Vacation Rentals by Owner

Comfortable and cozy, feels like home

Guest: GloriaM. (Paris)
Date of Stay: 01/04/12 Review Submitted: 01/10/12

Casa Grenadine is an authentic Albycin house, perfect to further enjoy the pleasure of discovering the mysteries of Granada. It is furnished with very good taste and taking into account a great range of potential needs of the visitors. A broad documentation on Granada and the surroundings is available on the house. The owners are very responsive to inquiries before the arrival and provide by postal mail practical information to help preparing the visit. The location enables multiple programs at walking distance and offers ever renewed breathtaking views of the Alhambra 24 hours a day. Casa Grenadine is a highly recommendable place to stay and come back.

Owner response:Thank you, Gloria. We are really happy you felt at home at la casa Grenadine. We are hoping to meet you one day. All the best, Chris and Stik

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

bright, gorgeous, vibrant - all true

Guest: BB (Singapore)
Date of Stay: 12/08/11 Review Submitted: 12/13/11

Our family of 5 (youngest child 10 years old) stayed for 3 nights from 8-11 December. The first impression walking in was "wow!" - grand view of the Alhambra from the kitchen, from the patio, from the top floor - so you could have the view at night, in the morning, in the day. The house was very well-equipped. The house was adorned with all kinds of interesting collections from around the world - lampshades of different designs, mirrors, posters, cupboards, chairs, laces. The house itself is a point of interest in that respect - each day you would notice something you didn't remember seeing the day before. The owners provided detailed instructions in English which were very helpful. The recommendations of restaurants, bars - even a hairdresser which we tried! - were reliable. Going to the airport they also arranged transport which could fit 5 persons. It helped a lot to be able to ask questions and get quick email responses in English. Sometimes it can be a problem in these regions to have a owner who cannot quite help due to limited English ability, especially if an unexpected problem arises. For non-Spanish guests, this can be more important than you might imagine.

Owner response:Hi ! We are really happy you enjoyed your stay in our house. We would be delighted to meet you next time you come to Granada. All the best for 2012 !

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

casa grenadine is a warm and welcoming home away f

Guest: Elain from Australia
Date of Stay: 12/03/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

our time in granada was perfect. we were warmly welcomed. all our questions were answered. information about the house and area were very helpful. recommendations re food and activities were spot on. casa grenadine is spacious and cosy and has the most amazing views. everything we needed to be comfortable was there, which is much appreciated when travelling.the owners were helpful,flexible. great value for money. fabulous location.

Recommended for:

Felt right at home

Guest: virginia- (salem)
Date of Stay: 11/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

The house is as described. Worked very well for us. Being in the center of Old Granada is ideal. We watched movies that were in the apartment, used the electricity converters, and other assorted amenities. The owners guidebook and tips were quite helpful. Thank you for sharing your Granada home with us..

Owner response:We are really happy you chose our house for your Granada stay. We will be delighted to see you again in September 2012 with your family. All the best, Christine and Stik

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

This home surpassed our expectations!

Guest: Colleen from Irvine, CA
Date of Stay: 11/24/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

We are a couple with a four year old son traveling with another couple with a four year old and an infant. The home was perfect for us because there is a bedroom on each of the three floors and we had plenty of space for both families. The views were spectacular and the home was very tastefully decorated and located in a delightful neighborhood. Christine met us and gave us a very helpful orientation to the area and arranged a paella cooking lesson for us with Manoli. We thoroughly enjoyed our three day stay in Granada and the highlight was cooking and enjoying our delicious paella on our balcony overlooking the alhambra.

Recommended for:

Beautiful old house

Guest: California family
Date of Stay: 11/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

La Casa Grenadine is a beautiful old house in the ancient part of Granada. It sleeps 6 comfortably and has 2 terraces with stunning views over the alhambra. It is located so you can explore many places of interest on foot and walk to great restaurants and tapas bars. the owner, Christine, was most helpful before our stay, answering our many questions and providing useful information. We were a party of 6, 4 in their twenties and 2 in our fifties and all had a great time!

Recommended for:

We recommend this place without hesitation!

Guest: Family from Dallas
Date of Stay: 11/20/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

Absolutely a great experience in every way! The owners were very helpful in making reservations and preparations. They were full of good suggestions and even made reservations for us to the alhambra. Accommodations were made incredible by the fact that there are two balconies that have unobstructed views of the alhambra - delightful for morning coffee or a late night glass of wine! You're in the albayzin part of Granada so that means you have some steep passageways to walk, but then that's a big part of what Granada is all about.

Recommended for:

We all loved Casa Grenadine

Guest: Abi from Texas
Date of Stay: 11/19/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

The house was comfortable, and very well equipped. My boys were in heaven with the toys and the children's movies! I couldn't have asked for anything more. The pantry idea with grocery items saved us a couple of times, superb idea! Christine ensured our check-in was thorough, smooth and provided endless information. Of all the places in Spain, we felt Granada was the most beautiful, and we are so sorry we couldn't have spent more time there.

Recommended for:

Thank you !

Guest: Portland family
Date of Stay: 11/16/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

We were a family of seven three were children. It was a great time and the accomadations were perfect for us. We walked every place. Christine made arrangements for arriving and leaving. Great food just down the street and a great restaurant just up the street.

Recommended for:

Very special place to stay !

Guest: Meriel from WI
Date of Stay: 11/12/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

Our family of 5 thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Granada and the albayzin. It's an easy drive down to the Mediterranean and then back to Granada to enjoy an evening of flamenco dancing. Driving in the albayzin is not for the weak hearted with its one way narrow streets. That does however add to the mystique of the area!. Christine's house is spacious, comfortable and with a great view of the alhambra

Recommended for:

Totally misleading description

Guest: jb (Tahoe)
Date of Stay: 11/09/11 Review Submitted: 12/15/11

Arrived on schedule only to find the house was totally unacceptable. The owners conveniently failed to mention the master bedroom was on the third floor with the bathroom almost four floors down (semi basement). There is shabby chic and there is shabby...the house is the latter with the exception of a few 'special' accent pieces. Closet spaces were racks of the type we use for storage. The heating system is a series of room heaters with the main heater being a propane gas (ala barbeque) unit. No way would we consider using this for safety reasons. Obviously we were on different pages when we were corresponding with the owner. The photos gave a very 'creative' impression. The house was not as shown. We fled to a hotel...forfeiting our deposit happily. A very unpleasant experience indeed.

Owner response:Thank you for the review. For ten years of renting La casa Grenadine, satisfaction of our renters has been top priority. We take every criticism, problem, or mishap seriously and keep improving. We also make sure people know where they go... Our area is not suitable for disabled people and our house neither, as mentioned on our vrbo page. For eight months we’ve been preparing and organizing your visit together and I understand how frustrating it must have been when you realized our house was not suitable to your special needs. I immediately suggested to find another house for you (Actually I found an elegant apartment with easy access and Alhambra views even if I would have had to pay money from my pocket for you to stay there !).... But you refused to leave our house ! Let's me explain more: the furniture.… we are not into modern stuff, we are not so keen on Ikea plastic style… we took a long time to find each piece of furniture… actually each object or furniture has a history and a story ! We traveled to remote parts of Andalusia to find 19th century hand painted cabinets, went to North Africa and spent days drinking mint tea buying antics... while giving milk bottles to our babies. It was great fun ! the towel rack comes from a British antic dealer in Exeter… I still remember the face of the staff at the checking-in desks in Gatwick airport ). You didn't have time to see but our new heating system is electric in all the rooms, except for the high ceiling lounge on the top floor... where a brand new traditional gas heater nicely and safely warms the room. We hope you also appreciated the help to organize your holiday around Andalusia, the bottle of wine, the food and the fresh flowers we had left for you. On our side we would have appreciated more communication... You didn't have to escape like thieves at the middle of the night to avoid paying your bill. By the way, you still owe us 1100 euros for the two houses you rent from us, more 28 euros for the Alhambra tickets you asked me to buy. We understand that the Albayzin and its rustic dwellings are not for everybody but promise, we never tried to mislead you and we don't understand why VRBO allows dishonest people like you to leave damaging reviews on their website!

Recommended for:

Basking in the glow of the Alhambra!

Guest: Alice (Toronto)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 02/01/12

We were two couples who rented this wonderful house for a week in October 2011. It had everything we could have possibly needed; great location, three comfortable bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and two gorgeous decks with incredible views of the Alhambra and surrounding Albaycin. Christine was very helpful, friendly and honest. We recommend this rental to all!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Well worth it!

Guest: Bellbird (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/14/11

Our family of 5 - including three kids aged 13, 15 and 19 - had a wonderful time at Casa Grenadine. From the moment we stepped off the train at Granada's station, Christina and Stik were there to greet us and toss our luggage and us into the back of their sturdy Landrover and deliver us along cobblestones and alleyways to the door of their charming Albayzin home. Christina walked us to the door (you need strong luggage) and showed us around, and gave us all sorts of inside info on getting the most our of our time in Granada. She even wrote up a suggested menu at a nearby recommended restaurant, and told us to let the waiters know we were "friends/clients" of Casa Grenadine. The house was in a great spot and the views of the Alhambra, day and night, are even better than the website pictures declare. We used all facilities - laundry, kitchen, deck etc. Everything worked well, and if we needed assistance, Christina was but a phone call away. She even organised cabs for us using her favourite drivers, Manuel and his wife. We can attest to their efficiency and charm. So couldn't recommend this house and its owners highly enough. Thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Under the spell

Guest: rosie downunder (Melbourne Australia)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/17/12

My husband and I stayed at Casa Grenadine for two weeks in September 2011. It was a return visit for myself, as I had rented the house two years earlier with a friend. I enjoyed it as much as the first time, in fact even more as our stay was longer than my first visit. This house is a gem, and once you get caught under its spell, you want to plan your next visit. If you love history and a beautifully decorated old house with character (containing everything and more you need) that is situated in a prime spot with regards to the Alhambra and Granada, this house is for you. The owners are very friendly and are keen to make your stay as comfortable and interesting as possible. Thank you Christine for your warm hospitality and very informative walking tour through the Albayzín.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magical Granada!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/08/11 Review Submitted: 07/16/11

We stayed in Chris's magical Granada house for three nights in July of 2011--myself, my husband, and three children (ages 12, 11, and 7)--and hated to leave. The house was perfectly decorated for the area and included many touches to make it a home-away-from-home. We loved wandering the neighborhood and eating breakfast on the balcony with our view of the Alhambra. We hope to come again!

Owner response:Hi Elizabeth, We are really happy you enjoyed Granada and la casa Grenadine. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. We hope you´ll stay again in the near future. Thank you for the San Francisco tips, very useful ! All the best, Christine and family

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Terrific home and hospitality

Guest: Laura (Chicago, IL USA)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

We were a family of 5 with 3 kids and enjoyed our time in Granada. The house is comfortable, well equipped and very well located for all of the sights. We LOVED the views/terraces and sat on them each evening gazing at the amazing views of the Alhambra. And by far and away what makes this house a "home" is Christine's caring support and assistance throughout. As a newcomer to Granada, she gave me a tour, highlighed key stops, helped us find our way around and throughout the week, she was always readily available to help. This was our first stop of 3 weeks of travel in Europe and we were quite tired/jet lagged the first few days but we found our way quickly with Christine's help. It was very very unseasonably hot when we stayed, so having those fans for each room is key. While it cools in the evening, the fans are critical during those hot stays (90-100 degrees F during our stay). We also loved our evening with Manoli who made a delicious dinner and offered another insight into Spanish/Granada culture. She was energetic, fun and patient w/my Spanish and provided a wonderful dinner. Thank you to Christine!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Spectacular

Guest: Tom (Napa, Ca USA)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 06/09/11

By far, the highlight of a three week visit to Spain and Portugal. The ambiance of the home and neighborhood was incredible. The views from either terrace were spectacular. Christine was the ultimate hostess, always available to lend some advice if needed. She responded quickly to my e-mails anhd made whatever phone calls needed to secure tickets to desired venues. Once we figured out the lay of the land we were very comfortable strolling the surrounding area. Great walking town. Public transit is close by, as are groceries, restaurants and a couple of small, local bars. If we were to consider buying property in Granada, we would hold this one as the model.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Two Couples from Canada - Wonderful experience in Granada

Guest: Lou (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/02/11 Review Submitted: 05/30/11

We were travelling as two couples in our sixties through Andausia in the Spring of 2011 and had the good fortune to find Christine’s listing. After our 4 night stay, we all agreed that the house was perfect for our needs – the location, the way it was decorated, and equipped. Altogether we travelled to Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Ronda, and Malaga - and without hesitation when we think about where we would want to return and spend a month - it is Granada. This is partly due to the wonderful neighborhoods that we explored, but also due to Christine’s helpful hospitality to explain the various locations, special music venues known only to the locals, where to pick up tickets for the Alhambra, where to shop with locals for fresh foods, etc etc. Her unofficial "tour guide" efforts really made the difference and we were very grateful to her for that. The house was very comfortable for two couples – separate spaces on three floors to enjoy including two balcony/patios, both with wonderful views of the Alhambra. The kitchen was very well equipped with utensils and all of the everyday essentials – coffee, tea, spices etc so we did not need to shop for these. The location could not have been better - close walking distance to all of the sights, and part way up the slope with the best view in the city. Not the least of our remembrances was the cooking class hosted by Christine’s helper Manoli - she is so enthusiastic and warm that, as wonderful as the paella and salads were, - she was the "star", and made the evening special . That and sitting out on the spectacular patio, enjoying the paella and wine, and gazing at the perfect view of the Alhambra at night. Wonderful memories ! We would definitely recommend the house to others.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent home away from home

Guest: Abby (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/24/11 Review Submitted: 04/05/11

The house was comfortable, and very well equipped. My boys were in heaven with the toys and the children's movies! I couldn't have asked for anything more. The pantry idea with grocery items saved us a couple of times, superb idea! Our host ensured our check-in was thorough, smooth and provided endless information. Of all the places in Spain, we felt Granada was the most beautiful, and we are so sorry we couldn't have spent more time there.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Obvious eye for detail

Guest: nikita.elsol (New Zealand)
Date of Stay: 02/14/11 Review Submitted: 02/15/11

My husband and I enjoyed a beautiful stay at Christina and Sticks great townhouse. Staying here is a fantastic way to fall in love with the amazing vibe of Granada. We found that the location of the house was perfect for us as we were able to find all the great spots of the city very easily and find our way home with out trouble. During our stay it was raining, however the house was so cozy and looking at the Alhambra rain or shine is a beautiful sight to see. One of our most notable observations was the fantastic eye for detail the owners have, everything from the choice of cooking books in the kitchen, selection of CD and Videos (for young and old) the colour schemes and the furniture that has obviously been careful chosen over time to suite the feel of the house. I highly recommend staying at this very comfortable spot in the heart of a very beautiful city.

Owner response:Dear Sara, We are delighted to read you enjoyed your Granada stay and our house. Many thanks for the nice comments. We've remembered your suggestions and have bought umbrellas to leave in the house ... hopefully not to be used too often !! We are looking forward to seeing you again in a near future, all the best, the Cook family

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Can't wait to return!

Guest: Chris, Petra, Tom (5) and Anna (3) (Australia)
Date of Stay: 02/03/11 Review Submitted: 03/30/11

We loved our stay in Casa Grenadine, from our first rendezvous with the housekeeper to our reluctant farewell. Its location alone guarantees a full experience of flamenco culture, but the house itself is a rare jewel - more like a second home than a vacation house to let. Excellent wifi, a kitchen full of appliances and equipment, and rooms of cushions, throw rugs, wall art - it was cosy and welcoming. Best of all is the view, from not one but two sun-drenched terraces, of the Alhambra with snow covered Sierra Nevadas in the distance. Truly magical. Without wanting to be too over the top, we can honestly state that the interest Chris took in our stay, from the initial information pack, to the welcome package awaiting us, and all the answered enquiries in-between, was unparalleled in our extensive career of VRBOing. She helped make our stay in Granada great, with lots of local knowledge to offer. We can't wait to return. The kids enjoyed every excursion into the Albayzin labyrinth, but we would definitely enjoy exploring those steep cobbled streets without a stroller! Maybe in a few years, and our first choice will be Casa Grenadine.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Can't wait to return!

Guest: The Bradfords from California (Lake Tahoe, California)
Date of Stay: 01/20/11 Review Submitted: 02/20/11

Our stay at “Casa Granadine” was ideal. Located just above Plaza Nueva and the Caldería, it is within a pleasant walking distance to so many of Granada’s attractions. The house itself had all the modern amenities, but all tastefully accented in a classic Albaycin style casa. It is cozy enough for two, but roomy for six. The two terraces offered jaw-dropping views of the Alhambra. We saw all the sights when in Granada, but what we keep talking about is our stay at Casa Granadine. We’re already looking forward to our next stay!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

If you plan to visit  Granada, DO NOT HESITATE to stay here

Guest: Brord (Los angeles)
Date of Stay: 01/06/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/11

Thank you, Stik and Christine for such a wonderful stay in your beautiful house. If you plan to visit  Granada, DO NOT HESITATE to stay here! The house is exactly as shown in the pictures, if not better. We were so fortunate to come across the "casa Grenadine" for our annual family vacation in January.   The house is so CHARMING  and has balconies with spectacular  views directly onto the ancient Moorish Palace of the Alhambra. Morning coffee will never be the same at home!   The kitchen is well stocked (it’s so rare to find a rental with all you need to cook including groceries and spicies…. Even detergent for the washing machine !) and very clean. We really felt welcome when we saw fresh flowers and a bottle of wine on the table when we arrived.   The atmosphere and comfortable furniture made it easy to play games, enjoy a movie, or read a book. The downstairs bedroom had just been refurbished with new traditional terracotta floor, exposing original white painted beams… what a beautiful result!   The owner Christine is extremely nice and helpful. She goes above and beyond to make your stay in Granada the best as possible.  Prior to arrival she organised train tickets and visits to the Alhambra for us. She answered our numerous questions with great patience. Once in Granada, she took the time to show us the best place for bread, fish, coffee, and tapas…. A real gold mine of information!   The best review we can give, is that we will  definitely come back to Granada and stay in the same house. It was PERFECT !

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent home in a beautiful place

Guest: JohnCherie (Sydney Australia )
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

The owners, Christine & Stik Cook, did everything to make our stay in Grenada a memorable one. They contacted us before our arrival with plenty of information and advice to ensure we got the most out of our stay. Their home is really wonderful and has views across to the Alhambra, is close to all the action and is a really excellent place to stay. Our family of 5 all fell in love with Granada and part of the appeal was the welcome from the Cook's and the opportunity to stay in a marvellous home in a marvellous location.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Nice views otherwise dissapointing

Guest: Traveler (South Boston, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 12/20/10 Review Submitted: 01/04/11

We stayed at this property for four nights in December. Truly beautiful views of the Alhambra. However, the apartment itself was disappointing. The lowest bedroom was something comparable to a dungeon. Rain water leaked through the ceiling of the master bedroom and some windows. The extremely small kitchen was infested by ants and the overall house lighting was dim. Much of the furniture is quite dilapidated. Future visitors should be aware of the overall awkward layout of this apartment with the bathroom on the lowest level and the master bedroom on the third floor.

Owner response: Thank you for the review. For 10 years of renting La casa Grenadine, satisfaction of our renters has been top priority. We take every criticism, problem, or mishap seriously and keep improving. Every rented house can get tired of its own success, so we regularly renew our stock of electric appliances, mattresses, bedding (nothing second hand or cheap). During your stay you have enjoyed a new washing machine, a new tumble dryer, a new gas hob, new mattresses, new toaster, new kettle, new white linens, new bed spreads, new crockery. In 2009 we changed the roof (If you let us know where you ‘ve seen water coming through the ceiling we would be grateful as we could contact our builder - the roof has a 10 years guarantee). I’m so sorry you haven’t be able to enjoy Granada to its best because of 4 days of torrential rain. For 3 months we’ve been preparing and organizing your visit together and I understand how frustrating this can be ! Let me explain more: The furniture.… we are not into modern stuff, we are not so keen on Ikea style… we took a long time to find each piece of furniture… actually each object or furniture has a history and a story ! We traveled to remote parts of Andalusia to find 19th century hand painted cabinets, went to North Africa and spent days drinking mint tea buying antics... while giving milk bottles to our babies. It was great fun ! the towel rack comes from a British antic dealer in Exeter… I still remember the face of the staff at the checking-in desks in Gatwick airport! Unfortunately we can’t expand our kitchen, it will stay at the size shown on the photos… the most important thing being that we’ll keep filling the cupboards with groceries to make sure our guests find all they need at their arrival, from coffee to toilet paper, including laundry detergent, oil and vinegar. I apologize for the colony of ants who chose to spend the Christmas holidays in your kitchen… this is extremely rare in winter and what ever you did, it worked… because they all had disappeared. Despite all this, I hope you appreciated the help to organize your holiday around Andalusia, the Christmas decorations, the wine, the food and the fresh flowers we had left for you. As well as the effort we made to prepare for you and your family, a warm and clean house. We understand that the Albayzin and its rustic dwellings are not for everybody but promise, we never tried to mislead you and we would be happy to welcome you again in Granada on a sunny day.

Recommended for:

Guest: Lisa from Stanford, UK
Date of Stay: 10/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/09/11

We stayed in the villa in October and had a lovely time. There were six of us staying together. The oldest was 70 and the youngest was 3, but the villa worked out well for everyone. There is a small shop just around the corner which had all the basic groceries and necessities we needed during our stay. The employees are friendly and speak excellent English. My teenage sons enjoyed the internet connection. There is a lovely walk from the villa to the Alhambra which we all enjoyed. The bus stop is nearby as well. We enjoyed shopping and dining in the Albayzin and always felt safe, day or night. We could walk to most places easily, but also found the city buses easy to use. Chris provided some basic groceries and a bottle of wine for us upon our arrival which was lovely. The villa was clean and well kept. We were able to fix simple breakfasts and dinners in the kitchen, and enjoyed meals out on the balcony with the beautiful views of the Alhambra. Comfortable shoes are a must, I can't stress this enough. The hills and the cobblestones can really wear out your feet in a hurry.

Recommended for:

A charming home right in the Albaicyn

Guest: Isey (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/17/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

We stayed in this house in October 2010 and had a wonderful time. It was one of the highlights of our trip. It is in a terrific position, with stunning views of the Alhambra. Christine and Stik were incredibly welcoming and helpful and anything that came up during our stay, they were immediately available to help out, nothing was too much trouble. There were 4 of us (2 couples) and the house accommodated us easily including the one bathroom which was a generous size. It is decorated with what seemed to us like a loving and thoughtful touch. Getting our luggage to and from the house up to Christine's place along the narrow steep cobble stone streets was a challenge but that's the price you pay to stay in the charming and hugely interesting and vibrant old city where you are often unable to drive your car. Best feature of this house are the views from the balconies of the Alhambra. We highly recommend this house.

Owner response:Dear Irene and William, We are glad you and your family enjoyed your time at la casa Grenadine and thanks for sharing your comments! We hope you enjoy the memories and come back soon... even if Australia is a bit far ! Meanwhile, we wish you all the best for the New Year, Chris

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

I'm so ready to go back

Guest: Fly Me Somewhere (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 09/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

We travel a lot and have relied upon VRBO.com for many years. A find like this home in the Albaicin is why we are so fond of the website. On a cold Wisconsin day like today I dream of going back. I will, I promise, within a few years. Granada is very special. This home is a perfect choice. There were just two of us, but we chose it because 1) the price was right, and 2) we like to scout places we might visit again with family in tow. Wifi was reliable. It was great to have a washer and dryer. The view is as fine as I will experience in a lifetime. Christine is a very helpful hostess. There was really no reason to leave. (Ok, once she gave us a quick run down of her favorite tapas bars, we left a couple of times.) The communication prior to our arrival was excellent. Nothing was a surprise. The house is on three levels, but you know that already. The bathroom may be on the ground floor and you're on the top, but you adjust to that. I can't attest to the TV because we never turned it on. The Albaicin is not an easy travel destination. The terrain is vertical at times with cobblestones that are often gapped and uneven. I am not terribly fit, and I survived. Pace yourself and you'll be fine. It's definitely one of my Top 5 destinations in the world. Like I said, I'll be back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

So much better than a hotel in a touristy neighborhood!

Guest: CAMDM (Berkeley, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/23/10 Review Submitted: 09/27/10

We all loved this house. I was travelling with my 19 and 20 year old children. There was plenty of room for us to spread out, but also places to be together. The location is excellent - we had a taste of what it is like to live in the Albaicin! We could walk to markets, cafe's and restaurants and caught the bus to our other destinations. The house is very well furnished. The kitchen is well stocked. Christine was very helpful. The photos of the balconies don't do them justice. I look forward to my next stay here!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great time in Granada

Guest: Mark and Susie (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Thanks Chris and Stik for such a great time. Five of us stayed in this lovely home. Steep winding cobbled streets, wonderful views, buying freshly baked bread every morning etc etc. Christine was great showing us around and welcoming us. The streets and alley ways are steep and uneven so anybody who is not fit or has foot or knee issues this would not be your best choice. We used both of the balconies every night. The locals in the little stores were so nice. The home itself is lovely, the bathroom is on the bottom floor, so there are a few steps to go up and down, nice thick plush towels. The kitchen was easy to use and we cooked a couple of meals there. Make sure if you are a family to buy the 22 euro bus pass as you get twice as many trips on the buses instead of paying for each individual one. We walked a lot as well and it was easy to get around. We also used Christines taxi drive friend Manuel to get to the airport as we were 5 and did not want to pay for 2 taxi's he charges 30 euros. Thanks again for helping make a great family vacation. Sincerely Mark and Susie Allen Colorado USA

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We spent 9 days in this charming house with a beautiful few of the Alhambra.

Guest: goddess (Santa Cruz, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

We wandered the narrow streets finding a market, plazas and restaurants. It was a short walk to the river and the Moroccan shops on the way to the city center where we found more fresh produce markets. We enjoyed the terraces for meals or relaxing. The owner is the nicest landlord we encountered in our 6 week trip in Spain, providing brochures and helpful hints when we needed them. Definitely a home away from home.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Alhambra Palace Family House

Guest: Jeff (Alpharetta, Georgia, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/26/10

My wife and I and two friends spent 9 wonderful days in June 2010 at Christine's house in Granada. The house has a wonderful view of the Alhambra, we spent many evenings in awe of the amazing sight. Staying in the Albacin district was very "local" with markets and tapas bars within walking distance. The people in Granada were wonderful. Christine was an excellent host, and our taxi driver, Manuel and his wife were equally accomodating and really a pleasure. This was an authentic, romantic trip of a lifetime for us and we highly recommend this lovely house in the Albacin as a great place to stay while exploring Granada, Spain.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great vacation rental

Guest: David and Lori Durkin (San Diego, California)
Date of Stay: 03/17/10 Review Submitted: 10/28/10

In March of 2010, four of my family members spent a week in this delightful townhome visiting my son who was attending the University of Granada on a study abroad program. The townhome itself is multi-level and each level has its charms. The location is perfect in the old part of the City. The views of the Alhambra from the two decks are spectacular. Good restaurants and tapas bars are nearby. You need to be in good walking shape as the hills near the townhome are relatively steep. The owner, Christine, could not have been more helpful. Super highly recommended.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/15/10 Review Submitted: 02/15/10

This is a very charming vertical house with a wonderful location in the Albaycin. The views from several balconies of the rooftops and gardens as well as the Alhambra are very pleasant. Beds are comfy, kitchen is well stocked and the location cannot be beated. We highly recommend this house for your stay in Granada. The welcome service is really friendly, fun and informative. A good choice all around!

Recommended for:

Guest: Michelle S2 (London)
Date of Stay: 02/15/10 Review Submitted: 02/15/10

We had a fabulous time here enjoying a snowy Granada. Sensational views and a great location in the centre of the gorgeous Albacin, but with easy access to great music venues and the best tapas bar in Granada. Christine was incredibly helpful for us non-Spanish speakers - booked taxis and helped us organise skiing as well. We will be back.

Recommended for:

Guest: Becki and Felix (Ridgefield, CT USA)
Date of Stay: 01/07/10 Review Submitted: 01/07/10

We so enjoyed our stay while we visited our daughter studying at U of Granada! As others have mentioned, pre-communication was fabulous, Christine is lovely and incredibly helpful. She gave us a tour of the Albycin and showed us great shops for bread, meats and pastries ( my favorite!) We toured the Alhambra and enjoyed the Generalife gardens and learning about the Arabic influences in its construction as well as in the history of Granada. The house was charming and quirky but in every good way and the views were spectacular! Even in November, we had 55-65 F weather with only one rainy day, which I understand is very unusual. Christine helped with groceries for when we arrived and suggestions for reataurants and places to visit. We would love to return and stay again!! All the best to you and your family in 2010! The Cacciatos

Recommended for:

Guest: Donna Horwath (Denver,Colorado)
Date of Stay: 12/10/09 Review Submitted: 12/10/09

There were 6 of us (21 years old to 74) that stayed in Christine's house. What an amazing house with the best view of the Alhambra,and the Albyzin was so much fun. We enjoyed the Albyzin as much as our visit to the Alhambra. Within a day we were able to find our way around quite easily. The coffee in Plaza Larga was amazing and the Bar Kiki had great food. We were sad to leave even though we were able to stay for a week. I can not begin to say how helpful Christine was. She made our visit the best it could be. We even rented another house of hers in Jimena. Thanks Christine for answering all my numerous questions and for your kind hospitality. We loved Spain and the people.

Recommended for:

Guest: Rob59 (NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/07/09 Review Submitted: 11/07/09

First rate. As others have commented, pre-arrival communication and directions were flawless; the location is perfect, and the house itself is charming. With the three floors, it's a big place for two -- perhaps we'll return someday with friends.

Recommended for:

Guest: Ginger H. (-)
Date of Stay: 10/21/09 Review Submitted: 10/21/09

October 13-19, 2009 We loved our visit! Amazing view from both terraces - hard to read a book because we just wanted to look at The Alhambra in every kind of light. Perfect home in the perfect location. Charming, clean, decorated with local rugs and antiques. Large bathroom, colorful walls, carved doors, and traditional shutters on windows. We walked to everything - lots of plazas, local market, little restaurants (fancy and casual), and bread shop. Bought tickets on line to tour the Alhambra and took the local bus 32 to the palace. Don't miss the free tour of a local painter's house - just a few blocks away and very special inside. Drove to the Alpujarra and had a really good lunch at El Tiede in the town of Bubion. October was supposed to be the rainy month, but we had 12 days of perfect blue skies. Church bells, dogs barking, motorbikes, fresh bread with marmalade, narrow romantic cobblestone streets (well lit and safe at night!), free tapas and good inexpensive wine - this is the genuine local experience we were looking for. Christine and Stik are great and very helpful. What a special place!

Recommended for:

Guest: virginia- (salem)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/08/09

Pre-trip communication from owner was terrific. Excellent directions. From where you can park, it is a good 5 minute walk down to the house, so people with disabilities would be hard done to make it. Location is fantastic; you're 5 minutes from the city centre, and 10 ( depending on your walking speed ) from the Alhambra. The house itself was clean and comfortable and everything necessary was there. The bathroom is on the ground floor, which is a pain to get to in the middle of the night from the master bedroom on the second floor, but that's part of the charm of staying in a typical house in the old part of the city. As well, as in many parts of Europe, the hot water tank is not huge. From the terraces, the views of the Alhambra are tremendous, especially when it is illuminated at night. We had friends who live in Granada over, and they were taking pictures with their cell phones, as the view is really top notch. Overall, I would highly recommend this house for anyone who wants to visit Granada, and even more to someone who is interested in experiencing living in the Albaizin. It was safe and centrally located, and the owners are wonderfully attentive.

Recommended for:

Guest: Lucie1 (Le Havre/France)
Date of Stay: 09/25/09 Review Submitted: 09/25/09

Un superbe endroit où séjourner! ...au coeur du vieux quartier de la ville! Petit déjeuner en terrasse devant l'alhambra qui met de bonne humeur pour toute la journée et superbe comtemplation nocturne de l'alhambra qui est propice aux rêves!Et propriétaires très accueillants et chaleureux!Lucie

Owner response:Merci Lucie ! Nous avons aussi apprecie votre visite. Que grupo de amigos mas simpatico !! Hasta la vista, Christine

Recommended for:

Guest: Virginia 3 (Salem, Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/24/09 Review Submitted: 09/24/09

We spent the week of August 28 to September 4, 2009, at this quirky and wonderful home. The "we" in this case refers to four adults ranging in age from 26 to 62. Each of us found a little corner of the casa to call our own and all of us spent lots of time on one or the other of the two terraces; the views are magnificent! We had originally thought that we would treat ourselves to a dinner at one of the carmens for our last night's dinner. However, after eating on our "large" terrace, we couldn't imagine any place more beautiful to spend that last night. We shopped at the shops on the Plaza Larga, which was a delightful, as well as a delicious, experience. Because we had driven to Granada we had to find a place to park the car, which was a bit of a challenge; but, we managed to find spaces in the Albayzin around the wall every time we returned from an outing. Having a car was sort of a bother but it did enable us to take one great day trip to Monachil and the Alpujarra where we did some great walking. We have no reservations in recommending this property. The location is fantastic and the fittings very comfortable. The stairs might be worrisome for people with small children but for us they replaced the Stairmasters we had left at home.

Owner response:Dear Virginia, Many thanks for your wonderful comments ! We are really glad you liked the house and we hope you'll be back soon ! Saludos de Granada, Christine

Recommended for:

Guest: Dianna6 (Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/12/09 Review Submitted: 09/12/09

Christine Cook is amazing, she helped us with every little question and request we had and she was thoughtful and gracious, she really gave us a more relaxing holiday. The house is 3 floors which makes it great for 3 couples because the rooms are each on a different level and you get your own space. Plus it has the added bonus of plenty of common areas inside and on the patios. We however traveled with 3 very young children. I don't think that the Albyzin is young family friendly, while the house itself was good for the family, I would recommend against bringing a 4 year old 2 year old and 1 year old to the Albyzin (btw. Chris tried to worn us) maybe wait 5 years. The view is fantastic. For us this was a once in a lifetime experience and we are very happy that we did it. Thank you Chris and happy travels to you and your family.

Recommended for:

Guest: Serge5 (Paris)
Date of Stay: 02/14/09 Review Submitted: 02/14/09

"The house is beautiful and perfectly positioned to enjoy Granada and the wonderful views of the Alhambra. Everything is as it is in the pictures only better. The owners were some of the nicest we have met in many weeks of travelling. Overwhelmingly courteous and helpful. We had a wonderful stay and are planning a return trip."

Recommended for:

Guest: kate69 (seattle,washington usa)
Date of Stay: 12/05/08 Review Submitted: 12/05/08

Wow! What a grande villa Chris & Stik have! My husband and I stayed during our month long honeymoon in Andalucia. By far, it was the most sumptuous of accommodations besting the 4 star hotels! The owners were generous, informative and multilingual. The well appointed villa made exploring the Albayzin hard: we did not want to leave our 'home'! The view of the Alhambra from the two(!) terraces is priceless, breathtaking. Seriously, the Parador de Granada has nothing on the Cooks' villa! Don't miss this authentic, spotless and warm stay.

Recommended for:

Guest: Meg, David, and Cassie (Oxford, UK)
Date of Stay: 11/10/08 Review Submitted: 11/10/08

Magnificent and ever-changing views of the Alhambra by day and by night from the spacious upper and lower outside terraces of the house. The neighbourhood's surrounding features of bougainvillea, pomegranate trees, date palms and cypresses and roof-level carmenes all contribute to a sense of quiet in the heart of a unique and ancient urban space. Kitchen, bathroom, dining-room and bedrooms are all comfortable and very well equipped and scrupulously clean. Kind and helpful owners. There is a small food shop five minutes walk away, and within ten minutes' walk downhill through lively streets lined with small shops and cafes and devoid of all traffic except for an occasional motor scooter lie the shops and restaurants of the Plaza Nueva at the city's centre. The atmospheric cave dwellings of the gypsy Sacromonte at roughly the same distance in the opposite direction.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jenny & Nick (Yorkshire, UK)
Date of Stay: 11/05/08 Review Submitted: 11/05/08

Beautiful historic house with amazing view of the Alhambra from the balconies - even better than in the description and stunning at night. In the heart of the atmospheric Albacyin but just a short walk to the City. Perfect

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/04/08 Review Submitted: 11/04/08

We had a lovely time in Granada and the location was ideal for sightseeing and exploring Albayzin and its restaurants, or lazing on the balcony admiring the view. The house was well equipped and comfortable, but only one toilet and 6 adults required some negotiation.

Recommended for:

Guest: Gusau (Australia)
Date of Stay: 11/03/08 Review Submitted: 11/02/08

Highly recomended. We loved staying here. Perfect position, wonderful house with incredible views and lovely owners who shared their tips on what to do in Granda.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/30/08 Review Submitted: 10/30/08

The house was even more stunning than the photos and description prepared us for. Beautifully restored original features and furnishings througout and the perfect location for easy walking into the city or out to the Albacyin and Sacromento. The only problem was it was motivating ourselves to go out and explore as it meant leaving the beautiful house and balcony!

Recommended for: