La Almunia del Valle - Monachil, Spain     

We arrived after a period of heavy rain (rare!) to find our room had sprung a leak and the place was full. The owners could not have done more to make us welcome and to overcome the inconvenience. The room was not large but was designed to make great use of space. The views from the room and the hotel generally are spectacular. As others we decided to eat at the hotel but didn't realise they were closed for dinner on Sundays. In spite of this they recommended a place (average) and arranged a taxi. The 2 nights in were both good - nicely served food if a little expensive and reasonably priced wine. Breakfasts were excellent. On the right side of Granada for Al Hambra about 10/15 minutes in the car. Don't miss a walk in the Sierra Nevada from the hotel though. We did a circular walk of 2 to 21/2 hours and it was spectacular. Ask the hosts for details.

We just came back from a perfect stay at this hotel. To begin with we made a booking error. When I mailed them just we were going to the airport, this was taken care off by them straight away. They also confirmed our dinner and send us a route description. Nice. We were travelling with our 6 month old daughter. We arrived late in the evening. Though the description is good, you need to concentrate not to miss any signs. The tiny road uphil is a bit exciting, but added to our feeling that we were going to a special place. We were kindly greeted by Maria, who speaks perfect English. We stayed in La Almunia for 5 nights and it immediately felt as a home. Its a 3 star hotel, as it does not have all the fascilities of the grand hotels in Granada, but that is understandable. It only has 9 rooms and we think it just right not to have the typical standard mass fascilities. For us its absolutely more than a 3 star. This hotel has something personal. The owners had a good business in Madrid when they realized there are other things in life. So a few years agao they wrapped everything up and moved south to take over this hotel.They carved it ou as they think a personal and comfortabale place should be. And they hit the nail on the head. A perfect place to relax. With Granada and the Sierra Nevada just around the corner. (When we visited The Alhambra, we forgot our camera. My wife went back to the hotel, and returned within 35 minutes). The ski resort is also within 35 minutes. The scenery is breathtaking and it is very quite, both during the day and during the night. Food was excellent. We decided to have all our evening meals here. The price was 30 euros for a 3 course dinner. Maybe not the cheapest, but compared with the restaurants in town absolutely not expensive. Room and fascilities were clean and tidy. There is a nice lounge with a fire place. It has a huge librabry of travel/photo books of every corner of Spain. Every breakfast and dinner a baby chair was already fixed to the table before we showed up. The place is children friendly. We think Spanish in general are totally crazy with little children. In this place it was much the same. Our baby was greeted on every pass of all the staff. All staf were extremely friendly. After 5 nights it felt we were leaving friends. If you seek a good base in this region but do not want to be in the center of town or the typical tourist concentrations, this is the place to be. Arno & Karyn.