Shine Albayzín

Even before we arrived in Grenada, we received WhatsApp messages from the amazing staff full of useful information about everything from parking to restaurants. The most important asked: Do you have tickets to the Alhambra yet? It’s our busy season and you must get them immediately. They also very nicely included a link to purchase tickets. When we arrived, with our tickets, we learned that the Alhambra was sold out for the next two months. If we hadn’t received that message, we would not have been able to see the iconic Grenada experience. But honestly, that is just the beginning of everything. The amazing staff here does. I confess, I didn’t love the lobby, which looked very barren and even downscale. But we were lucky enough to have the room on the top floor with a perfect view of the Alhambra, and a bottle of wine waiting for us there. I have read other reviews that complain about the view, but at least from the room we had it was fantastic, especially at night when it was all lit up. Of course there are many things to do in Grenada and this hotel is perfectly located to do just about anything. We were close enough to walk to so many great tapas bars and to explore several neighborhoods. Parking is an issue if you happen to be driving, but once again the staff gives you perfect instructions on where to go to park and you even get a discount because you’re staying at the hotel. It is disappointing that they don’t offer breakfast, but instead have a pretty mediocre café connected to the hotel. The coffee was meh and the pastries were pretty dismal. Even so, I would highly recommend this hotel because service goes a lot farther than coffee.

The hotel is perfectly located for the old town, which is a short walk. As a 3 star hotel it completely delivered. The guy at reception when we arrived was friendly and helpful. We had the basic room with a window to the inside courtyard, that was unusual, but it was a good size with a nice bathroom and good shower. Two bottles of water and a bottle of red wine was supplied, which was a nice tough. We liked the adjacent coffee shop but the hotel offers free coffee and tea if you’d like to make your own. In summary, a good, reasonably priced hotel in a great location.

The building is lovely, location great, easy to walk to many locations in Granada. Room was large, spacious with a bit of an Alhambra view. Staff were friendly and helpful. Only downside was we had terrible weather during our stay and the room was very chilly, as was the courtyard/reception area. Water, soap, shower gel were not replenished during 4 night stay. The cafe which is adjoining the hotel, but different owners does a nice breakfast (expensive compared to other central cafes).

Lovely hotel with great staff (Antonio on reception was very helpful and went above and beyond to make sure our stay was excellent). Good size room with large bathroom and big walk in shower. The building is traditional but has modern facilities throughout. A cafe is attached serving great breakfast and coffee, also with helpful and friendly staff. Location is perfect, a very short walk to Alhambra, central town and viewpoints.

This hotel is okay, not great, and I probably wouldn't stay here again. We got a spacious suite with a view of the Alhambra, and it was large and quite comfortable. It's true it had a view of the Alhambra, but it was not a clear view - more one where you had to crane your head at the right angle to see the Alhambra -- so that was disappointing. I wouldn't book a room with an Alhambra view here just for the view. On the positive side: the bed was incredibly comfortable, the sheets were crisp, and it was nice to have all that space. The location also is very good. And it's true that an effort was made the furnish the room with charm. The not so good: on closer inspection the furniture was dinged and worn. Little things don't work. For example, the ceiling fan would not work unless you stood on the bed and held the remote super close to the ceiling fan and pushed the power button several times (when we complained that the ceiling fan didn't work, these were actually the instructions the front desk gave us: stand on the bed, point the remote directly at the fan, and just keep trying, it will work eventually!) . A light was burnt out. And upon arrival, housekeeping had not cleared out the previous guests' food in the refrigerator, which was pretty tiny anyway. Also I never felt the room was truly clean (except for the bed, which was great). There was nothing terrible about this -- just enough little things that weren't prepared or thought through. This is definitely 3-star, and that was fine with us. But understand that this is a place with lower quality furnishings and lower-quality amenities in the bath. And though we don't care about this either, it's definitely not a full-service place: no 24 hour reception or restaurant or bar. For what it was, it was fine. But I'd try somewhere else next time.

It has 3 stars, but don't be fooled: Shine Albayzin deserves another! The location simply could not be better, with everything within walking distance (including Alhambra if you were feeling particulalry energetic- taxi is easier!). We had a superior room looking out at Alhambra (magnificent) and, whilst overlooking a busy, narrow street, was- surprisingly- not at all noisy. A large comfortable room. A cafe is attached to reception area (but is not part of the hotel), where you could get very good breakfast or coffee. Friendly, helpful hotel staff (especially Antonio who was an absolute mine of information). The reception is not open 24 hours (hence cannot be 4 star I understand) but since it only has 12 rooms it is understandable. This is a converted old house (17th century perhaps?) and "lounge" area is limited (and cool in winter!) but we spent most of our time out walking this marvellous, must-see city or cosy in the room. Unhesitantingly recommend it. Definitely four star.