Not all 5-star hotel experiences are the same. I was reminded of this when my friend and I arrived at Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula in Granada. We landed in Granada via the high-speed Renfe train. We had walked 15 minutes from the station to the luxury hotel. She was lugging a small rolling suitcase while I sported a carry-on-sized backpack. We had advance reservations. However, our reception by the front desk hotel staff was neither warm nor welcoming.
I read another Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula review from The Points Guy. Her experience was similar to ours. While the luxury Autograph Collection Granada hotel was in a fabulous location on the Gran Via, we did not receive a 5-star experience.
Transformed into a hotel in 2001, this Marriott Bonvoy property once served as the former 14th-century Casa Morisca and 16th-century Santa Paula Convent. The former monastery, now a historic monument, joined together 3 buildings, blending old with new. Renovated in 2023, the 72-room Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula was impressive with its Moroccan influence.
From deluxe king, queen, and twin rooms, to premium rooms, junior suites, and The Bishop’s suite, there was a bed for every price point. Rooms included cotton robes, a mini fridge, a coffee maker, and a tea kettle. There was an honor bar, and complimentary plastic water bottles were available in the room. We both traveled with our own water bottles and appreciated the ice water available in the afternoon in the hotel lobby.
We had reserved a deluxe twin room. Unlike some of our other 4 and 5-star hotel rooms, this deluxe twin room had us sleeping in tight quarters. The beds and pillows were comfortable, and the room was clean. Our room, #302, faced street-side at the 5-floor hotel. As this was a historic hotel, we appreciated the glass windows that opened, circulating fresh air into our room. The wood window shutters and heavy fabric drapes served as both blackout curtains and sound barriers from the street activity below.
Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula dining
After check-in, we wandered the historic center of Granada, Spain. We could have ordered cocktails at La Barra del Claustro or dined at El Claustro restaurant, serving Andalusian regional specialties. Instead, we opted for dinner downtown. Room service, for an additional fee, was also available.
The option of breakfast for purchase was offered to us upon check-in. We declined the breakfast of 23 euros. Instead, we grabbed coffee and pastries downtown and took the nearby bus to begin our 5-hour tour of The Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Having completed a full day of sightseeing, we walked our way back to the Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula and relaxed on our comfortable beds. To my delight, housekeeping had placed a Leonidas chocolate on each of our pillows. I traveled with chocolates from my city in Eugene, Oregon, to share with flight attendants, reception, and housekeeping hotel staff. I exchanged a few words, in Spanish, with my friendly housekeeper and offered my chocolates to her. We shared a smile.
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Guided Tours in Spain
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Get a Car Rental
- Get a universal plug adapter
Hotel amenities in Granada
In addition to a cloister for outside dining, the hotel offered occasional flamenco dancing with live music. The hotel had a small fitness center and a Turkish bath or steam room.
Rates at the Granada hotel started at $250, depending on the time of year and size of room. We were visiting Granada, Spain, in early May, the start of high season. The hotel was family-friendly, but not pet-friendly. The hotel offered private parking for an additional fee of 30.25 euros. There were no electric car charging stations at this Marriott Autograph Collection hotel.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
Review of Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula in Granada and all photography supplied by travel destination expert Nancy D. Brown. Her travel companion used her Marriott Bonvoy points for this 2-night stay. All opinions are her own.
