Carmen Hotel

Our travel agent booked us into this big central hotel and the choice was a good one. We liked the large reception rooms, bar area and restaurants down stairs. Rooftop pool was alot smaller than expected and didn't really entice a swim. We used this lovely spot to read and relax and have a drink. Breakfast was a huge buffet with something for everyone. Hallways upstairs could do with a spruce up, but the important hotel room is fine.We had adjoining rooms with our 12 and 14 year old which worked very well. Location is perfect with major shops across the road and all around. We found some great restaurants nearby and the walk there was very enjoyable. Granada is a fabulous big ancient city and we recommend staying here. They have a car park service also. Alderuccio family, Australia

The best things about this hotel are the location, the breakfasts and the carpark (rare to find one in Granada). However, we booked the hotel after seeing pictures of a fabulous pool and luxurious rooms. Not quite sure where those pictures were taken but I don't think it was in that hotel! The pool is no more than a splash pool though it is nice to have the outdoor space. Our rooms, whilst clean, were very dated, noisy with a slight sewage smell at times! BUT the worst thing about this hotel are the reception staff. They have to be seen to be believed. Do not expect ANY welcome on arrival nor any pleasantries upon departure. The gentleman on the desk was so surly and unwelcoming that frankly you wonder if they'd be happier if no one stayed in the hotel at all!

We stayed at the Hotel Carmen for 2 nights. We were very excited about the hotel because it looked great online. We were put in a room where the only window looked out to a brick wall. When we first entered the hotel room, it smelled like we were inside a Port-o-Potty. The smell never went away. We were literally gagging. We would have found a different hotel but there was no availability. Also, the shower sprayed water all over the ceiling whenever it was running. Therefore, it got the entire bathroom wet. The sheets were nice, the lobby was nice, the rooftop was nice, but the stinky, outdated room was not worth it. Stay somewhere else.

To be honest, this hotel needs a good refurbishment. It's clean enough, but it just doesn't lift your spirits. The location is fine but the hotel is on a very busy main road. Not a problem if you get the room we were in because our view was facing inwards to what can only be described as a "bricked ventilation shaft". I've sent a photo with this review, so click on the users pictures to see our wonderful view! A picure tells a thousand words. On a final note, we went in April and found the rooftop pool to be awful and tatty; almost deralict. Maybe things improve for summer when it warms up, I don't know. All in all, it's not a bad place; it just needs bringing into the new millenium.

After reading reports on this site (after we had booked) we arrived at the hotel with some trepidation. We should not have worried. The hotel is situated in the busy heart of the City opposite El Corte Ingles and within 5 minutes walking distance of the Cathedral. Many restaurant bars both inside and out are within walking distance serving till late. Yes the hotel has an old facade (but you are in an old city) but as soon as you set foot in the large modern cool A/C lobby everything changes. The room was big enough with twin beds placed together and nicely decorated, aircon ok, the bathroom modern with black and white marble. We were at the back of the hotel and had a large balcony with table and chairs. Great so far! The pool on the roof is small (maximum of 8 people at one time) and there are a limited number of sun beds which is offset by lots of tables and chairs. The ambience wow. Terrific views of the city and surrounding mountains and to sit up there in the late evening with a bottle of wine could not be beaten. Still great so far. Breakfast was included but according to others on this site not worth turning up for. Well something must have changed, Ok the bacon was the usual overdone streaky effort that one always associates with Spain and the fried eggs were a bit rubbery, But the rest of selection was superb, cold meats, tuna cheeses, boiled eggs, too much to mention. Oh and the staff were friendly and helpful when needed. Obviusly we went to a different hotel to some your posters, or at least it seemed so. Would not hesitate to recommend the Carmen to our friends, a good 4* hotel at great prices

We found access to the hotel by car from the 'ring road' straightforward, the staff were happy to park the car for you, however what is not mentioned is the 13 euros a day parking charge. This was a reasonable price to pay for being so central, the department store El Cortes Ingles is literally over the road and all main areas of interest are within walking distance including the tourist bus up to the Alhambra. Taxis are available from directly outside the hotel. The rooms were spacious with very effective AC and were clean, OK we didn't have a view but we were out most of the time. The breakfasts were good with lots of fresh fruit etc and did lean more towards a European style but we were in Spain! We would certainly use this hotel again especially if arriving by car.

Have just returned from the Hotel Carmen having stayed for the weekend. Very impressed with the location and standard. Staff all friendly and the rooms were fine, aircon in good working order, really can't see why some of the previous reviewers found fault, unless its undergone a serious renovation! We were there on a stag do and found plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs in the vicinity. If your looking for a good base for a reasonable price then you won't get better than this. One thing everybody does seem to agree on is the roof terrace. Fantastic view, nice little pool, plenty of room to sit out and catch the rays. Considering it's on the main street it's remarkably quiet as well. Happy days!

Very nice large lobby and lounge agrea. Unimpressive facade on busy street. We were in old wing, down an unpleasant maze of narrow, rather dingy halls. Lobby sometimes smelled faintly of sewage. Our room always smelled stale. The A/C did a barely adequate job of keeping us cool. It was a comfortable temperature for sleeping but you'd work up a sweat if you moved around or were in the bathroom, which was in the opposite direction from the A/C vent. Window faced apartment windows, which were too close for me. Could hear loud street noises. Jackhammer and sirens at 7:30 one morning. But normal street noises blocked out. Two twin beds too short, even for someone 5'6". The buffet breakfast was included in the price of the room. Scrambled eggs, half-cooked bacon. Some sausages, cheeses, stale croissants. Also included toast, sliced tomatoes, corn flakes, OJ (the only juice), yogurt, and some fresh fruit. All in all, not very exciting. The best thing about the Carmen was its rooftop. Though the pool was only slightly bigger than a hot tub, the patio area was extensive, with multiple levels and a nice view of the Alhambra in the distance, church steeples nearby, and swifts circling overhead.

Great place to be and nice, friendly staff. Good shopping is very close and nice restuarants are easy to find. Was very cheap but that is probably because the room was pretty awful, clean but very very dark and the furniture was very oddly arranged so you coulnd't get round the bed. I'd ask for a room which is on the outside so you don't find yourself at the bottom of a pit.

We stayed there in March and thought it was lovely. Well --after reading descriptions here of the hotel being old and in need of renovation, I have to guess that sometime between October 2004 and March 2005 the renovations were completed.The room was very attractive and certainly not worn in any way. The lobby similarly and hallways were extremetly attractive and the breakfasts were very extensive in their offerings. The service was great. The location is extremely convenient and certainly in teh center of things. We had a great time and I thought it was a great hotel.