Looking for a nice hotel in the hopping center of Granada, Spain, one where you can sit on the roof deck at night and order a drink? The Eurostars Puerta Real is a comfortable choice with a great breakfast spread included.
The Puerta Real of Granada is one of six hotels from Eurostars in this city, so the company has a major presence. One is even named after the New York writer Washington Irving if you’re a literary buff. I was pleasantly surprised by the good value at this one, rated as a four-star property and with plenty of pampering touches in the rooms.
The location is great for strolling around historic Granada and exploring the many tapas bars and pedestrian streets in the city. It’s across from the Fuente de las Batallas fountain and plaza, a lively area with a long history of being a key spot for social gatherings and events. It’s only a few minutes’ walk to the Granada Cathedral, the main riverside park, and the historic Hamam al Andalus where we had an excellent soaking session.
It’s about a 20-minute walk to the city’s most famous site, the Alhambra, less to the overlook point and where many of the flamenco shows are staged. If you want to be right next to the palace instead, check out our review of Parador de Granada in the archives.
Rooms at Eurostars Puerta Real
The 58-room Eurostars Puerto Real faces the plaza, so many of the rooms are filled with light all day. The lobby is at street level and is just steps from a variety of cafes and restaurants. Our check-in was quick and efficient and we were off to the elevator with key card in hand.
Two elevators serve two sides of the hotel, leading to rooms that vary greatly in size. Two of the smaller options are your typical tiny European choices. The single room and “economic double room” are both less than 150 square feet, a sleeping quarters with a desk and bathroom.
The most common type is a double room or a double with terrace (a standing balcony) facing the park. These feel significantly larger thanks to a hallway leading to an ample bathroom. They have parquet floors, a desk, splashes of color, and a smart closet set-up incorporating the minibar and safe. The terrace version is a bit larger, with two modern armchairs. Deluxe Double rooms are a bit larger still and face the park.
The biggest rooms are the premium rooms and junior suites, both containing a sofa, or the family rooms with two bedrooms, two baths, and two TVs. All have complimentary fast internet, cable TV, and nice bath amenities. You’re assured of a good night’s sleep here thanks to comfortable bedding, blackout curtains, individual reading lights, and effective soundproofing that keeps the street noise at a minimum.
Dining and Drinking at Eurostars in Granada
No matter which room you’re in, you’ll start off your day with an excellent breakfast on the bottom level of the hotel, in a cheerful space with Moorish-motif screens reminding you of where you are in Spain. Machines dispense your choice of European coffee styles and there are fresh juices and tea.
The food spread is excellent, with some hot items accompanying an array of fresh bread and pastries, cold cuts and cheese, cereal, yogurt, and fruit. You’ll be all set for a day of sightseeing with a hearty start or a light and healthy beginning.
At the end of the day, rest your tired legs on top of the city at the rooftop Alminar Terrace. You have to time it right with your stay though: it’s only open from Thursday through Sunday, post-siesta time. Hopefully you’ll arrive on a day with sufficient staff on hand too: the single waiter/bartender was in the weeds during our visit with most of the tables and sofas occupied.
The terrace overlooks the plaza and at sunset time, has nice views of the nearby mountains. There are probably 100 other Granada bars and restaurants within walking distance that you can try after that if you want to go exploring.
Parking is available nearby at a reasonable 20 euros a day if you are exploring Andalucia by rental car. (Otherwise, Spain has a terrific train system, one of the best in the world.) There’s a small gym on site and a sauna available by appointment.
Rates start below €100 double in off-peak periods for a regular double and top out at around €250 for the largest rooms on peak weekends, including breakfast for two. There are various promotions available if you book direct with Eurostars. Otherwise, check rates online for Eurostars Puerta Real in Granada at Hotels.com or HotelsCombined.
Review and photos by editor Tim Leffel who was hosted at the property while on a media tour sponsored by the Tourism Committee of Andalucia.
