The Best Hotels in Granada, Nicaragua

If you need more cobblestones, they have them in some of the showers at this elegant hotel, a block from the central plaza and iconic mustard-yellow cathedral. Walls are painted in arty pastels, floors feature checkerboard tiles, and rooms are simple but spacious. An upper terrace has a hammock with a view over the red roof tiles. The main attraction is the large shaded pool in a palm-fringed patio, a blissful escape from the mid-day scorchers.

Named after Nicaragua’s most famous poet, Rubén Darío, this baroque hotel is in the heart of the action on La Calzada. Rooms with balconies at the front have views of the street life below, the cathedral, the volcano and the lake but can get noisy at weekends. For a quieter night, choose a room overlooking the lush gardens of the central patio. A plunge pool tucked in an inner courtyard is a lifesaver when temperatures soar.

One of the most popular hotels in Granada, and perfectly positioned on the central plaza across from the cathedral, this neocolonial mansion is tastefully decked with a mixture of dark antique furnishings and bright splashes of contemporary art. The comfortable rooms are fresh and uncluttered, and breakfasts are served in a shaded patio. The swimming pool, flanked on both sides by tall palms, is long enough for laps.

Welcome to fashionista heaven. Beloved by magazine editors, this trendy boho bolthole was cooked up by New York restaurateurs Jean-Marc Houmard and Yvan Cussigh as a chic home from home. There are four-poster loungers arranged around the plunge pool in a palm-filled central patio, and the rooms are decorated with a funky mix of tribal art, loud modern paintings and antique curios. Away from the main drag on a quiet street, this is a place to escape and dream.

A place to practice your yoga moves, this boutique hotel in a modern Spanish colonial-style building is tucked away a few blocks from La Calzada. Rooms are decorated with local handicrafts, and five come with a kitchen. You can get a massage, have a spa treatment or splash about in the plunge pool. The health-conscious ethos extends to the breakfasts, made with organic ingredients from the area.

On a corner opposite the chunky bell tower of the Iglesia La Merced, this classic Granada mansion offers luxury at an affordable price. Original features include a swooping staircase in pink marble and an open-air pool that takes up almost the whole inner patio. Simple but elegant rooms have tiled floors, large comfy beds and a coffee maker stocked with premium local beans. Balcony rooms look over to the church and up to the forested heights of Mombacho.

Across from the Museo Convento San Francisco, this airy bed and breakfast is close to all the central attractions and tastefully decorated with bright Nicaraguan paintings. Rooms have high ceilings and cool floor tiles, and ensuites are large. The central pool makes the most of the patio space for a refreshing wake-me-up on hot afternoons. A kitchen open to guests is a bonus if you’re on a budget, and staff is helpful.

With lush tropical gardens, a patio with a kidney-shaped swimming pool, and another with a fountain, this stylish colonial house is tastefully decorated throughout. The best rooms have large beds, hand-painted floor tiles and high ceilings. Breakfast is included, with eggs cooked to order and Nica staples such as gallo pinto (rice and beans). On a quiet street within easy walking distance of both the central plaza and the lakeshore port, it makes a tranquil base for exploring the city.

Featuring bright, modern interiors, funky furniture and string lights, the Selina stands out from its traditional colonial hotel neighbors and is squarely aimed at hipsters seeking a photo-worthy vacation and digital nomads looking for long stays and comfortable co-working spaces. As in other Selina properties across Latin America, there is a mix of millennial-friendly dorm rooms and private suites, with shared kitchen facilities and a hang-out area by the pool. Located on the central plaza, it has a young, fun vibe.

You can relax by the pool or swing in a hammock as you plan your next move at this restored colonial house. A short walk from the cathedral, it has simple but comfortable rooms with high ceilings and tiled floors. Climb the stairs to an upper balcony for views of the Mombacho volcano. Cooked breakfasts are generous, with Nicaraguan staples and a selection of exotic tropical fruits.

Just a block from the busy bars and restaurants of La Calzada, this affordable, family-friendly hotel has two stories of rooms around a v-shaped pool and a leafy garden. Rooms are simple but spotless, and an upper terrace has atmospheric views over the roofs to the dome and towers of the cathedral, especially when it is illuminated at night.