and I'd bet those same hostels you'd tried will magically have rooms available.
I'd stayed at the Hostal Austria last November and found it fine, very well-located up from the Plaza Nueva, clean, affordable. As you might know, it's only a stone's throw from the aforementioned Hostal Britz. I'd also stayed at the Hostal Costa Azul on the pedestrian street of (extension to) Calle Navas, very near the Plaza Bib-Rambla. I REALLY liked that hostel and may stay there again, or at when I go back this spring. I may also stay at the Hostal Penélope - also located on Calle Navas. I toured this place and was impressed with most of the rooms I'd seen.
By the way, I've probably toured nearly all of Granada's hostels so if you have specific questions about them just ask. I did not tour Hostal Lisboa or Britz, though, and not sure how I missed such obvious ones.
Saludos, GranadaMan/MadridMan
2
rawhiti
Thanks Granada Man, I was told by a travel agent here in New Zealand that I'd better book quickly or I would miss out on getting a room, seems this may have been an exaggeration. Thanks for the info about hostals. Regards, Rawhiti
3
anonymous
Maybe your travel agent was talking about hotels and not hostels (??).
There are still many hostels in Spain which take reservations in a reservation BOOKLET, on paper with pencil. All hotels, on the other hand, do this on the computer. Unless there is some big football match or exposition/fair going on at time I wouldn't worry too much at this point. Best of luck!
I just checked the website for Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Granada (English version available) and there is one on October 15-17 ("Hydro 2007"). POSSIBLY, this is the source of the conflict as the expo starts on a Monday and people might arrive early on the Saturday before. But these people most often stay in HOTELS at or near the Expo Center and not in HOSTELS.
Saludos, GranadaMan/MadridMan
4
lady_j
Hi MadridManCom - great advice here and I thought I'd just add to the thread.
I am looking for an inexpensive hotel/hostal/pension for two friends of mine who are going to Granada in May. They would like something in Sacromonte or the Albaicin, if possible. I stayed at the Rambutan 5 years ago and loved it, but I was younger then and it may well have changed anyway... so I don't know if they would like it or not.
The friends are 2 women about 30 years old (they are not a couple). They have never been to Spain but would like something familial, inexpensive (maybe up to 70euro total per night, double room w/ bath), with great ambience and location. I have told them so many loving stories of Sacromonte and the Albaicin that they think they'd prefer staying there to right in el centro.
Any ideas? Gracias!
5
anonymous
Hi Lady_J!
Question: After telling your 2 friends so many loving stories about Sacromonte and the Albaicin/Albayzin they thought they'd prefer staying in the old downtown - and NOT in the Sacromonte or Albaicin/Albayzin? As you mentioned, the Rambutan Guesthouse in Sacromonte might be a bit MUCH for two 30-year olds and plus it's a bit of a distance to the Old Downtown except by bus.
There's a 2-Star Hotel right on Granada's Plaza Bib-Rambla (a favorite area of mine) called Hotel Los Tilos. There, a double room costs 70 Euros per night. The website's photos make it look nice enough but I haven't read a single review about it either. I think they may find this area of Old Granada just a bit less touristy and a bit classier than, say, around the Plaza Nueva.
The Hostal Costa Azul, which I mention above, might be another good option. It's also pretty near the Plaza Bib-Rambla and in a lower-concentration-area of tourists than around the Plaza Nueva.
Saludos, MadridMan/GranadaMan
6
lady_j
Muchas gracias Madridman! I guess my last line wasn't very clear... Based on my travel tales my friends thought they WOULD prefer to stay at a hotel right in Sacromonte or the Albaicin, rather than staying right downtown or in a more touristed area.
Thanks for the suggestions - I am looking at your links and will pass them on. I am not very familiar with the Bib-Rambla area but it sounds lovely.
Chaito!
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