Hotels- Seville, Granada, Salamanca

We were in Seville and Granada in June. We did not have a car in Granada, so I can't comment on that aspect, but I can reccomend the hotel we stayed in. The Las Almenas Hotel was only $54 EU nite, (double), but had all brand new rooms with large bathrooms, and it was close to everything. (Read the reviews in TripAdvisor) In Seville we stayed at a Rick Pic; the Hotel Amadeus. We drove right up to the front door(almost...the front door in actally in a pedestrian alley), and then drove down the road 2-3 blocks to the underground parking garage ($19/nite). We absolutely loved the Amadeus; ask for a room in the "newer" section. It was close to everything.

We have not been to Salamanca but know Seville and Granada well and regularly drive to Granada in particular. Free parking close to the city centre, or on the edge of the city, will be extremely difficult/impossible to find - parking is generally 15 - 17 euros per day at a parking station or at the railway station. We have never stayed in a 4 or 5 star hotel in either place, some may provide parking but you may be paying a premium or additional cost for it, as well as have the real potential for hassle in getting to the hotel. We have lived in Spain for over 4 years and are confident drivers but we do not drive into the centre of either Seville or Granada. The old part of Seville, Barrio Santa Cruz, is particularly difficult - once was enough! As for specific recommendations - we generally stay in apartments, not hotels, but I have read good things about these hotels in Seville - they are the budget end. Hotel Amadeus, Hotel Alcantara and Hotel Murillo.

In Sevilla I would recommend Hostal Un Patio De Santa Cruz....I did not stay there on my last visit, but found it and will stay there next time.....not sure about the parking however. Suggest you check its web site. The NH Hotel in Salamanca would be a good choice, also not sure of the parking questiion. It is well located, a couple blocks off Plaza Mayor.

If you're going to stay in the city centers, you're almost going to have to pay for parking. I figure about twenty-five bucks a day.

Liz - We will be visiting this area in December and are considering renting an apartment for a week or so. Do you have specific recommendations for apartments or ways to find them?

Booked the Hotel Alcantara in Seville for 3 nights. Will have to pay to park somewhere. Seville is pretty booked in Oct. Tough to find a room. Granada next.

What are your price-points for lodging? I mean, less than 50 Euros for a double? Less than 75 Euros? Give us some idea and we'll narrow our suggestions to those. Keep in mind that hotels in Spain which do have parking available always charge you a healthy sum to park there. There's really no way around it. Other hotels/"hostales" which do not have their own parking garages (very few do, in fact) will "kindly" direct you to the nearest public parking lots for long-term parking. Saludos, MadridMan (and "GranadaMan") @ you-know-where!

We have used the following sites several times for apartments in Seville and Granada. www.sevilla5.com and www.granadainfo.com and could recommend both of them.

Thank you for the apartment-finding suggestions! I've found some good possibilities on vrbo.com and will now try the ones you've recommended.