Whether modern luxury with traditional elements in a stately hideaway in Granada or lush greenery and top-class art in a picturesque setting on the coast of Andalusia – in the south of the Iberian Peninsula you can experience the Spanish way of life, Moorish architecture and dream beaches.
Fragrant orange blossoms, delicious tapas, and the warmth of the southern Spanish sun on your skin – Andalusia is a feast for the senses. The architectural treasures of Granada, Malaga, Seville, and Córdoba are renowned – relics of a past when the Moors ruled the region. Today, life pulsates in these sometimes exotic-looking cities, each with a great deal to offer.
In the heart of Granada, Mediterranean serenity can be enjoyed at the boutique hotel Palacio Gran Vía – A Royal Hideaway. Ceilings with delicate stucco decorations, historic painted windows, and impressive views of the Alhambra and the cathedral make a stay at the 5-star hotel, housed in one of the city’s most iconic buildings, a truly magnificent retreat. In the elegant rooms, guests can expect beautiful views of the city, private terraces with solariums, earthy colours, natural wood furniture, and an exclusive atmosphere.


From bank to luxury hotel
The building, built in 1905 in the neoclassical style, was once the headquarters of the Rodríguez-Acosta bank. The basement served as an archive and vault, while the upper floors housed luxury apartments where the Rodríguez-Acosta family lived. Meticulously restored, the boutique hotel today celebrates this historical heritage with architectural elements such as the Neo-Mudejar coffered ceilings, tesserae floors, frescoes, modernist ornaments, and the original bank safes.

The walls are adorned with works of art, sculptures, and paintings from various eras, and the stained-glass windows from the early 20th century are particularly eye-catching. One of the windows was designed by the French artist Maumejean. In a bright, central courtyard, you can enjoy the sun with a coffee and lose track of time. Spatial highlights include the roof terrace with wide views over the city, the wellness area with a traditional hammam and the hotel’s own restaurant, which serves Mediterranean and international haute cuisine. Two of the building’s facades face Gran Vía de Colón and Calle Cetti Meriem. The Palacio Gran Vía – A Royal Hideaway Hotel is ideally located in the centre of Granada, opposite the cathedral, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance, and in close proximity to the Alhambra, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From the hotel, guests can explore the historic streets, the Generalife Gardens, the recreational area of the Nasrid kings, and the Albaicín, the city’s oldest quarter with its narrow streets, cafés, and restaurants, as well as Granada’s millennial heritage, home to some of the world’s greatest architectural treasures.


Green hideaway in Marbella
Located southwest of Granada on the coast of Marbella, the 5-star luxury Anantara Villa Padierna Resort is surrounded by lush gardens, three Andalusian golf courses, the famous sandy beaches of the Costa del Sol, and the enchanting diving and sailing spots of Puerto Banus. Ten minutes from Marbella’s historic old town, British architect Ed Gilbert designed this five-star resort in the style of an Andalusian palace, featuring 132 luxurious rooms, suites, and spacious one- and two-bedroom villas with exclusive wellness facilities.
Many of the hotel rooms and suites feature a spacious terrace overlooking the golf courses and the sea, and butler service is available. The Anantara Spa, inspired by Roman baths, features thermal baths, a pool picturesquely framed by palm and cypress trees, and hydrotherapy. Guests can recharge in the hammam and steam bath with aromatherapy, and enjoy body and facial treatments based on ancient Thai practices and ingredients. Ten treatment rooms and three water treatment areas are available, and meditation sessions and Pilates sessions are also available on the sun terrace to harmonise body and mind.


Wide selection, highest quality
The hotel’s public areas are decorated with more than 1,200 works of art, and the expansive garden is even more beautiful. The exquisite and diverse culinary concept is original, with the 99 Sushi restaurant, the Yumm! bistro serving healthy and fresh cuisine, and the Beach Club de Mar offering Mediterranean delicacies, Andalusian haute cuisine, DJ sounds, and cocktails. Leisure time can be spent in the private Racquet Club, and excursions to the nearby, enchanting sandy beaches and the region’s traditional mountain villages are also a must.
Photos Copyrights: Boutique-Hotel Palacio Gran Vía, Anantara Villa Padierna Resort