A good value and shipshape establishment with lovely rooms in an very interesting district of Granada – Casa del Aljarife’s suite was perfect for four friends on an annual weekend break. The interior decoration, large, new bathroom (if you choose the right moment you can shower in the sun’s rays!) and views were great – the only caveat being the cheap, overly soft mattresses. Previous reviewers’ complaints about the uphill trudge to the hotel, the lack of toiletries or air conditioning didn’t worry us at all (in the autumn the latter is not needed – in fact more blankets would have been good). However, an interesting difference of opinion among reviewers about the owner, Christian Most, is relevant to our stay and reflects differences among our small group.

Unfortunately, the owner is rather too shipshape in his dealings with some guests and this – at least for me – is the major downside to Casa del Aljarife. It is true that he recommends and books local restaurants – which he duly did for us – and explains very clearly the logistics of keys and locks. However, he can be inflexible, abrupt, and is not a good communicator – in the broadest sense of the word. Confirmation of our restaurant reservation merited repeated loud knocks on the door during a much needed siesta – we had risen at 3am to catch our flights – such that we thought building work was ongoing. Ok, perhaps we should have told Mr Most that rest was sorely needed. However, this unnecessary heavy-handedness would continue.

Thus, breakfast must be taken at the appointed time, it is not possible to enjoy it in the room, and it cannot be taken in the garden – even when the communal table inside is full and guests are requested, none too politely, to wait in the garden. There may well have been a breakdown in communication about this incident but since an attempt to break the frostiness with humour and an appeal to discuss rather than ‘bark’ failed dismally, we shall never know. Relations worsened: the following day when Mr Most returned 30 minutes later than promised to find six guests waiting to collect their luggage, he could not, apparently, bring himself to apologize for the inconvenience – which for two of us meant a missed train to Seville and a lengthy delay. Being late, or being merry and late, is hardly a crime – particularly in Spain. It is just good manners to try to make amends. There was not a whiff of that about Mr Most’s parting word.

It seems clear that contrasting impressions of the owner of Casa del Aljarife reflect the simple fact that human beings are complex creatures and personalities interact uniquely. I would like to recommend this hotel, but I cannot say the same for the owner.

The room was large and very nice and the host thoughtful (his restaurant recs were great). But most of all the location is excellent, in the Albaycin but close to the other parts of town. It was easy to get to the major sites and find good nearby tapas bars and restaurants. The only downside was a bit of noise from some locals having a late night jam session just down the street.

Our visit to Granada was wonderful because of Christian Most and his lovely pension Casa del Aljarife. The location is delightful, the room we stayed in was charming, spacious, and cool in the hot daytime weather. The breakfast was simple but good in a lovely courtyard with blooming flowers and fruit trees. Mr. Most provided expert advice and a written guide to the best attractions and places to eat where service and food would be good. We simply followed his instructions and all his suggestions turned out to be excellent. The only drawback to the Casa is the uphill walk on cobblestone streets--but Mr. Most will meet you part way and carry your luggage if needed. We really enjoyed our stay and the Alhambra is incredible.

a recommendation of a small publication for best inns in southern spain. were offer a suite for the price of a double for our two-night stay in a cold December recently. The host emailed detailed driving, parking and waling instructions to the property, useful, given the pedestrian nature of the neighbourhood. The room was a large double, with two single beds next to each other (which is the norm in Spain), with a living area with sofas, TV and table. There was another bedroom, one with a sofa-bed, which may be the issue in previous reviews. Certainly for one, but not really suitable for a couple. The bathroom can be accessed from either bedroom, though from main room, you have to go through the stairway which leads to the kitchen. Christian was helpful with recommendations for restaurants and tapas bars. He walked us to allegedly his favourite restaurant, which was not such a bad choice. Breakfast was a good continental around a communal table, though when he had to leave early the first morning, he did not offer to provide us with a early breakfast. A good stay but Christian was not totally service-oriented.