Largely unknown to most travellers to Spain are the government-owned and run “paradores”, a network of luxury hotels located in historical buildings such as castles, palaces, monasteries and other culturally significant structures. The Paradores’ network was established in 1928 with the purpose of preserving and promoting Spain’s cultural heritage while providing exceptional hospitality to visitors, and at excellent prices.
Each Parador hotel showcases the architectural beauty and rich history of its location, often featuring original elements and artefacts. They are strategically situated across Spain, offering a wide range of locations, from breathtaking coastal areas to picturesque towns and cities. Linking them up makes for amazing road trips, too. There are 98 in total located throughout mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and Ceuta and Melilla in Northern Africa, so it was quite difficult to pick our favourite six, especially since each one is unique. It’s the closest you’ll get to time-travelling through Spain’s rich and diverse history.
Parador de Santiago – Hostal Dos Reis Católicos
If you ever feel inclined to walk the famous pilgrimage of Camino de Santiago, then there is no better place to rest your weary body than at the Parador de Santiago, known as the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. Originally built as a hostel and hospital for exhausted pilgrims by the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in the 15th century, the Parador is widely regarded as the oldest hotel in the world. Architecturally divine, it features stunning elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque design, framed by four wonderfully tranquil courtyards. Inside, the elegant hallways are lined with over 140 works from the Madrid School, including artists such as Cirilo Martínez Novillo, Álvaro Delgado and Menchu Gal, all of which creates an incredible ambience and sense of stepping into history. The rooms are lavish, with high ceilings, four-poster beds, and modern bathrooms. Dining under the ancient stone arcades in the Restaurant Dos Reis is quite an experience, and that’s before you’ve been served the sumptuous Galician cuisine.
Parador de Carmona
About 30km from Seville, this ancient Moorish fortress, perched atop a hill in the charming town of Carmona, dates to the 14th century. A tapestry of centuries-old stories plays out in its impressive architectural features and meticulously preserved interiors that incorporate typical Andalusian azulejos (tiles) punctuated with many Islamic influences. If the interior is stunning, then the views of the surrounding countryside will blow you away. The dining room is housed in the former refectory and features a tall, vaulted ceiling striated with dark wooden beams, beneath which you can sit and spy the swimming pool cut into the hillside below.
Parador de Granada
The Parador de Granada is situated on the grounds of the incredible Alhambra, the 9th-century fortress that was expanded and transformed into a lavish palace complex during the 13th and 14th centuries, under the Nasrid dynasty. The Alhambra’s architecture is characterised by its intricate and ornate Islamic design, featuring stunning geometric patterns, exquisite tilework, and intricately carved stucco, and the parador is no different. It’s housed in a Moorish palace dating to the 14th century that was then converted into a Franciscan convent, resulting in a wonderful cacophony of divergent interiors spanning Islamic, Arabic and Christian design. Each of the 40 rooms is unique, with elements of teak and terracotta throughout. But it’s the restaurant that really impresses, serving up 8th-century Nasrid flavours executed with contemporary flair, with dishes such as Andalusian gazpacho, Tortilla de Sacromonte (a local omelette) and monkfish in Mozarabic sauce. You also have to try the piononos de Santa Fe, which are delicate little pastries soaked in syrup and finished off with a dollop of cream.
Parador de Corias
Just inland from the Asturias coast, west of Oviedo, is the Parador de Corias, a monastery dating to the 11th century (there’s a museum inside the hostel where you can see the earliest foundations). Situated in a valley with views of the Narcea River, it’s the only Parador which you share with Dominican monks, who have been based there for centuries and now help to maintain it. Although the Parador has a new heated swimming pool, spa and Turkish bath, you’ll want to strike out early each morning because the hiking around here is exceptional. Right outside the Parador is a Roman bridge which is a gateway to the many trails of the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias, while the village of Cangas del Narcea is only a 20-minute walk away and boasts a plethora of historic buildings such as the Basilica of Santa María Magdalena, the Palace of Omaña, and the Santuario de la Virgen del Acebo. Asturian cuisine is of course the order of the day back at the Parador, with hearty dishes such as Chosco de Tineo (a rich local sausage), and fabada (a chorizo-infused bean stew), alongside squid and locally caught fish.
Parador de Jaén
If you like your landscapes dramatic and imposing, then the Parador de Jaén is for you. It’s situated next to the Castillo de Santa Catalina, high on a hill (800m high, to be exact) with stunning views across the city of Jaén, the olive oil capital of Spain, which is equidistant between Cordoba and Granada. In the other direction, the ranges of the Sierra Morena, Sierra Mágina and the Sierra Sur de Jaén rise into the sky. What were the castle stables is now the hotel, renovated in 2020 to an excellent standard. The rooms are stunning and most afford spectacular views. The garden restaurant serves up local Jiennense fare such as Pipirrana Jiennense (a typical Andalusian salad) and Jabali stew, with lots of Moorish influences in the flavours. And of course, there’s no shortage of olive oil.
Parador de León
The Parador de León is a gem set in the heart of the historic city of León. Housed in the San Marcos monastery, a building dating to the 16th century, this Parador is steeped in history, showcasing a seamless blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, featuring stunning courtyards, intricate stone carvings, and majestic arches. The hostel itself underwent a major renovation towards the end of the last century, and now features a stunning atrium with a ceiling painted by the late Lucio Muñoz, as well as a host of ancient and modern artworks lining the walls. The spacious rooms combine modern comforts with the monastery’s unique character, with four-poster beds and ornate wooden headboards with beautiful marquetry. The restaurant Rey Don Sancho serves a heady array of traditional Castilian dishes, from succulent meats to hearty stews and artisanal cheeses. You have to try the Lechazo de Castilla y León, which is a pot-roasted lamb that is so succulent it dissolves in the mouth. Beyond the Parador, take a stroll through the charming Barrio Húmedo in León, with its lively tapas bars, or visit the Casa Botines, an architectural gem designed by the one and only Antoni Gaudí.
Ryan Thompson is a UK-based menswear and lifestyle writer, whose work has appeared in, among others, the Financial Times, Mr Porter, The Rake and Ape to Gentleman
