El Ladron de Agua occupies a former home of 16th-century Christian nobility, tucked away on a quiet, cobblestone street along the River Darro. The Spanish poet, Juan Ramon Jimenez, inspired a large mural depicting the four seasons of Granada, found on the hotel's facade. Inside, rooms are named after poems and plays, and the cozy library holds an original edition of a book of Jimenez's poetry. The property is designed in Moorish style, centering around a beautiful interior courtyard with white marble floors and colonnades, and a marble fountain that emits the soothing sound of flowing water. Guests -- often couples or single travelers -- tend to gather in the library in the late afternoon for free sherry, olives, and potato chips. The library is a colorful and cozy space, with blue bookshelves and plush magenta armchairs, exposed wood beams, terracotta tile floors, and numerous framed paintings and drawings decorating the white walls. The hotel also hosts monthly art exhibits, displaying new works by regional artists on the walls of the courtyard. 

This boutique is in the Albaicin district, also known as the Muslim Quarter, known for its cobblestone streets and charming 15th- and 16th-century architecture. Plaza del Salvador, with its 16th-century church, Colegiata del Salvado, is a 15-minute walk away. The neighborhood also offers many restaurants and cafes where guests can enjoy tapas -- including around the Placeta de San Miguel Bajo, within a 10-minute walk. Views uphill are of the Alhambra, which guests can reach on foot in about 20 minutes. The lively Plaza Nueva is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. The airport is a 25-minute drive away. 

Rooms and suites at El Ladron de Agua are named after poems and plays, and many have lines of poetry written on the walls, or framed original artwork. Each room is individually decorated, but all have a Moorish style, with oriental rugs, terracotta floors, and exposed, dark wood ceiling beams. All rooms have desks, safes, LED bedside lamps, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, lighted makeup mirrors, and free bottled water. Bathrooms have heavy wood doors, colorful tilework, and showers or shower/tub combos stocked with Molton Brown products. Superior Rooms have views of the River Darro or neighborhood below, while Deluxe Rooms look upon the river or Alhambra. Deluxe Plus Suites have extra space for three people, and the Generalife Suite has a private balcony with Alhambra views. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

Free sherry, olives, and chips are served each afternoon in the cozy library, offering a nice opportunity for guests to mingle. The hotel serves a buffet breakfast daily, for a fee, with omelets, ham, fresh breads and pastries, fruits, juice, and coffee drinks in a pretty cafe with teal banquette seating and high ceilings. The central courtyard displays monthly exhibits of sculpture or paintings by regional artists. There's a PC computer for guests in the library, which has guidebooks in different languages and a book-swap. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.