Hotel Casa Morisca

A gorgeous 15th century home with views of the Alhambra in Granada

Since this town home was built in the 15th century, before the Reconquista, it retains traces of its Moorish pool and gallery of columns around the patio.

It's in the Albayzin district of the old city at the foot of the Alhambra Hill, so many rooms come with fab views of the Alhambra directly above—and you’re perfectly sited to visit both the Alhambra and the sights around town on foot.

The rooms have wood ceilings, antique or contemporary wooden furnishings with Moorish styling, and all the comforts (TV, minibar, A/C, free WiFi).

The owners have kept a stricter eye on historical restoration than most other old hotels in town (local craftsmen doing repairs must use only the original building materials, like clay tiles and lime mortar).

They couldn't alter the "new" (17th-century) façade, but when they wanted to restore the turret on the top floor, they dug up a photograph from 1859 so they could get the details just right.

Twelve of the 14 rooms ring in at the prices above, but there are two special rooms (at €150–€198) and I couldn't resist including an image of the "Mirador" (the one with the Alhambra out the window) and one of the doubles with sitting room (with its 15th century painted wood ceiling). Note that this is still an incredible bargain price for that kind of view and this gorgeous a setting.

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