La Islita Boutique Hotel, Granada

A complimentary cocktail on arrival is always a good start in my book and that was just the first of many delights experienced during our stay. Our room was very spacious and tastefully decorated and had flat screen TV with cable, beautiful ceiling fans, AC and hot water on demand and the sheets were Egyptian cotton! We also benefited from a balcony that overlooked the courtyard and fountain area. The property, despite being a new build, has been constructed in old Spanish Colonial Style and many of the materials have been salvaged from other properties and re-incarnated in La Islita. It's good to see a business that respects the environment and both myself and my partner were equally impressed with all the local artisan craftmanship that has also gone into making this stylish Boutique Hotel what it is. The floor tile runs throughout the property and is in itself a visual delight. Wrought iron work features in the form or staircases (one spiral), an atrium over the foyer and balconies. All the doors and woodwork are also handcrafted. Take a moment to admire the tables and benches in reception. Beautiful. The weather was stiffling in April and we were thankful of the shade provided by the huge Mango tree in the centre of the property and the breeze from the lake. Both made the place feel very cool and so eating breakfast (included in price) outside near the fountain was wonderful. The same could be said for late afternoon. There were many things to do in the area and we were never short of suggestions from both owners and staff. Their local knowledge ensured we got the best deals. We opted for the canopy tour on Mombacho Volcano that included an optional zip lining experience (huge fun and highly recommended), a day trip to Catarina which provided breath taking views of Laguna de Apoyo, a boat tour of 'Las Isletas', the volcanic islands on Cocibolca Lake and a trip to Masaya market which I have to say was an experience in itself. Not for the faint-hearted. There was of course the usual artisan craft stalls but be prepared to haggle. I got some good deals but I had to work for them! Granada, despite its lively vibe and busy restaurants and bars on 'La Calzada' (2 blocks away from the hotel) has a sedate, unhurried feel to it. There is an abundance of churches to amble around if the Cathedral, Granada's most prominent landmark doesn't satisfy. There are also many women's cooperatives selling artisan crafts and one of the best finds was Momotombo Chocolate. A tad pricey at $6 for nine chocolates but worth every single penny. I don't have anything negative to say about this hotel. It was a fantastic find, great value for money, really clean and a truly stylish and tranquil oasis just a stone's throw away from the heart of the city. I have already booked my next trip there at the end of 2009. Would definitely recommend! 5 Stars