We really enjoyed the Gran Melia.I really wish I had taken some pics but figured it didn't cut the mustard as a "luxury" hotel.... after reflecting on our stay it definitely ticked all the boxes for me.. Service was very solid- Red Level that is.. not really sure about the rest of the hotel but we really felt taken care of there (i.e. when I tried to ask where to get stamps to mail postcards back home, they offered to do it for me; no charge)... Red Level had good food and drink offerings throughout the day.. but what I really liked was our room- we were in the Penthouse suite (how pretentious sounding, but they even have a presidential penthouse suite I think). Room was quite nice, Clarins products in the bathroom. I really like the white/black color combination. The real shining star was the terrace and hot tub... what a great amenity.. we had many a bottle of champagne out there after a long day of walking around...

I agree with your thoughts re: the Alfonso.. rooms seemed to have a bath/shower combo, small and dark as well.. didn't seem to have the value for the money (even though I had star points available as well, I didn't like the value ratio there either)... I really wanted some sort of outdoor space which it lacked as well (unless I really went up in suites...)

We really really liked Seville, I would not reduce it to a day trip. great food and drink there.. we did a food tour which was fun... Cordoba we did as a day trip from there because of the ease of getting to (high speed train).. I'm not sure if the high speed line is running to Granada yet....

I hope you like Andalucia.. I wasn't too excited to visit at first (wife's idea) but looking back it was a great trip

FDW