I’ve never been one to look for luxury in my travels. I expected to be searching for the cheapest hostel I could find and not swanning around enjoying luxury in Granada. Mainly because it’s always been about exploring the location. My bed is nothing more than a place to sleep and store my belongings while I’m off eating amazing food and basking in the joy of whatever city or town I happen to find myself in. However when offered the opportunity swap my 10 bed dorm for a luxury 5 star hotel room well its a no brainer… I’m there.
This was the case when I stayed at Hospes Palacio de los Patos in Granada. Once a tired 19th century family home it was transformed into a stunning hotel mixing the old world charm of its heyday with the new and sleek of what we expect from a hotel of this standing.
Staying here felt like I was living in a grand old home and not a hotel. Climbing the marble stairway that lead to the bedrooms with huge wooden doors I couldn’t help but feel like I was living the life of a nobleman from times gone by. As such the first time up those stairs carrying my trusty backpack and wearing my typical travelling clobber I felt a little like I didn’t belong. This place oozes a type of character that I should only dream of entering.
Even in that state I couldn’t help but be excited. It’s buildings like this that I have walked past all over Europe and longed to explore inside. Not because they were a hotel or an office block, but because each one has a unique history and presence about it that lures me to want explore every nook and cranny.
From the doorway at the front to the courtyard in the rear this hotel defiantly lives up to its 5 star rating. I just wish I’d had more time to spend in the relaxed outdoor seating area and maybe book a session at the spa to really work out the stress of living a life of travel. Cos well you know it’s a hard life seeing the world and all.
Lastly I want to say many thanks to the staff and management of Hospes Palacio de los Patos for providing me with two nights of luxury accommodation. It was more than just a fancy nights stay, but a chance to enjoy a beautiful historic building from the inside and not be left stuck on the outside dreaming of what was hidden inside.
looks beautiful. That feeling of not belonging….I remember it well from when my mum, sister and I were in Italy last year. The tour we did had us staying in some posh hotels…in which I felt a little bit out of place with my backpack.
Awesomeness! We stayed in a little rented house in the Albaicin when I was in Granada and that was one of the most evocative places I’ve ever stayed. Hope you had ice cream at the ice-cream parlour across the road from the cathedral while you were there?? Think it’s called Los Americanos…