Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Autograph Collection

Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula is a historic monument that began life as the convent of Santa Paula in the sixteenth century, and its restoration kept most of the main spaces of the original building. It stands on the Gran Vía de Colón, the broad avenue that cuts through the centre, about two blocks from the cathedral and the Royal Chapel, and it is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. There are seventy-five rooms, a mix of historic and modern spaces arranged around the cloisters and courtyards. Dining is a highlight: the main restaurant, El Claustro, is set in the ancient cloister, breakfast is served in the courtyard, and lunch and dinner are also served on the terrace. There is no full spa, but guests can use a sauna and a steam room, and a small fitness room is tucked into the crypt. Valet parking is available for a nightly fee, with a cheaper public garage a few hundred metres away. The setting is calm and elegant, a welcome retreat from the busy avenue outside.

Location and getting around: the Gran Vía is the most practical address in Granada. The cathedral, the Royal Chapel and Plaza Bib-Rambla are a few minutes’ walk away, Plaza Nueva and the start of the Albaicín are close, and buses to the Alhambra and the Albaicín leave from nearby Plaza Isabel la Católica. The Alhambra itself is a steep walk of half an hour or more, so most guests ride up. Taxis are easy to find on the avenue, and the station and airport are a short drive.

Rooms: rooms in the historic wing have more character, with beams, arches and period details, while modern rooms are more uniform and often quieter. All are furnished to the Autograph Collection standard, with comfortable beds and modern bathrooms. Ask for a room facing the interior if you are sensitive to street noise.

Who it suits: couples and culture lovers who want a special hotel without the hill climbs, Marriott Bonvoy members and anyone who wants the centre, the cathedral and the tapas bars on the doorstep.

Good to know: the gym is tiny, so do not book for the fitness facilities. Valet parking is expensive; the public garage nearby is the budget alternative. Breakfast in the courtyard is a pleasure but is usually charged separately unless your rate includes it.