Gran Hotel Luna de Granada is a long-established hotel on the Gran Vía de Colón, the broad avenue that runs through the heart of the modern city between the cathedral district and Plaza Isabel la Católica. That position is its main selling point. Granada is built on hills, and hotels on the Alhambra slope or in the Albaicín mean steep, cobbled walks with luggage, whereas the Gran Vía is flat and well served by taxis and buses. From the front door you can reach the cathedral and the Royal Chapel in a few minutes on foot, the lanes of the Alcaicería and Plaza Bib-Rambla are close by, and the streets around Plaza Nueva, the start of the walk up to the Alhambra and the Carrera del Darro, are within easy reach. The hotel suits visitors who want a comfortable, central base with classic hotel services rather than a themed boutique stay, and it works well for short trips, for travellers arriving by train or bus who want to avoid the hill, and for anyone who prefers to be near restaurants and shops in the evening.
Location and getting around
The Gran Vía is the spine of the old centre's commercial district, so you are surrounded by cafés, pastry shops and bars, and the tapas streets around the cathedral and Calle Navas are a short stroll away. Urban buses stop nearby, including the small minibuses that climb to the Alhambra and the Albaicín from Plaza Nueva and Plaza Isabel la Católica, and taxis are plentiful.
The train and coach stations are a short taxi or bus ride from the hotel, and the airport shuttle bus serves the centre. If you are driving, ask the hotel about parking before you arrive, because the old centre has restricted access zones and fines are automatic.
Rooms and facilities
Expect a classic city-hotel style, with comfortable rooms in a range of sizes, private bathrooms, air conditioning and a quiet working space in many of them. Rooms facing the avenue have more outlook but can pick up traffic noise, while inner rooms are quieter, so ask for what you prefer when you book. Breakfast is normally available as a buffet, though some rates exclude it, so compare terms. Facilities and room categories can change, so check the details of your chosen rate before you reserve.
Who it suits
First-time visitors who want to walk everywhere, couples on a city break, travellers with luggage or limited mobility who prefer flat ground, and families who value a central address and the freedom to dip back to the room during the day. It is less atmospheric than the Albaicín or the Alhambra slope, and you will not wake up to a view of the palaces, but you gain convenience and a wide choice of places to eat.
Good to know
A room here does not include an Alhambra ticket, and you still need a timed slot for the Nasrid Palaces, so book it at the same time as your room. The walk from the hotel to the Alhambra entrance takes roughly thirty to forty minutes, partly uphill, or you can take a taxi or the minibus from Plaza Nueva. Granada fills up in spring, at Easter and on autumn weekends, so reserve early for those dates.
Why stay here
- ✓Central Gran Vía location on flat ground
- ✓Short walk to the cathedral and Royal Chapel
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓24-hour reception
- ✓Breakfast available
- ✓Elevator
- ✓Luggage storage
Good questions
How far is Gran Hotel Luna de Granada from the Alhambra?+
About thirty to forty minutes on foot, partly uphill, or a short taxi or minibus ride from Plaza Nueva. Book your timed Alhambra slot allowing for the journey.
Is the hotel near the cathedral and the Royal Chapel?+
Yes, both are a few minutes away on flat streets, along with the Alcaicería and the tapas bars of the old centre.
Is it a good base without a car?+
Yes. The flat Gran Vía location has taxis and buses close by, and the centre is easy to explore on foot. Check parking before you arrive if you are driving.
