Plaza Colon
Overlooking Granada's Parque Colon (also known as Parque Central), Hotel Plaza Colon is an elegant building which has been restored to its original Colonial style.
The external courtyards and balconies overlook the park and the Cathedral, which is one of the most prominent buildings in the city. The swimming pool is located in the courtyard where guests can relax after a day exploring all that this historical city has to offer.
Each of the large rooms is tastefully decorated, and we highly recommend a room with a balcony overlooking the Parque Colon and cathedral. Unlike student town Leon, Granada is pretty quiet at night so there shouldn't be any late night shenanigans involving statues and traffic cones going on outside your window.
Why We Love It
Even non-Spanish speakers might deduce that 'El Bar' is the hotel's bar, and the barman makes a mean Macau - Nicaragua's national cocktail, made of one part white rum, one part guava juice, a little ice and sugar and some lemon juice.
El Convento
In a central location next to San Francisco's church (one of many, many in the city), Hotel El Convento was the first convent in Leon, and the bedrooms and corridors are filled with antiques that really enhance the traditional feel.
There are 32 spacious guest rooms in total, which surround a large and beautifully landscaped courtyard garden filled with bougainvillea and other flowers, manicured hedges and a central fountain.
The hotel has its own restaurant, El Victoriano, which is one of the nicest in the city, but please note there is no swimming pool at this property.
Why We Love It
After a day's exploration of the city, make time to sit in the lovely courtyard gardens watching beautiful humming birds feeding on the many flowers.
La Gran Francia
A small hotel with great character, located just off the main square of the historic colonial city of Granada.
The attractive building is a typical example of Nicaraguan colonial architecture and was thoroughly restored in the 1990s. The hotel has comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, all of which have broadband internet access. Balconies with wrought iron railings overlook the interior patio, which contains a small swimming pool.
The hotel also has a good restaurant and two bars, which are housed in a separate building just across the street.
La Gran Francia makes an ideal base for exploring Granada, as well as other local attractions including the cloud forest of the nearby Mombacho volcano, the famous markets at Masaya and the archipelagos of Lake Nicaragua.
Why We Love It
The building was once the home of the French Duke of Praslin - hence its name.
Jicaro Island Lodge
Jicaro Island Lodge is located on eponymous and tiny Jicaro Island located at the Isletas of Granada, a 10 minute boat ride from Granada city.
All of its nine casitas are strategically located around the island with breathtaking views of the lake. There's a fresh water pool, several terraces, an open kitchen next to the restaurant as well as a yoga platform and a spa.
The casitas are maisonette in style, upstairs there's a private bedroom with a king size bed with large open screen windows with wonderful views of the lake. Downstairs there's the bathroom as well as a spacious living area that leads to the outside deck with an oversized hammock to sit and relax. The Casitas have no air conditioning, just fans but as the temperatures drops at night (being so close to the lake).
During the day, you can either sit and relax by the pool, pamper yourself with any of spa's natural spa treatments, practice yoga, or be more active and participate in any of the daily tours, including a sunrise or sunset kayaking trip, a trek to the Caldera Natural Forest, kayaking all the way to the Mombacho natural hot springs, visits to the Cacao and Plantain plantations, or a Granada City tour to experience the history of this colonial town established in 1524.
Why We Love It
The lodge was built with local materials, mostly Rainforest Alliance certified wood and natural stones from the Isletas so the whole concept blends perfectly with its surroundings.