Hotel Saray ★★★★

It seems that almost every famous person throughout history has had something to say about the beautiful city of Granada, from Ernest Hemingway to Victor Hugo, Hans Christian Andersen, William Shakespeare and of course, the city’s much-loved poet – Federico García Lorca.

The Hotel Saray **** sits in one of Granada’s more modern districts, but still sits a mere 15-minute walk from the city’s main square and impressive cathedral.

You wouldn’t think it from looking at the hotel’s modern exterior, but the Saray perfectly blends contemporary style with an ancient Arabic twist. The large lobby is clean and bright with granite coloured marble floors, upper walls covered in intricate Arabic stonework and an ornately carved reception desk.

In the hotel’s back garden, the Moorish theme continues with trickling fountains, stone mosaics and graceful terracotta pots. There’s also an outdoor pool, a peaceful gazebo seating areas and astounding views over the city from the terrace.

The bedrooms are a completely different story - here you’ll find nothing but contemporary splendour: polished wood floors, sleek desks, leather seating areas, soft furnishings and all the latest technology including flat screen TVs, wireless keyboards, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a minibar and soft background music.

It’s unlikely that you’ll be hungry for a late afternoon snack in Granada as almost every single bar and café in the city will ply you with free plates of tapas with your drink, but if you get peckish, the hotel has it covered with its slick and stylish café. Decked out in Arabic carvings and pretty Moroccan lamps, it’s a great place to grab a coffee and a bite to eat.

Seeing the Alhambra is an absolute must; so make sure you book in advance as tickets sell out quickly, especially in summer. Spend a lazy afternoon being mesmerized by the lavish patterns on its walls, sitting in amongst orange groves and getting lost in the beauty of the Generalife gardens.

As night falls and Granada’s ancient streets begin to cool, – step downstairs to the Qübba Bar, filled with silver columns, mirrored ceilings and stylish light bulbs. Then move on to the wonderful s Restaurant Generalife, where the dining room is covered in traditional Andalusian tiles and romantic paintings of the Alhambra, and Chef José Miguel Magín whips up original fusion dishes from the old Nazarí and Morzabe recipes, as well as traditional Granadino classics.

The buffet breakfast too goes above and beyond; they have everything from sweet buns and pastries to local cured meats and cheeses, fresh fruit and yoghurts, as well as English breakfast staples such as bacon, eggs and sausages.

On your last evening, take a stroll down the captivating Carrera del Darro – a small cobbled street that runs alongside the River Darro. This romantic walk is punctuated by elegant churches, cute bridges and enticing tapas bars, and at the end you’ll come to the dramatic Paseo de los Tristes, where a steep gorge will lead your eyes up to the magical Alhambra. Sitting here amongst fountains and tapas bars with such an awe-inspiring view, how could you not promise yourself you’ll return to this unique city time and time again?