Comment from Chiny
Time: August 30, 2007, 8:37 am

Cadiz… obviously not a beautiful castle but an excellent location, better than those nasty blocks on the Eastern approach to Cadiz.

Overpriced ? My opinion is that Paradors are not worth the money but that is because I prefer the smaller, more personal hotels in a quiet, city centre position.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ for more opinions.

Comment from Tim
Time: August 30, 2007, 9:08 am

The Hostal de San Marcos in León is well worth it, and the one on La Gomera is very relaxing (though up a steep hill from the town below - which gives lovely views, but may make your legs ache).
The one in Tui was a nice little place, but we were only there overnight so didn’t get to enjoy it and the surrounds fully (though you can walk along to the bridge which crosses the river forming the frontier between Spain and Portugal - good views, and a lovely church).
The one in Salamanca is modern and, when we were there about 3 years ago, was looking very tired.
Although we did’t stay there, the one in Ciudad Rodrigo looked very nice (again with excellent views), though I’m not sure there’s enough in the town itself to keep you interested for more than a couple of days (it’s only a little town).
What I’ve liked about all the Paradors we’ve stayed in (though obviously I can’t speak for all Paradors), is that staff are really friendly, the restaurants have been excellent, and the rooms have been spacious and well-equipped.
I think they’re great.

Comment from Andrew
Time: August 30, 2007, 11:43 am

Paradors are not for the back-packing bargain hunters but I think they are usually good value and 130 euros during the summer is not expensive.

I can add my recent experience:

1) Cadiz - hotel was disastrous, chaotic, amateurish. Never, ever again!

2) Salamanca - Poor location but good views over the city make up for it. Bit too modern and not in keeping with the beauty of historic Salamanca. Good service though. Lovely city. Not the best hotel in town.

3) Jaén - wonderful views. Lovely rooms. Great walks. Top service. Nice restaurant. Good value. People watch on a Sunday afternoon when the locals drop by to have a drink and a stroll. Do go!

Comment from María
Time: August 30, 2007, 1:06 pm

I’d kill to stay in the one on La Gomera :D.

I personally think the locations and buildings are the main points; they try to promote them as great restaurants as well, but I strongly disagree…

Not aimed to spam Ben and Marina, I suggest you to check the locations in Google Earth if you have it installed: Paradores in Google EarthAaahhhhh La Gomeeraaa Please take me there

-I hope this do html, if not, sorry for the messy look-

Comment from Tim
Time: August 30, 2007, 1:37 pm

I forgot to mention Zamora. A really lovely building in the old town.

Comment from Graeme
Time: August 30, 2007, 2:11 pm

Zafra and Oropesa - both castles. The one in Cuenca is also in a very nice building. Teruel has been the poorest quality Parador I have been in, Segovia is nothing special as a building but has stunning views of the city. I also thought Ciudad Rodrigo one was nice, we ate there but didn’t stay; the food in the restaurant, as is the case with several Paradores, was nothing special.

Comment from parubin
Time: August 30, 2007, 3:00 pm

@ Chiny : Paradores are always (or most of the times) small hotels with big personality, suberb regional cuisine in great locations.

I personally love the “Parador de Gil Blas” in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria. That Parador is in a beautiful cantabrian stone house from the s.XVII century and the location is perfect. It doesn´t get much better than Santillana and its surroundings in Cantabria for countryside beauty or regional gastronomy.

Parador Cruz de Tejeda in the centre of Gran Canaria Island is also beautiful and worth a visit, far apart from the typical beach-side resorts of the Canarian Coasts.

Comment from Enrique
Time: August 30, 2007, 3:10 pm

Back when the $ was worth something, my wife and I traipsed out of the Portugese hills, scruffy and backpacked, and made an unreserved stop at the Parador in Ciudad Rodrigo. Only the suite, in the castle’s circular tower, was available. She liked it so much we stayed for two nights, enjoying the lovely church and cloisters, kids playing in the Plaza Mayor, tapas at a handful of bars, and walks along the old town’s walls by moonlight.

Comment from Lesley
Time: August 30, 2007, 3:56 pm

I’d say that the parador in Olite is definitely worth missing, especially if they put you in the new, modern wing.

Comment from Jill
Time: August 30, 2007, 5:24 pm

Paradores are the wrinklies delight - 33% off! We use them a lot. As “Amigos de Paradores” we qualify for free nights, free parking and even a free drink. Oh the joys of being retired.

Comment from David
Time: August 30, 2007, 7:50 pm

Spain is most definitely on my list of places to go. I’ve bookmarked this page for future reference. Thanks.

Comment from Katie
Time: August 30, 2007, 11:34 pm

as i’m generally a pensión and/or tent person the one night i spent in the hostal de san marcos in león seemed pretty luxurious–the building is gorgeous and the room was very comfortable. our favorite part, though, was the breakfast buffet! a true spread.

my parents and i were intrigued by a parador we stumbled across in the cañón del río sil (near ourense)–it’s called san estevo and is quite off the beaten track. a year ago it was just about to open, and i’m wondering if anyone’s stayed there…

Comment from Pamela
Time: August 31, 2007, 6:13 am

I have stayed in Parador on La Gomera (so, Maria, kill me!) and it was worth whatever price they wanted.

The rooms are not luxurious, but rustic, with the added bonus of opening out onto a wonderful cool patio. The building is new, I believe (well, 1970s), but there is the smell of the old wood that was used that makes you think you are in a real colonial style house of the 16th Century. There are antiques everywhere, the service is very welcoming and homely and, they serve THE best ever breakfast in the entire world!

When I stayed there, breakfast was served on a long buffet, starting with fruit juices and cereals, went through cooked items recognizable to Anglo-Americans (but so delicately presented and upmarket) then on to an enormous selection of breads, meats and cheeses, croissants, Danish pastries … They didn’t seem to mind how many times you went back for more either!

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: August 31, 2007, 2:35 pm

Anybody stay at Cardona, a parador about 100 km away from Barcelona and Vic?

Comment from dave
Time: September 4, 2007, 5:03 am

My wife and I have stayed in three: Santiago de Compostela, Cordoba, and Plasencia.

Santiago de Compostela was great. I remember having to fork over some money to supplement our 5 night card, but it was such a good experience we didn’t mind.

Plasencia was a very nice hotel with a good but not great restaurant. We stopped here while driving north on a whim. We took advantage of the lack of any real tourism draws to relax by the pool and “pasear” with the locals. I also received a parking ticket and was then promptly waved away by the police when I tried to take care of it. Nothing ever came of it. Makes for a good story.

Cordoba’s Parador is a modern decent hotel. Nice pool, but then the Arab baths near the Mezquita blew it away on the relaxation scale. I’m not sure I would stay here again. If we were to purchase another 5 night card, we’d likely save it for another Parador.

Comment from Culebronchris
Time: September 4, 2007, 12:34 pm

We had a meal in the Parador in Ciudad Rodrigo (it’s a castle) on Saturday. It was the usual mix of a bit disappointing and absolutely splendid. On balance, with the exception of the truly awful Parador in Albacete, I always enjoy both eating and staying in them because the staff usually make up for any other deficiencies.

Comment from Einar Dehli
Time: September 5, 2007, 8:08 pm

We had a very pleasant stay at Parador de Alarcon on our trip from Valencia to Madrid earlier this year. The small medieval city of Alarcon, with its eight century Arab Fortress, is located on top of a steep cliff high above the river Jucar. We got a nicely decorated room in the tower, covering a full floor (apart from the lift and stairs to rooms above and below). Great footpaths around the canyon offered gorgeous views of the castle and city. Recommended!

Comment from Wen
Time: September 19, 2007, 12:01 am

Try the one in Lerma - in the palace of the duque de Lerma.

Lerma is a pretty little out of the way town with cobblestoned streets.

The palace was disused and in a state of complete disrepair - my father-in-law’s cousin, who worked on the project to restore the palace, took me on an insider’s tour of the work done, which was extensive. It’s worth a visit to see the restoration work alone - note the old (hand beaten) and replica (machine turned) balcony rails…