Paradores de España

What are Paradores de España?

Paradores de España are a chain of hotels located in historic buildings and monuments of touristic interest throughout Spain. Founded in 1928 by King Alfonso XIII, their objective is to preserve and promote the Spanish cultural and artistic heritage, offering visitors a unique and authentic experience in historical and emblematic locations.

How many Paradores are there in Spain?

Paradores de España have more than 90 establishments distributed throughout the Spanish geography, from castles and palaces to monasteries and convents. Each of these hotels has its own personality and charm, reflecting the history and culture of the region in which they are located and providing a unique local experience. In addition to being a fantastic accommodation option for tourists, Paradores de España also offer restaurant, spa and event services, making them an ideal place for weddings, conferences and other social and business events.

A list of the best Paradores in Spain:

Among the most popular Paradores in Spain are, for example, Parador de Alhambra in Granada, Parador de Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Parador de Ronda in Andalusia, Parador de Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha and Parador de Cádiz on the Andalusian coast. Most of these hotels have been restored and renovated in order to offer a modern and comfortable experience to guests, while preserving the essence and original architecture of the building. Many of them have gardens, swimming pools, panoramic views and rooms overlooking the sea or mountains. Paradores de España have remained throughout time a prime option for those looking for quality accommodation in unique and emblematic places. Whether for a romantic getaway, a business trip or a family vacation, Paradores offers a unique and memorable experience not found anywhere else.

In addition, Paradores de España are proof of the country's commitment to the preservation and promotion of its cultural and artistic heritage. By choosing one of these hotels for their next stay, tourists are contributing to the preservation of the history and culture of Spain, which in turn benefits the local economy. They are a more genuine option for an accomodation full of carácter that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the history of this country. A perfect choice for those looking for an unforgettable travel experience. Paradores de España are distributed throughout the country's geography. Each of these establishments reflects the history and culture of the region in which they are located. Their history dates back to the early twentieth century, when King Alfonso XIII created the Red de Paradores Nacionales with the aim of promoting tourism in the country and taking advantage of the rich national heritage. At that time, 18 historical buildings and monuments of tourist interest were selected to be transformed into hotels, which were later managed by the public company Paradores de Turismo.

Since then, Paradores de España has grown significantly, adding new establishments and renovating the existing ones in order to offer a modern and comfortable accommodation experience, without losing the essence and original architecture of the building as they are. of buildings. Many of them are located in emblematic places, such as Parador de Granada, which is located within the Alhambra complex, or Parador de Santiago de Compostela, which is located in the historic center of the city.

In these hotels, guests can enjoy comfortable and modern rooms, as well as high-quality services, such as gourmet restaurants, spas, swimming pools, and event rooms. In addition, many of them offer panoramic views in the rooms themselves. Most of them are located in areas of turistic interest and have a significant economic impact on the regions in which they stand. They not only generate local employment, but also contribute to the promotion of tourism in the area, which benefits the overall economy of the country. Paradores de España are a fantastic accommodation option that allow visitors with an aesthetic sensibility to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the country. Among all the Paradores that can be found in Spain, there is one that stands out for its beauty, prime location and elegance. Parador de San Francisco can be found in the city of Granada, in the heart of Andalusia.

Parador de San Francisco is an old Franciscan convent from the 15th century located on the Alhambra hill, one of the most emblematic places in Spain and a World Heritage Site. This historic building has been, like many others, meticulously restored to offer guests an authentic and charming atmosphere. Parador de San Francisco has an availability of 25 rooms, each uniquely decorated in the traditional Andalusian style. The rooms are equipped with all the modern appliances expected from a luxury hotel and with minute attention to detail. One of the most impressive features of Parador de San Francisco is its location. From the hotel, guests can enjoy spectacular views of the Albaicín, Granada's Moorish quarter, as well as the Alhambra, one of the most impressive palaces in the world. It also has a restaurant that serves delicious local and international dishes. Guests can enjoy a romantic dinner over the city of Granada, or have a coffee at the hotel terrace while admiring the panoramic views.

In addition, the hotel offers a wide variety of services to make the stay as pleasant as posible, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa with sauna and Turkish bath, and a fully equipped meeting room, among others. Parador de San Francisco is a hidden gem in the heart of Granada that offers an incomparable experience. From its prime location to its elegant rooms and delicious cuisine, this hotel is the perfect place for those looking to experience the best.

How many 5 star Paradores are there?

But there is much more that Paradores can offer. There are currently 8 5-star Paradores in Spain, the bread and butter of national locations: Parador de Alcalá de Henares in Madrid, Parador de Cáceres in Extremadura, Parador de Granada in Andalusia, Parador de León in Castilla y León , Ronda Parador in Andalusia, Santiago de Compostela Parador in Galicia, Santo Estevo Parador in Galicia, and Toledo Parador in Castilla La Mancha. All of them also offering a wide range of services, such as restaurants, bars, conference rooms, swimming pools and spas, as well as many cultural and sport activities. The oldest Parador in Spain is Parador de Santiago de Compostela, located in Plaza del Obradoiro, in the historic center of the city. The building that houses this Parador was originally built in the 15th century as a hospital for pilgrims who came to Santiago de Compostela in search of the tomb of the Apostle Santiago. Since then, the building itself has undergone several transformations, being used as a prison and as military barracks before being restored and converted into a Parador in 1954. As is often the case with the chain's locations, it is sitting at a priviledged location in the city, being just a few steps away from the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, one of the most important religious destinations in the world and the final point of the famous Camino de Santiago. The cathedral, built in the 11th century, is an impressive example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and is home to the famous relic of the Apostle Santiago.

Santiago de Compostela has a lot more to offer visitors; from the narrow and picturesque alleys of the old town to the beautiful parks and gardens that surround the city. The Plaza del Obradoiro, where the Parador is located, is one of the most recognizable places in the city and is a popular meeting point for pilgrims and visitors. The inside of the Parador is impressive, with high ceilings, stone arches and elegant decoration that blend perfectly with the historical architecture of the building. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with all the modern conveniences one would expect from a hotel of this standard. It provides with several restaurants that serve traditional Galician cuisine with a modern twist, including delicious local dishes such as Galician octopus and Galician broth. Guests can enjoy a romantic dinner in the hotel's beautiful inner courtyard or have a drink in the cozy bar. Parador de Santiago de Compostela is one of the most impressive hotels in Spain. This luxury hotel is located in the heart of the old town and is an excellent choice for those looking for demanding accommodation in this historic city. These hotels have become a popular destination for tourists and have been praised for their high quality of service and accommodation. However, many wonder who owns Paradores and how are they financed.

Who owns Paradores?

This chain is owned by the Spanish State, more particularly by the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda. This means that, theoretically, Spanish citizens own Paradores. The chain was founded, as we have already mentioned, in 1928 as a way to attract tourists to Spain and promote the country's historical and cultural heritage. Paradores is managed by a state company called Paradores de Turismo de España SA. This company is responsible for the day-to-day management of the hotels, including staffing, advertising and marketing, and reservation management. Although Paradores is owned by the State, they have also received financing from other sources. For example, in 2007, Paradores received a capital injection of 200 million euros from the European Investment Bank. This financing was used to renovate and improve several of the hotels, including Parador de Cangas de Onís in Asturias and Parador de León. In addition, Paradores has been the beneficiary of a series of tourism and economic development projects in various regions of Spain. These projects, which include the restoration of historical buildings and the improvement of the tourist infrastructure.

Spain is a country rich in history and culture, and there is no better way to experience its wealth than by staying in one of its beautiful Paradores. These luxury establishments are located in historic buildings that have been carefully restored to offer a unique and memorable experience. Paradores has almost a hundred hotels throughout Spain, from the Mediterranean coast to the Cantabrian coast, all the way the Canary Islands. Each of these hotels is located in a historic building, a monument or a privileged natural environment, and they have facilities and services of the highest quality.

Paradores is an excellent option for those travelers looking for something more than just a simple hotel stay. The experience of staying in one of the chain's establishments is unique and special, and allows you to learn about the rich history and culture of Spain while enjoying an unforgettable vacation.