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Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena

Spain,Sant Joan de Labritja

"A romantic and tranquil oasis perched above a scenic bay, this boutique hotel lies just outside Ibiza Town."

From EUR 280.00 Read review

Palacio Ca Sa Galesa

Spain,Palma

"A boutique hotel with a history, boasting original 16th-century features, antique furnishings and a location near Palma's cathedral."

From EUR 230.00 Read review

Europe > Spain > Andalucia > Granada > Articles > Casa del Capitel Nazarí

Casa del Capitel Nazarí

by Brendan Sainsbury

Nazarí-styled nirvana stuffed full with quirky Moorish antiques

La Sacristia

Spain,Tarifa

"A bohemian designer townhouse hotel of just ten rooms, simple, laid-back and located in the charming Old Town of Tarifa."

From EUR 115.00 Read review

Palacio San Benito

Spain,Cazalla de la Sierra

"An alluring bed and breakfast with an eye for the dramatic, Palacio San Benito is grandly furnished with lots of personality."

From EUR 130.00 Read review

Fountainhead

Spain,Riogordo

"Eclectically themed rooms in a characterful, peaceful retreat in the hills; the perfect rural retreat in Riogordo."

From EUR 100.00 Read review

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.

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!

Rooms
The Casa boasts 17 smallish 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 €100 mark it is perhaps one of the best bargains in town.