Country Article / Postcards

A stylish Spanish stay

Date: 02/20/2007

Literally meaning “stopping place,” Spain’s first parador was opened in Navarredonda de Gredos in 1928, an age of poor inns and hostels.

Royal wedding guests forced to suffer substandard rooms
Brainchild of Marquis Vega Inclán, who wished to create a better class of accommodation while reclaiming some of the country’s abandoned national monuments, paradors offer guests an authentic mix of local style and atmosphere. King Alfonso XIII himself opened the first, after some of his wedding guests were forced to stay in substandard private houses. This demonstrated the need for better rooms—and the on-the-move Marquis created a wider choice of places to stay. Today, 91 of these unique, government-run luxury hotels dot the country.

To stop at the Paradors Prices are between 90 euros and 150 euros for a double room, or 80% of this price for single occupancy. Special hotels (like the one in the Alhambra) cost 250 euros with no reduction for single occupancy. Tel: +34(0)91516-6666; e-mail: reservas@parador.es; website: www.parador.es

Covering the whole of the mainland from the Pyrenees in the north to Cadiz in the south, the Canary Islands, the Balearics, and the Spanish outposts of Ceuta and Melilla on the north African coast, the paradors offer a consistent standard of quality accommodation, service, and local gastronomy.

Careful restoration and modern pampering
The older paradors are found in historic buildings that have been carefully restored, as is the case with the 15th-century convent in the grounds of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Others are brand-new, boasting Internet access, or, like the parador of Vielha on the French border, a spa.

The parador network has nine suggested routes for exploring the country or region, such as The Green Spain Route in the damper north of the country, or the Silver Route based on the Roman road running from north to south. But not even the totality of these routes covers the whole network, so it may make sense to become an Amigo de Paradores or “Friend of the Paradors.” The free loyalty card that comes with membership allows you to accumulate points that can be exchanged for a free night’s accommodation at any member hotel, at any time of year—and ultimately give you a better taste of Spanish hospitality.