Paradors, Spain

[grantmac]

Looking for some advice. I am pretty good with the Logis website process in booking hotels for France but I am not familiar with the ´´Parador´´ system which i believe is similar for Spain?
Any tips?

thanks

 

[wessie]

Register for the Amigo programme. Get points and a 5% discount.
Half board rates are good value.
Sometimes they have an over 50s rate that is cheaper than Amigo discount.
The one in Limpias is good if you need one close to the ports.

I recently stayed in the one near Vielha which has recently been upgraded. It was very good. The bar/lounge with 270 degree panoramic view was very nice. Half board was 154 euro which is great compared to French 4* prices. As you favour the left bank clarets, you could stay here and visit the source of the Garonne nearby, although it is just a puddle in a field!

Some are in 20th century buildings, some in old castles and monasteries. I have probably stayed in a dozen of them.

If you are heading from the Picos to the N260, then they one in Sos del Rey Catolico might suit. Just reopened after a refurb. Located in a very nice hilltop town.

 

[daesimps]

I think their website (parasite.es) functions in English. I’ve never paid attention as I speak Spanish.

If you sign up to their Amigos rewards, which is free, you get a free breakfast on your first stay. You also get a free drink in the bar for every stay.

Not sure where you’re going, but I can definitely recommend the Cangas de Narcea and Hondarribia Paradores. The one in Seu d’Urgell isn’t bad either.

Every one we’ve stayed in has been well setup for bikes with regards to secure parking, but obviously I can’t guarantee that all the Paradores are like that.

We always try and stay in a Parador if we can.

 

[daesimps]

Looks like me and Wessie overlapped our posts.

Good shout on the Limpias one - stayed there in September

 

[Wapping]

Ectopic is the king of the paradors. He harbours some plan or other to visit them all.

 

[Asturcon]

Hey, dude.

Sadly Paradors are no longer subsidised by the government as they used to be when they were formed back in the 70s & 80s. In those days it was super cheap to stay in them. They are beautiful places for the most part, though. Often they are converted castles, such as Sigüenza (c.XII) ; monasteries, such as Santo Estevo (c.VI - VII); or new builds, which came later, such as Segovia (1978). Of these three, Segovia is the least appealing from an architectural point of view, yet has one of the best views of one of Spain's finest cities from every room, because every room and balcony faces the city. They're very much into their ballooning there and often in the mornings you are greeted with a fantastic sight of them rising in the cool morning air out of the city.

You can save a few €s by joining their fidelity program (Amigos de Paradores), but they are not cheap to stay in any longer. Of course, "cheap" is a relative term because you would probably struggle to pay for dinner in a converted C.XII castle in the UK for the price of one night in a Parador. The fidelity program, should you choose to sign up for their notifications, will offer special rates at certain times of year which may, or may not, be of use to you. Midweek stays will always be cheaper than weekend ones, obviously.

We do a 12 day tour every year around Spain (mainly northern half) and we stay in at least one Parador every year, if not more. My lot are not short of a few bob, so it's never a problem, but we find that many Paradors are just that bit too far from "where it's at" for every day. After a long day we like to immerse ourselves in the local culture and have a Spanish price beer and see the town through the bottom of a glass or two. That is not always easy in some Parador locations. If you stay in The Santo Estevo, for instance, one of THE most beautiful Paradors on the network, is has a convoluted approach and is super remote, but you'll struggle to find a nicer beer garden (in the cloisters) or a finer restaurant down in the bowels of the old carriage house.

The Barceló group also have some fantastic hotels being very similar to the Paradors. Canfranc and Boltaña are both theirs and equal to any Parador with the arguable exception of Santo Estevo.

Their website will show you every one of them and an AI search will doubtless give you an impression of the pricing based on season.

Enjoy

 

[RedRick Esq.]

You can save a few €s by joining their fidelity program (Amigos de Paradores), but they are not cheap to stay in any longer. Of course, "cheap" is a relative term because you would probably struggle to pay for dinner in a converted C.XII castle in the UK for the price of one night in a Parador.

I find that most if you book Dinner bed and breakfast to be quite good value. Having used them extensively and then comparing the price of a different and inferior hotel that probably entails eating out etc so when added up they are reasonable

 

[squibb34]

The Parador story started almost 100 years ago now & have developed progressively. Some of the historic ones are a must see, like Leon or Santiago de Compstella.

When I recall our first visits to the chain over 30 years ago, the growth & improvement has been considerable. I can recall a few Basil Fawlty moments from our early experiences, inept staff & chefs walking out in a huff before service, that you wouldn't get to enjoy? today. I do miss the old wine lists though - their pricing strategy was bizarre, sometimes with fine Riojas at bargain basement prices.

BTW, don't forget the Pousadas of Portugal too, a similar concept.

 

[OnHellas]

https://paradores.es/en

That should be a link to the Paradores site with the English translation….hopefully.

 

[PembsGSA]

Over the years I think we have stayed in over 20 differing Paradors dotted around Spain... None of them has ever disappointed, but I would say that some are better than others... https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-hondarribia for instance has no restuarant, and a lot of the restuarants in the locality did'nt open till late (for us anyways).

However, two stand-out favourites...

https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-aiguablava

https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-carmona

 

[Arsey]

The Parador story started almost 100 years ago now & have developed progressively. Some of the historic ones are a must see, like Leon or Santiago de Compstella.

When I recall our first visits to the chain over 30 years ago, the growth & improvement has been considerable. I can recall a few Basil Fawlty moments from our early experiences, inept staff & chefs walking out in a huff before service, that you would get to enjoy? today. I do miss the old wine lists though - their pricing strategy was bizarre, sometimes with fine Riojas at bargain basement prices.

BTW, don't forget the Pousadas of Portugal too, a similar concept.

We stayed in the Pousada in Braganca last year . From memory the cheapest set menu was €120 and went over €180 .
We had a bowl of spag bol.
Staying in three Paradors next May including Corias and Santo Estero which are both fantastic

 

[FatAl]

Looks like me and Wessie overlapped our posts.

Good shout on the Limpias one - stayed there in

I stayed for a few nights at end of August to early September, and briefly spoke to a chap who was touring with a female companion. I'm wondering if it was you. I was with a party of 20 people.

 

[daesimps]

I don’t remember a party of 20. I was there the night of 31/08 with my wife.

We’re both on r1300GSs. Hers is trophy colours and mine’s triple black.

 

[Wapping]

We stayed in the Pousada in Braganca last year . From memory the cheapest set menu was €120 and went over €180….

It’s Michelin starred, apparently.

The menu seems to be missing ketchup. Probably an innocent oversight.

Menu - G Restaurante

gpousada.com

 

[JH]

A lot of good info here for you Grantmac, especially from Asturcon; as said very different set up from the 80's, when I first used them. But they are a wide range of properties and locations, and a bit of research will allow you to find some good options. We recently returned from a Portugal and Spain tour, and as part of the Brittany Ferry Booking we stayed at 'Paradour de Congas de Onis Villanueva'. As it was all booked via BF this gave us a discount on the crossing fees as it counted as a package holiday. This may be of interest.

We chose it as it was our last night, within a couple of hours of Santander for the return crossing, but a beautiful building and facilities. It was tucked away, so we couldn't wander into town, but as it was the last evening we had decided to splash out. It was a fantastic meal, as was the breakfast in the morning, and we finished up in the bar until closing time in very convivial surroundings. Recommended.

 

[Arsey]

A lot of good info here for you Grantmac, especially from Asturcon; as said very different set up from the 80's, when I first used them. But they are a wide range of properties and locations, and a bit of research will allow you to find some good options. We recently returned from a Portugal and Spain tour, and as part of the Brittany Ferry Booking we stayed at 'Paradour de Congas de Onis Villanueva'. As it was all booked via BF this gave us a discount on the crossing fees as it counted as a package holiday. This may be of interest.

We chose it as it was our last night, within a couple of hours of Santander for the return crossing, but a beautiful building and facilities. It was tucked away, so we couldn't wander into town, but as it was the last evening we had decided to splash out. It was a fantastic meal, as was the breakfast in the morning, and we finished up in the bar until closing time in very convivial surroundings. Recommended.

That’s a nice Parador too. Stayed with my wife in 2018

 

[Tobers]

Mrs T and I did a drive all around Spain last year, staying mainly in Paradores. Most were great. A couple were disappointing, Cordoba being one of them.

Cuenca was amazing and Granada (yes, it is in the Al Hambra and you drive into the palace grounds to park in the Parador car park) was spectacular if a bit pricey.

 

[wessie]

Had a little think about the Paradors I have used. I think Avila was my favourite. Partly the hotel with the lovely terrace shaded by a glade of cypress trees. Partly the city it is located in and partly the proximity to the lovely Sierra de Gredos to ride in.
Next is Cervera de Pisuerga in the SE corner of the Picos. The view from the rooms facing north and the terrace over a valley to the Picos is lovely. It has been closed this year for a refurb but should reopen for 2027.

 

[Ectopic]

As far as I'm aware, Pousadas in Portugal are no longer a state-owned affair. I think they were sold off to a private hotel chain - Pestana, perhaps? - a few years ago.

We've stayed at 70-odd Paradores, and have a further 14 booked for next year. They are not quite as good value as when we first started (2015-ish) but we tend to budget between 250 and 300 Euros a night for half board in a superior room or junior suite. There have been three I wouldn't go back to - Soria, Benavente and Cordoba. Newly-opened ones and refurbished ones tend to be quite pricey. In our experience, they all offer a virtually guaranteed level of accommodation, restaurant and service. While there are almost certainly private hotels out there that offer the same, it takes away the risk. And having done so many, it would be churlish not to try and do them all...

Everyone's tastes are different so it's impossible to recommend specific ones. In general, though, the ones in the restored old buildings are very special. The ones I'd recommend to anyone are Cardona (handy for Catalunya MotoGP), Alarcon and Granada. Granada is the most expensive but maybe not surprising given the location. Costa de Morte on the North West coast is an amazing location, as is Aiguablava on the Costa Brava. If you like remote, try Cazorla or Santo Estevo; paradise! I wouldn't rush back to Santiago de Compostela which, like Cordoba, seems to have a guaranteed customer base so doesn't need to try too hard.

As has been said, join the Amigo de Paradores plan and get points for stays. Two or three of our stays next year will be paid for with points.

There are a few websites pretending to be the Paradores site. They are just agents. The real one is www.paradores.es/en

EDIT: By the way, when we're touring we soon get into the cycle of having a decent breakfast, then a huge blowout meal at 2 or 3 pm. No evening food required. This prevent me being painfully stuffed at bedtime, and also means I can eat the huge meal and not put on loads of weight in the holiday! We generally have a bottle of Cava with our meal, and they usually have a couple of decent standard Cavas, then a special one. Still not painfully expensive - maybe 30 or 40 Euros a bottle - but can be spectacular. The Alia Alta (or something like that) we had in the amazing dining room at Lleida was particularly memorable. But if a Parador has Codorniu Ars Collecta, always go for that!

 

[Berin]

Who was with the party of 20?

Mrs Berin and I met a big group in early September at the Parador de Puebla de Sanabria. We were both on our GS Basics and a one of the KTM riders had broken down, his bike had been recovered to the KTM dealer in Braganca - which was inconvenient as his ferry home was the next day!