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Posada Doña Lupe

Granada

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Category
Hotel
Address
Avda. Generalife, Granada Andalusia, Spain   Map
Price
Location/Contact
Details
Posada Doña Lupe Online Booking
Arrival Date:   Nights:  People: 
Their Description

Features

  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Travel information provided
  • Swimming Pool
  • Bar
  • Free Breakfast
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • Elevator/Lift
  • Lounge / Common space
 
The Hostelz.com Review
Posada Doña Lupe claims to be right next to the entrance to the Alhambra. While technically true, be advised that they are referring to the "new" entrance to the Alhambra, which is at the top of a huge hill. So while it is very convenient for going to the Alhambra, it is a bit of hike to the city and when coming back at night you have to walk about ten minutes, all uphill. So be forewarned.

That having been said, generally speaking this hostel provides a pretty good value. The single rooms are very cheap, and private rooms, while slightly more expensive, are still very affordable. The only problem with shared rooms is that there are no lockers or other ways to secure property. Each night's stay comes with a complimentary "breakfast" of coffee or another beverage and a pastry. Sheets and towels are thin, but serviceable and if you ask for more towels they give them to you.

In the lobby there is a computer with free internet access during normal business hours for brief use. There is also a small café, vending machines outside, and prepared sandwiches and bottled drinks for sale inside. There are tables downstairs near the café for eating or hanging out -- the "dining area" is the only public space in the hostel. The hostel has a roof terrace with a decent view of the city (which you can see in the last picture) and a pool. The pool is not heated, but most days in Granada the weather is so hot that a cold pool would be preferable to a heated one anyway. The building is not well lit and a bit dreary. It may not be cheerful, but the good thing about it is that it is not loud or rowdy either, so if you're looking for a good night's sleep, you'll find it here.

Taxis and buses are both very simple ways to arrive, and if you split a taxi between three people it is almost as cheap as taking a bus. Unless you're really tired of walking up hill, there's no reason to take the bus between the center of city and the hostel, but it does exist when needed.

All in all, this hostel is a good value. It's bare, but inexpensive and thus a good deal for the traveler on a budget.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2005


Ratings & Comments

2 Average from 11 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Bernhard, Austria
May 2007
1 We got a double (size about six square meters, toilet and shower included). On the first day the chain to flush the toilet broke. They told us that they couldn't help and that we should try to get a bucket. The old guy appears unbelievably unfriendly, but by being as polite and friendly as possible to him, you can break the ice.
Comment by Sarah
September 2006
1 If I could give this place no stars I would. It is a horrible place! If you are lucky enough to get a room in the main building, it may well be a passable enough budget hotel. Unfortunately, despite seeing empty rooms everyday on my way to the rooftop terrace, I was lumbered with an outside room in the middle of a building site attached to the hostel proper. I was choking every night from the dust and my room was filthy. I had to keep the window closed all the time too to keep the dust out, so it was unpleasantly hot. Mind you, I probably wouldn't have wanted to look out the window at the piles of rubble and rubbish anyway. It was ensuite, but this is an alcove (no door) with a tiny shower behind the toilet -- you have to be very careful not to slip as you step over the toilet after you've showered. The common area is more like a jumble room, the vending machines are all broken or empty, breakfast is sticky pastries and coffee or go hungry, and laundry?, the pool looked dangerous, almost as much so as the broken steps leading up to the roof. I spoke to the Tourist Office of Granada and apparently they have loads of complaints about this place -- they wouldn't recommend it themselves. They told me to ask the hostel reception for an official complaints form. Big mistake! The woman, Victoria, went ballistic! After calling me stupid, telling me it wasn't her problem that I was unhappy and all sorts, she told me I was entirely to blame for not asking for my room to be cleaned/for new toilet roll/bed linen/another room. Even considering that you would think this kind of thing would be done by hostel staff as a given, I had asked -- its just that the crazy old dude on the door told me he was the owner and that he couldn't understand what I was saying. Its all a bit surreal, but not as surreal as reading those positive reviews on this website. Surely they were staying at a different hostel? This place could be great, when the work is finished, the place is cleaned and the reception staff get a major attitude overhaul. This just isn't the case right now.
Comment by Caroline
May 2006
5 I was there last summer and spend a week there. Yes, the hallway was stuffed with old vending machines and whatsoever. I call it character. it might not be the cleanest place, but who cares? I spent a great week there, on the rooftop, in the swimmingpool over looking the city and watching fireworks. the breakfast will last you at least three days if you eat it all! it definitely beats staying in some brand-new, picture perfect place!
Comment by Will
May 2006
5 I have stayed at Dona Lupe on several occasions. In fact I never stay anywhere else in Granada. I stay with my partner and three-year-old daughter and I'm quite happy to recommend this to any other families needing budget accomodation in Granada. Lets be clear, this is a budget option and has its quirks because of that. The hotel is a bit rough around the edges but the rooms are always clean and the two maids who work there are friendly and forthcoming with new clean towels and loo roll if you ask politely. If you have travelled round the world, then this is by no means near one of the worst places you will stay in, just try and see the funny side (wet floors when you take a shower -- who cares! The water is hot and the full pressure gives you a nice massage!). Try and get a room at the front of the building with one of the private balconies if you fancy a treat. They are a bit more but worth it, you could comfortably live in one of those full time. Victoria (one of the owners) is absolutely charming, speaks very good English and is extremely helpful. I have never found any of the people who work there to be rude or aggressive, in fact the opposite. Miguel, the old gentleman who looks after the door and serves coffee is a grumpy old boy but he is just a character, quite harmless, and obviously has a few tales to tell, again, try and see the funny side and you will leave with a fun memory of him! You have to meet him to believe him. The breakfast they serve is always fresh and Victoria makes a point of buying Lavazza Espresso coffee which is about as strong as anything this side of illegal gets. Have a couple of shots of that in the morning and you will be jabbering like a monkey for the rest of the day, doesn't rot your septum either. The roof terrace is absolutely fantastic. Huge and quiet with sun loungers and a shady area for kids. The position, right near the main entrance to the Alhambra cannot be beaten unless you want to pay mega dineros for a three, four or five star option of which there are plenty right next door on either side.
Comment by Anna (march 2006)
March 2006
1 Unfortunately I read the comments of this website after the stay. The hostel is a mess, looks like a room where they place old stuff, from furniture to food machine with food dating from 2004 in it! When going to the room the corridors and stairs were really dusty, they were fixing the rooms and work material was everywere. They started working in the early morning and besides the noise of the machinery you could hear them shouting all the time. Really noisy place. The room was dusty as well from the working man and smelled rotten; and the floor was quite "hairy". However i have to addmit that the bathroom looked clean. Although after taking a shower was water in all over the bathroom and as a consequence in the room as well... They only have hot water from 8 to 12 and from 20 to 24. The breakfast... was served by a grumpy old man. He only allowed you to take one piece, although the croissant were quite big and from at least two days ago..... The terrace and the pool I never saw them, the door was well locked. The security? where? no security at all, the door all time opened (which help to understand why it was so cold inside), during the night you could find the man liying down on two chairs, covered with blankets and with a deep sleep. If you look for a nice, clean place to rest forget it. The positive thing is that have free internet (1 computer) and that it is really cheap.
Comment by Gijs
September 2005
4 I only checked out this Web site with reviews for Dona Lupe after having actually stayed here, and was surprised by the negative comments! I only stayed for one night in a private room with my girlfriend, but experienced none of the problems described earlier. I had noted during my stay how clean my room was, both the bathroom and the private room itself. The roof terrace was nice, especially since it included a nice 6m x 6m pool. The staff were friendly when I ran into them, but I must admit that was not often. The old guy serving "breakfast" in the morning was definitely from a different planet, that's true, but that did not bother me at all. If I had read the comments about Dona Lupe beforehand, I might not have booked a room there. I'm glad I did however.
Comment by Daniela
August 2005
1 What a horrible experience. When I arrived there, I met a girl in my room who was sprinkled with bites all over her body. The night was a nightmare: bedbugs all over my body (when I switched on the light I saw about 10 of them running over my duvet) and now I look the same as the girl — like an outcast. The owner was very sorry and gave me a bottle of water for free and the next day they were spraying insecticides the whole day. I'm sorry to write all this as the owner is nice, but it was/is really traumatic for me.
Comment by Chooch
June 2005
1 I stayed here in spring 2005. Jose seems ok but his daughter Victoria is a wee bit strange and aggressive. Miguel the old man factotum is obviously a brother from another planet. I was worried about security, which is almost non-existent. Has anyone stayed here in winter — do they have heating in the rooms?
Comment by Anonymous
April 2005
1 This place is a disgrace! The staff are so damn rude it is unbelievable. It's dirty, cold, and none of the features listed were available. Avoid!
Comment by Anonymous
February 2005
1 I had the following problems at Backpackers Posada Dona Lupe Alhamba, Granada, Spain: 1. There were no lights in the hallway. 2. Building materials blocked the only door into and out of the room, which is a fire hazard. 3. There was water on the bathroom floor all the time, near electrical outlets. 4. Lights were turned off at night. 5. It was very cold all the time when I was there. 6. Poor security — someone tried to get into my room when I was in it. 7. The manager, Victoria, would not give me refund form, when I asked for it. 8. All the staff members swore and cursed at me and also threatened me.
Comment by Anonymous
February 2005
1 This is the worst, most unfriendly, dirtiest hostel I have ever stayed in. Not one of the features listed on their advert was available when I stayed there! Beware of arriving to be confronted by an old man who seems to look after the place, speaks ancient Spanish and communicates by shouting at you. It is ancient and badly run down. Avoid it at all costs!
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