Have paradors had their day?
This question was prompted by a comment from Wessie in this post:
This question was prompted by a comment from Wessie in this post:
Last edited:
Have paradors had their day?
- Thread starter Wapping
- Start date
Possibly. They appeal to a certain demographic that is shrinking in the EU and I don't think their occupancy has been anything like it was before Covid and they certainly aren't hitting the same service levels.
It was noticeable that a pair of Gen Z SE Asian influencers with film crew were present at the Alarcon Castle. Presumably they are hoping to get on that bandwagon. At Siguenza, there were quite a few people walking into the reception area to gawp at the courtyard but were obviously not resident, which is probably what will happen with Asian tourists, like the Cotswolds where they take a selfie and fuck off to a modern glass fronted hotel in a big city.
For me, I preferred the Fawlty Towers type places on this trip.
Reckon so. Stayed in a couple of Paradors two weeks ago and they definitely seem to have gone down in terms of quality of food and service. Great shame really as I used to think they were good value for money. Stayed in the Parador at Almagro recently. Lovely building and grounds but VFM? Not really
Stayed in the Ceuta one last year, and nowhere near the standard that they used to be. Shame, as they were a highlight of tours in the late 90's for me.
I thought the Paradors in Cangas de Narcea and Cangas de Onis were ok
Stayed there a few years ago, the room was fine, the menu choices very strange and the staff attitude not the best. Stayed in a little hotel on the other side of the bridge in Cuenca the year after, very friendly with free parking under the hotel and a decent breakfast, had the evening meals out at one of the many restaurants in the town centre.
The Parador at Fuente de was very busy - busier than I have ever seen it so on an occupancy basis I reckon they are going from strength to strength
The monastery at cores was also fairly full
The service and food were as good as it ever was IMO if not a bit better certainly the venison I had in the Corias Monastery was 1st rate
The monastery at cores was also fairly full
The service and food were as good as it ever was IMO if not a bit better certainly the venison I had in the Corias Monastery was 1st rate
Stayed at all of those last year and thought they were pretty good . Food and drink were good and rooms comfortable. Have stayed in far worse places in India and SE Asia
Did a 14 day Pyrenees tour in September 2023 with all accommodation in various Paradors (from memory, I think you get a good discount when bulk booking). I also signed up as a "Amigos" member for offers/discounts.
I think they are great value... Noteable places to stay....
Parador de Aiguablava...This is simply one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in....
Great place this too...
I think they are great value... Noteable places to stay....
Parador de Aiguablava...This is simply one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in....
Great place this too...
I've stayed at 58 so far, and another 8 due in July this year.
There has been one disappointing one (Soria), and a couple I wouldn't rush back to because they're not particularly memorable, but in general I think they offer good value for a good level of accommodation and restaurants. There have been some that are truly amazing - Costa de Morte, Aiguablava and El Saler for the newer ones, Cardona and Alarcon for restored old buildings, Mojacar and Lerma for food. We budget on 250 Euros a night for half board and a superior room or junior suite. Some are considerably more expensive but in general so something to justify the additional expense, either in terms of location or accommodation.
Joining the loyalty scheme offers a slight discount on room prices plus you earn points to redeem within 24 months (I think). This year's holiday will include two paradores where the accommodation is being paid for just with points. Get onto the top level Amigo (Circulo) and you get free breakfasts (or the equivalent knocked off the HB price) and free parking in the few that charge. This was really welcome when on the bike as you generally get a garage space, and at Granada where the parking in the Alhambra complex was 30 Euros a night!
I am sure there are other hotels that offer a similar standard for similar prices (or less) but you can generally be confident of a certain standard, both in comfort and restaurant, in a Parador.
They've opened new ones over the last year or two and are opening a few more over the next year or two. Some are shut for multi-million pound refits. So they can't be doing too bad financially.
There has been one disappointing one (Soria), and a couple I wouldn't rush back to because they're not particularly memorable, but in general I think they offer good value for a good level of accommodation and restaurants. There have been some that are truly amazing - Costa de Morte, Aiguablava and El Saler for the newer ones, Cardona and Alarcon for restored old buildings, Mojacar and Lerma for food. We budget on 250 Euros a night for half board and a superior room or junior suite. Some are considerably more expensive but in general so something to justify the additional expense, either in terms of location or accommodation.
Joining the loyalty scheme offers a slight discount on room prices plus you earn points to redeem within 24 months (I think). This year's holiday will include two paradores where the accommodation is being paid for just with points. Get onto the top level Amigo (Circulo) and you get free breakfasts (or the equivalent knocked off the HB price) and free parking in the few that charge. This was really welcome when on the bike as you generally get a garage space, and at Granada where the parking in the Alhambra complex was 30 Euros a night!
I am sure there are other hotels that offer a similar standard for similar prices (or less) but you can generally be confident of a certain standard, both in comfort and restaurant, in a Parador.
They've opened new ones over the last year or two and are opening a few more over the next year or two. Some are shut for multi-million pound refits. So they can't be doing too bad financially.
The coachloads of tourists thing seems to be a fairly recent development. They must offer good rates. Lots of Japanese and Chinese groups who do tend to overwhelm the place when they all pitch up making lots of noise and spending so much time photographing that I doubt they really appreciate their surroundings.
In Gran Canaria in March, I imagine one of the selling points to coach parties is the view from the Parador. It really is stunning. Unfortunately for the entire time of one coach party - 3pm to 10am - it was swathed in clouds and you could barely see to the edge of the restaurant terrace. That didn't stop them photographing, of course.
In Gran Canaria in March, I imagine one of the selling points to coach parties is the view from the Parador. It really is stunning. Unfortunately for the entire time of one coach party - 3pm to 10am - it was swathed in clouds and you could barely see to the edge of the restaurant terrace. That didn't stop them photographing, of course.
Something I picked up on during my recent stay in 2 paradors
Their beer price
a small beer is £2.80 ( euros) a large beer is £5
The difference in quantity is no more than a decent mouthful so buy 2 small beers and get almost twice as much for almost the same money
Their beer price
a small beer is £2.80 ( euros) a large beer is £5
The difference in quantity is no more than a decent mouthful so buy 2 small beers and get almost twice as much for almost the same money
and they charge €6 for a bottle of the excellent Mahou Maestra Doble Lúpulo @7.5% when other places charge 3.
sven
Registered user
I stayed in a couple of paradors on tour this year, both in historic buildings.
Tortosa had a great hilltop location and a good (albeit expensive) breakfast. I didn't eat in the restaurant, instead walking down into the dump of a town for a pizza. The bar in the parador wasn't particularly expensive as I recall.
Lerma was a beautiful parador and I'd booked a posh room in one of the corner towers overlooking the square, so my missus was more than happy
Again the breakfast was good, but we ate in one of the restaurants on the square, not in the parador.
Tortosa had a great hilltop location and a good (albeit expensive) breakfast. I didn't eat in the restaurant, instead walking down into the dump of a town for a pizza. The bar in the parador wasn't particularly expensive as I recall.
Lerma was a beautiful parador and I'd booked a posh room in one of the corner towers overlooking the square, so my missus was more than happy
Again the breakfast was good, but we ate in one of the restaurants on the square, not in the parador.
Stayed in the Parador in La Seu d'Urgell for three nights in July. It has a separate garage for motorbike parking only within the gated car park. Hotel facilities were great.
Had Tapas a short walk away each night.
Barry
Had Tapas a short walk away each night.
Barry
Parador de Lerma is beautifulI stayed in a couple of paradors on tour this year, both in historic buildings.
Tortosa had a great hilltop location and a good (albeit expensive) breakfast. I didn't eat in the restaurant, instead walking down into the dump of a town for a pizza. The bar in the parador wasn't particularly expensive as I recall.
Lerma was a beautiful parador and I'd booked a posh room in one of the corner towers overlooking the square, so my missus was more than happy
Last edited:
That’s good to know, we’ll be there in early September
