I’m sure that when many of you think of me and hotel recommendations in Spain, you probably assume I’m going to mention another Parador. While I do love my Paradores, I also have a few other favorites. On my recent trip to Córdoba, Spain for the FLORA festival (highly recommended as well – more info on that below), I was very pleased to be hosted at the NH Collection Palacio de Córdoba. It was still under renovation during my stay – even the name was different (the Amistad Córdoba at that time) – but you’ll now find it completed and very well located in Córdoba’s UNESCO-listed Jewish quarter. That location is what makes this hotel so ideal for a photo-oriented visit. You’re right in the heart of the old city and can get anywhere you want on foot very quickly. You may get lost from time to time in the narrow, winding alleys, but that only leads to wonderful discoveries.
My visit last October started with a brief tour of the hotel, including its uniquely shaped pool. My room was extremely comfortable and I enjoyed one of the best lunches of this trip in the hotel’s restaurant.
Being in the old Jewish quarter puts you right next door to several attractions and a pleasant, if serpentine, walk from most of Córdoba’s major attractions. The main entrance opens immediately onto this small plaza, shared with the Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba. The photo opportunities truly begin at your doorstep.
Looking back out at the Plaza Maimónides from the gate that leads to the bullfighting museum. The entrance to the hotel is just to the right, on this very same plaza.
A view from the same spot, looking the opposite direction. Here you can see the entrance to the bullfighting museum.
Just up the street past the museum, you come to the statue of Maimónides, a philosopher, theologian & doctor who was born in Córdoba in the 12th century.
A bit further up the street, you come to the medieval Córdoba Synagogue.
A short walk down a narrow street on the other side of the bullfighting museum will bring to to another small plaza, Plaza Del Cardenal Salazar. From here you can already see the bell tower of the Mezquita, showing just how close the hotel is to the most visited parts of Córdoba.
Additional posts will show more of my experiences in Córdoba. As mentioned above, the purpose of this trip was to experience the FLORA festival held each October. You can see and learn more about the festival in a photo essay I did for Side of Culture here, but I’ll also drop a few photos of the exhibitions below. In short, the festival builds on the tradition of flower-covered patios in Córdoba by inviting five floral artists to decorate five public spaces using all organic materials. It’s truly something to behold, and not to be missed if you have the chance.
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