Experience regal luxury within the heart of Alhambra, Andalusia's famed hotel offers a grandiose stay.
Granada's Luxury Haven: The Alhambra Palace Hotel
Step into Southern Spain's enchanting city of Granada, where the new century ushered in a wave of tourism. The captivating Andalusian city was a popular destination, with travelers drawn by the splendid citadel of the Alhambra and the wild charm of the Sierra Nevada. A shrewd businessman, the Duke of San Pedro de Galatino, saw a golden opportunity for his city's growth. He was a visionary entrepreneur, well ahead of his time, and he capitalized on Granada's tourism potential. He embarked on the construction of two hotels, meticulously designing their plans: the Alhambra Palace landed a stone's throw from the citadel, perched on a hill overlooking the city, while the Hotel Del Duque nestled in the Sierra Nevada. An investment funded solely by the Duke, it proved to be more than profitable!
A Pioneering Masterpiece of Modernity
The Alhambra Palace officially opened its doors in 1910, with King Alfonso XIII presiding over the inauguration. The hotel was a groundbreaking architectural marvel, adorned with the first iron structure in all of Andalusia. It boasted its own power station and even boasted a tramway designed to connect it to the Sierra Nevada, where Hotel Del Duque could be found. The distinctive shade of the hotel's facade, an orangey red reminiscent of the iron-rich clay, echoed the nearby Alhambra palace. The interior design, lavish in azulejos and Moorish plaster ornaments, mirrored the elegance of its historic neighbor. On the ground floor, a casino quickly became the newest hotspot in Granada! patrons from all corners of Spain flocked to try their luck - until 1923, when gambling and games of chance were outlawed, forcing the Duke to close his primary source of income. However, the modern bedrooms on the upper floors continued to offer breathtaking views over the city, as did the hotel's scenic terrace.
A Golden Age for the Alhambra Palace
The Duke of San Pedro de Galatino tragically passed away in 1936, three months before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. His widow, Duchess Fernanda de Salabert y Arteaga, donated the hotel to the army, and it was swiftly transformed into a military field hospital. To protect it from aerial bombardments, the building's roofs were painted with red crosses – a technique that would prove its worth, as the establishment miraculously survived the conflict and reopened in 1942.
After the war, the Alhambra Palace once more became a staple in Granada. A symbol of luxury travel, it attracted an ever-growing international clientele. The Spanish royal family, particularly King Juan Carlos I, Queen Sofía, and the current King Felipe VI of Bourbon, continue to frequent the hotel. Alongside them, an esteemed roster of celebrities, including the Aga Khan, Charles de Gaulle, Dalai Lama, Jean Cocteau, Sophia Loren, Faye Dunaway, and more recently, Brad Pitt, have graced the halls of the Alhambra Palace with their presence.
In 2017, the five-star hotel underwent a complete renovation and now houses 108 rooms and suites. The establishment remains committed to environmental conservation, with a recent addition of an organic vegetable garden on the terrace. The terrace has also become home to an Arab-inspired restaurant, offering diners a chance to savor exotic flavors while admiring the city's rooftops. In essence, the Alhambra Palace Hotel offers a dreamy retreat in an enthralling city…
Alhambra Palace HotelPlaza Arquitecto García de Paredes 118009 Granada34 958 221 468www.h-alhambrapalace.es
Hotel Del Duque18160 Güéjar-Sierra34 958 566 588
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*Note: For more information on the historical development, notable guests, and connections to Alhambra, please see the enrichment data.
The Alhambra Palace Hotel, established in 1910, is a century-old luxury hotel inspired by the Moorish architecture of the nearby Alhambra palace. It has played a significant role in Granada's hospitality scene, hosting important events and prestigious guests, while offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the legacy and views of one of Spain's most treasured historical sites.
- The Alhambra Palace Hotel, with its sustainable organic vegetable garden and environmental conservation efforts, promotes a lifestyle of sustainable living, making it an ideal home-and-garden retreat for travelers seeking a spell of enchantment in Granada.
- For the discerning traveler, a stay at the Alhambra Palace Hotel provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in a fusion of modernity and tradition, offering luxury accommodations amidst the backdrop of iconic Andalusian attractions such as the Alhambra citadel and the Sierra Nevada, promising an unforgettable en-vols into the spirit of Southern Spain's captivating culture and history.
