Hotel Maciá Plaza Granada Plaza Nueva, 5 Online Booking

There are a wealth of fabulous golden beaches all along the Costa del Sol - Granada is an excellent base giving you the choice of beach life and the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains - super ski-ing slopes - with 250 days of sunshine a year and all year round ski-ing in the higher regions.

The city is steeped in history - especially Arabian history - the beautiful Alhambra Palace is said to be one of the 10 wonders of the world - an attempt to create "heaven on earth" - as portrayed in the Koran with gardens of running water - this site alone received 8000 visitors a year and is an impressive and exquisitely beautiful site. Opposite the Palace sits the Arabic Quarter - Albaicin with its rich tapestry of cobbled streets, ancient architecture, handicrafts, arts and authentic bars where you can taste tapas, sip the local wine and simply watch the world go by.

For something a little different and to really get to grips with ancient Arabic ways - head for Calle Caldereria Nueva where there are a host of tea rooms - try a herbal tea in true Bohemiam style. These tea rooms are dimly lit with low tables and scatter cushions and are extremely popular with the student community - opulent and soothing.

Good stuff: Location good.

Bad stuff: The mature gentleman at the reception desk could have smiled!

Overall: Simple, clean, good value for money accommodation, well located in Granada. Driving and parking in centre of town a challenge! But everything walkable from here. Breakfast substantial, although coffee machine - and toaster! - very slow, so leave enough time for a leisurely breakfast!!