Grenada has been found by the mainstream tourists. The town is well preserved but does not have the charm or authenticity of Leon, which we had just left. The main street is packed with tourist restaurants, most with a "grabber" outside, intent on trying to lure you in to his patch. After the first dozen of these approaches , one really does come a bit jaded.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hotel Los Patios
9.6 On Booking.com and on TripAdvisor 5 Rooms Located in the centre of Granada, Los Patios Hotel Granada is a stylish hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, spa and gym. Los Patios Hotel Granada combines colonial and bright, modern décor. Guests can enjoy a drink on one of the patios. The spa offers treatments including massage, facials and manicures.
Set up by a Danish lady, who still owns it, but has returned to Denmark. Her absence probably explains the curious welcome we received here. The facts were, we arrived at midday, the room was ready then, but check in was in the rules at 2pm. They made us sit with our luggage for over an hour as we were early.
We could see the room from our point of exile, and knew that it had been already cleaned and nobody entered it from the staff during our wait. There was no reason why we could not have been shown to the room, apart from their own "rules" It illustrates what happens when unsupervised staff run a lovely hotel like this - they do not know how and when to exercise common sense. I so hope that a proper manager can be installed here before the whole lovely thing unravels. It really deserves a good manager
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
El Marlin Restaurant
This is at the quieter end of the main street. You can eat here without the hassle of a minder on the door thrusting a menu into your face, as you get at the busier end of the street. It is perhaps a bit odd that I remark on this lack of pushiness as one of the main reasons for eating here - and perhaps that is a reflection on how "touristy" Granada is today.
Our lobster was at a remarkably low price by European standards, but was spoilt by being overcooked and therefore rubbery. Our meal was fine, service was fine, but I was not motivated enough to go back another night. Something was missing, I am not sure if it was an ambience a little flat, or the lobster a little overcooked.
 |
 |
El Zaguan Restaurant
Although hidden away round the back of the cathedral, this restaurant is very popular. So there is quite a buzz to the place. Tables are turned over quite rapidly, and by European standards dinner was served too quickly as they strove to turn your table over. I liked the atmosphere, which, although touristy, did not feel touristy.
The food was standard tourist fare, which was what I would have expected. The service was fine, if a little rapid. I would eat there again, as many of the alternatives on the main drag are to be avoided as they pester you to enter.
 |
 |
Then an hour or so along the lake to catch the ferry to Ometepe Island