Staying in Spain :: Batali-Paltrow Style

Where: Real de la Alhambra, s/n, Granada, Spain, 18009

August 22, 2008 at 9:30 AM | by jennm | 0 Comments

This fall, PBS will debut the series "Spain... On the Road Again," based on an enviable Spanish road trip taken by Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman and Spanish actress Claudia Bassois.

We're jealous of this trip for many reasons (as well as Gwynnie's command of Spanish), but mostly because, according to Food and Wine, the famous foursome stayed at a handful of paradores--churches, palaces and monasteries converted into hotels by the government--including the nearly-impossible-to-get-into Parador de Granada.

Rooms are so coveted because the hotel is located within the walls of the Alhambra, the famous 11th-century Moorish Palace, an attraction so famous you can expect to wait in line a minimum of 45 minutes just to get into the place--and that's even with buying tickets in advance.

So it shouldn't come as a surprise that getting a room at the Parador de Granada requires reserving months in advance. A former 15th-century convent, the hotel is where Queen Isabel (of Christopher Columbus fame) was once buried and where Dali painted Gala. As expected, rooms are decorated in a Moorish style, with other pluses being a private garden (to keep out the hoi polloi) onsite restaurant and free wi-fi.

While the hotel is ensconced in Granada's main attraction, it is one long, steep, winding hill away from the rest of the city and its restaurants and bars, so it's worth just a one- or two-night stay if you want to explore the rest Granada. Plus, with rates starting at $367 a night, it's certainly not the cheapest place to stay in in the city.

HotelChatter

Select a Destination:

Tags: Gwyneth Paltrow / Mario Batali / TV Set Hotels / Paradores / Spain Hotels / → All Tags