It isn’t every day that you wake up in the grounds of Spain’s most striking, romantic and historic Moorish palace-fortress. This is the country’s most preferable parador and easily Granada’s most delightfully located hotel, tucked between serene gardens within the World Heritage-listed hilltop Alhambra complex.

The thing here is the exclusive, magical location, rather than a huge list of facilities, though service is extraordinary. Attentive English-speaking receptionists know their stuff about the hotel and Granada’s history.

Fresh flowers, white-cloth tables and kind service are amazing. Their restaurant offers Granada favourites like ajo blanco (cold almond-and-garlic soup) alongside sturdy fish or meat mains, Moorish-inspired dishes, seafood paella, and a delicious creamy rice with mushrooms, roasted peppers and sheep’s cheese.