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The 5 most luxurious castle hotels (Paradores) in Spain
Spain. So, lets discover the top 5 most luxurious castle hotels among the other hotels included in the chain of Spanish luxury hotels.
1. Parador de León, León – Hostal San Marcos
Lets start from 5 stars. One of the most famous and most beautiful castle hotels of Spain is situated in the North of Spain, in the city of León, on the huge San Marcos square. In the XVI century this luxury hotel used to be a San Marcos Monastery and hospital. Excellent service and superb architecture represented by epic columns, spacious halls, and historical interior impress all travellers who have a chance to visit it. Who wouldnt like to live like a king?
2. Parador de Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña – Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos
The second 5-stars castle hotel is located in the centre of the north-western city A Coruña. Being one of the most luxurious hotels, Parador de Santiago de Compostela is also one of the oldest hotels in the world. This world famous castle hotel is a combination of tradition and novelty. Special ancient design, luxurious dining rooms, excellent cuisine, spectacular greenery, beautiful cloisters, magnificent works of art – all these ingredients compose the dream of numerous travellers.
3. Parador de Alarcón, Cuenca
Parador de Alarcón is located in Cuenca. In the VII century Parador de Alarcón used to be an Arabian fortress and castle. However, the 4-stars hotel combines medieval style as well as modern. Its monumental style makes you feel inspired and safe. Discovering the castle you can imagine yourself being shot in a historical film because the spirit of the past is carefully preserved. The interior of the hotel is decorated with a collection of majestic paintings. You may also enjoy the amazing view being on the top of the fortress.
4. Parador de Granada, Granada
One more luxury castle hotel in Spain, Parador de Granada, is located in Andalusia, in the southern Spanish city of Granada. Exotic gardens and flowers, ancient halls and fountains recall a conserved past where the Arabian merged with the Christian. Visitors fall in love with the amazing summer terrace, exotic greenery and spacious rooms equipped with unique furniture and other interior decorations.
5. Parador de Oropesa, Toledo
Having been built in 986, Parador de Oropesa is situated on the hill of Toledo, the city in central Spain. Parador de Oropesa contains such facilities as comfortable rooms, lounges, terrace, swimming pool and a beautiful restaurant in medieval style. You can spend a great time there enjoying spectacular city panorama and delicious meals. The hotel preserves many original architectural details of the castle combined with subtle contemporary features.
Max Statham is Marketing Director at GlobeLink Travel Insurance.
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While in English we say castle-hotel meaning one of the most luxurious types of dwelling Spanish-speaking countries have the word Parador to denote this phenomenon. As you already understand, paradores are usually located in historic buildings such as a castle or monastery. Paradores serve to maintain the historical spirit of the country as well as to promote tourism in Did you enjoy this article?
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From this list, we would highly recommend the Parador de Granada. Probably one of the most expensive and the most difficult to book room but it is is one of those places where every good traveller should sleep at least once in his live ;D
I love Parador de Trujillo, in the south west of Spain, Extremadura. It’s Beautiful. Trujillo is the land from most of the conquerors traveled to Las Indias ( south America)
The recommendation on Parador de Oropesa jumbles up two very different (but equally good) paradors:
(a) the Parador de Toledo – a modern (1968, not 986 AD) but very stylish 4-star parador, with many of the fittings and decorations characteristic of much older paradors. This is the one shown in the photograph and the only one which fits the description “on the hill of Toledo” It’s on the Cerro del Emperador, a wonderful location overlooking the city of Toledo. Two stays here have shown it to be a delightful place to stay
(b) the Parador de Oropesa, a former 14th Century castle-palace. This lies within Toledo Province but is 70 miles west of the city of Toledo. Opened in 1930, it was the first historic building converted into a state-run hotel in Spain. Experience confirms that this, too, is a thoroughly enjoyable place to stay
If your readers are seeking a parador dating back as far as 986 AD, they would need to head much further north, to the Parador de Hondarribia. That occupies a former castle founded in 980 on the Bidasoa Estuary looking across to the Basque part of France. A stay here is wonderful – although its ancient 10th Century fabric means that it can sometimes be closed for repairs and maintenance
Have stayed at the Parador Jarandilla de La Vera, it was awesome, it´s close to the Monasterio de Yuste in Extremedura. Take a look !
This gives the impression that the Parador Hostal dos Reis Catolicos Santiago is in the city of A Coruna whereas it is of course in the city of Santiago but in the province of A Coruna. I’m staying there myself in August after the Tall ships races.
The Parador in Carmona, Andalusia is beautiful too! Spain seems to be abundant with beautiful historic hotels which were palaces or former monasteries. Monastrio de Guadalupe in Cacares is stunning. You are served dinner by the nuns with produce from their garden.
If at all possible, try to stay in at least one parador while in Spain. They seep with history. They range from inexpensive to fairly expensive, but really worth the price.
There are also many modern-built Paradors as well as historical ones, such as Cazorla, Antequera, Cordoba, Mojacar….