Review of Casa del Capitel Nazari, by Brendan Sainsbury

Hidden amongst a cluster of similarly priced old-town hotels in the Albaicín quarter, the Casa del Capitel Nazarí stands apart from its closest competitors thanks primarily to a treasure trove of quirky historical myths. Every wall, column or overhanging beam inside this little oasis of calm in the city seems to tell of a different story. Arrive late in the afternoon and - if you're lucky - you'll get a fully guided tour.

Built in 1503 in a synthesis of Moorish and Renaissance styles the Casa's owners have gone to extraordinary lengths in order to preserve the house's unique history for posterity. Examples abound. In the first of three small interconnecting patios an ancient column dating from 827AD still props up the ceiling whilst elsewhere ornate Nazarí capitals (from which the hotel takes its name) compete with an old renaissance well and a ceiling punctuated with star-shaped roof lights carved out in the manner of an Arabian bath-house.

The facilities

Guests can relax in comfort in a communal TV room amongst a small library of paperbacks or enjoy a buffet breakfast and/or complimentary afternoon coffee and tea in an adjoining café area. Rouse one of the congenial staff and, chances are, they give you a potted history lesson, or a deluge of home décor ideas - or both.

First-time visitors should be sure not to miss the art displays that adorn the walls in almost every room. Rather ingeniously much of the hotel doubles up as a private exhibition gallery showing off locally produced photographs, paintings and sculpture which are subsequently auctioned off to interested clients and/or guests. Displays are rotated every week or so and they're not half bad either!

The rooms

The Casa boasts 17 bedrooms scattered across three inner patios, all fully equipped with en suite bathrooms (showers only), TVs and internet connections. Pleasant furnishings are often antique and with prices hovering just under the EUR 100 mark it is perhaps one of the best bargains in town.