Spanish Hotels

OROPESA

Parador de Oropesa Hotel Built of sand-coloured stone in 1402, this was the first castle to be converted into a parador in 1930. The interior is as impressive as the exterior, preserving original floors and vaulting. Breathtaking views of the Sierra de Gredos and Tajo valley from the towers and terraces. Plaza del Palacio 1, 45560 Oropesa, Toledo.

MERIDA

Parador Vía de la Plata Hotel Though much of the building is modern, this parador’s historical association is evident in many touches. It is full of Roman artefacts, its 16th-century chapel is now a sitting room and past the reception area is a cloistered courtyard. Upstairs, most of the large bedrooms overlook the Moorish gardens. Plaza de la Constitución 3, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz.

NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS

Parador de Gredos Hotel The exterior of this 1920s parador is stone, its interior wood. Massive rooms boast beams and hunting trophies. Carretera Barraco–Béjar km42, 05635 Navarredonda de Gredos, Avila.

PEDRAZA DE LA SIERRA

El Hotel de la Villa Hotel The walled medieval hilltop town, dominated by its castle, is a maze of higgledy-piggledy streets lined with beautifully preserved houses. In one of these is this stylish hotel, a stunning mix of the traditional and the contemporary. Its comfortable bedrooms are all different, with glossy well-equipped bathrooms. Calzada 5, 40172 Pedraza de la Sierra, Segovia.

SALAMANCA

NH Palacio de Castellanos Swish hotel in a 15th-century monastery, with a vaulted glass roof. San Pablo 58, 37008 Salamanca.

SALAMANCA

Hotel Residencia Rector An abundance of marble and stained glass, and a warm ambience, behind a Renaissance-style façade. Paseo Rector Esperabe 10, 37008 Salamanca.

ALAMEDA DEL VALLE

La Posada de Alameda A popular refuge for the city-weary, this new posada has an incomparable setting in the Lozoya Valley, 90km (55 miles) north of Madrid. The large bedrooms have views over a varied, unspoilt landscape, encompassing mountains, lakes and almond groves. The walls are adorned with interesting modern pictures.

MÉRIDA

Tryp Medea Indoor and outdoor pools, squash courts, sauna and gym are among the amenities at this pampering, amphitheatre-style hotel. Avenida de Portugal, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz.

ALARCÓN

Parador Marqués de Villena One half expects to see Don Quixote’s horse Rocinante tethered by the courtyard well of this hilltop Moorish fortress. Behind the thick walls lie a vaulted dining chamber, a great hall which now doubles as sitting room and cafeteria, and bedrooms which echo the medieval theme.

LA ALBERCA

Las Batuecas The chestnut and cherry trees of the Sierra de Francia surround this impressive stone house. Covered terrace and grassy garden. NAvda Las Batuecas 6, 37624 La Alberca, Salamanca.

AVILA

Gran Hotel Palacio Valderrábanos Through the important entrance, every beam and arch reeks of the past. Try for a room with a cathedral view.

Sancho de Estrada A medieval castle with thick stone walls, towers, coats of arms and an interior to match. Simple bedrooms but fabulous views.

Hostería de Bracamonte The walls of the cheerful bar are lined with photographs of the glitterati fans of this typical Castillian hotel, with its natural stonework and tapestry wallhangings.

ALMAGRO

Parador de Almagro Hand-painted signs ensure that guests don’t get lost in this rambling modern building on the site of an old convent. Its rooms are arranged around 14 small quads. Painted ceilings, vivid tapestries and pottery add colour to the public rooms; bedrooms are simpler. There are flowers everywhere and a friendly ambience. NRonda de San Francisco, 13270 Almagro, Ciudad Real.

CACERES

Meliá Cáceres The old town within the ramparts contains a host of fine mansions, built for generations of aristocrats. This serene hotel is in one of these mansions, a solid wooden door leading into a well-preserved, stylish interior, arranged around a courtyard. Vaulted stables make a wonderfully atmospheric bar.

Parador de Cáceres A splendid 14th-century palace with a slender tower houses this elegant parador, its façade almost untouched since its foundation. Unlike many in the chain, the snug public rooms don’t have massive proportions, and bedrooms are simply attractive. Delightful inner courtyard. Classic regional cuisine.

TOLEDO

Hostal del Cardenal This beautiful house in central Toledo was a cardinal’s summer home. Birds sing and fountains play in the Moorish garden, where dinner can be taken in the summer. Inside are handsome antiques and an elegant staircase. Room sizes vary; there is one small suite. The restaurant is next door. Paseo de Recaredo 24, 45004 Toledo.

Parador de Turismo de Toledo Contemporary hilltop parador, built sympathetically in local style, with a pool and great views over the city. Cerro del Emperador, 45002 Toledo.

Pintor El Greco This 17th-century house in the Jewish quarter, with colourful furnishings and modern comforts, makes an excellent base. Alamillos del Tránsito 13, 45002 Toledo.

SIGUERUELO

Posada de Sigueruelo A visit to this quiet village inn is to sample rural life at its best. In the rugged country that surrounds Sigueruelo, you can go hiking, cycling, riding or canoeing. The friendly staff at the Posada will organize it for you. On your return, the hotel’s shady terrace and a drink will beckon. Rooms are small but have stone walls, beams, antiques and plenty of atmosphere. Badén 40,40590 Sigueruelo, Segovia

ZAMORA

Hostería Real de Zamora Housed in a 16thcentury palace of the Inquisition. Comfortable tile-floored rooms. Excellent Basque cuisine. Cuesta de Pizarro 7, 49001 Zamora.

TORREJÓN DE ARDOZ

La Casa Grande A farm founded in the 18th century by Empress Maria of Austria to supply the Imperial College makes a stunning hotel. Massive beamed rooms are decorated with antiques that once belonged to the Russian royal family. In the principal suite is a Baroque bed where Catherine the Great is alleged to have slept. Madrid 2, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid.

PEDRAZA DE LA SIERRA

La Posada de Don Mariano Televisions are only provided on request, as they would look too brash in the exquisitely decorated bedrooms. Each has its own character and is furnished using carefully chosen antiques. Avoid the rooms above the lively bar, whose ceiling does not provide solid enough protection against the noise. Mayor 14, 40172 Pedraza de la Sierra, Segovia.

AVILA

Parador de Turismo de Avila All that remains of the original 16th-century building is the tower, housing some small bedrooms, and the courtyard, shaded by a great pine. Bedrooms in the new part are larger and airier; some have four-poster beds, some fine views. The sun-trap terrace is an appealing place to relax.

SEGOVIA

Infanta Isabel A handsome 19th-century townhouse opposite the cathedral, this hotel is furnished classically with flair. Plaza Mayor 12, 40001 Segovia.

Los Linajes Tiled floors, beams and carved furniture produce a charming effect in this hotel nestling below the cathedral but with country views. Dr Velasco 9, 40003 Segovia.

TOLEDO

María Cristina An old orphanage that preserves its heritage, this hotel and its dining room are especially popular at weekends and fiestas. Marqués de Mendigorria 1, 45003 Toledo.

TRUJILLO

Finca de Santa Marta This country manor house, where oil and wine used to be produced, has been converted into a perfect rural getaway. Modern facilities blend sympathetically with the fabric of the building and with the regional furniture, yielding bright, comfortable and attractive rooms. Pago San Clemente s/n, 10200 Trujillo, Cáceres.

Parador de Trujillo Partly housed within the 16th-century convent of Santa Clara, and partly in a modern building, this parador has proved immensely popular. It’s set in a maze of quiet streets yet has with views over the Extremadura countryside. Rebuilding programme undertaken in 2003. Plaza Santa Beatriz de Silva 1, 10200 Trujillo, Cáceres.

ZAMORA

Parador Condes de Alba y Aliste If you need a reason to go to Zamora, this is it. A glorious Renaissance courtyard, with cloister below and enclosed galleries above, masks an interior perfectly in keeping with its 18th-century restoration. Half the rooms are in a new wing over a public pool. Friendly, efficient service. Plaza de Viriato 5, 49001 Zamora.

ZAFRA

Parador de Zafra A 15th-century fortress with round towers conjures images from the days of the Conquistadors. Highlights are the stunning white marble patio, over which most bedrooms look, and the magnificent staircase leading to them. The swimming pool in the walled garden is a delight. Plaza del Corazón de María 7, 06300 Zafra, Badajoz.

Huerta Honda Window boxes overflowing with geraniums enliven this white villa with calm bedrooms, amusing decor and excellent food. López Asme 30, 06300, Zafra, Badajoz.

SIGÜENZA

Parador de Turismo de Sigüenza Perched above the town, this huge medieval castle has a vast sitting room, snug bar and panoramic views. Plaza del Castillo, 19250 Sigüenza, Guadalajara.

BENAVENTE

Parador Rey Fernando II de León The 12thcentury castle keep survives as a drawing room. New swimming pool.

CIUDAD RODRIGO

Conde Rodrigo Handsome 16th-century exterior, rather bland interior. Good-value restaurant.Plaza de San Salvador 9, 37500 Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca.

CUENCA

Leonor de Aquitania An honest inn in the heart of the old town. The ground floor is flagstoned, walls bear tapestries or hunting trophies. San Pedro 60, 16001 Cuenca.

COLLADO HERMOSO

El Molino del Río Viejo Gorgeous old mill which stands amid poplars; the cosiest bedrooms are the ones in the eaves. Book well ahead. Carretera N110 km 172, 40170 Collado Hermoso, Segovia.

CEREZO DE ARRIBA

Casón de la Pinilla Ranch-style hotel on the outskirts of a sleepy village, minutes from the ski slopes of La Pinilla. In the restaurant the accent is on local specialities. In summer, breakfast and drinks are served on the long, balconied porch. With a playroom and activities ranging from riding to canoeing, the Casón caters to all ages. 40592 Cerezo de Arriba, Segovia.

CIUDAD RODRIGO

Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo Enrique II The whole of the 12th-century fortified town of Ciudad Rodrigo is a historical monument. This castle stands at the centre of the old town. Most of the rooms look inward towards the lovely enclosed gardens. Try for one of the bedrooms overlooking the Agueda river and the town. Plaza del Castillo 1, 37500 Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca.

Chinchón

Parador de Chinchón Soothe body and mind at this 15th-century former convent. Simple but elegant decoration includes the original frescoes on the main staircase; the internal courtyard is glorious. Outside are trees and flowers, bamboos and fountains, and a spectacular colonnaded swimming pool. Avenida del Generalísimo 1, 28370 Chinchón, Madrid.

CUENCA

Parador de Cuenca This 16th-century former convent is perched dramatically above a gorge in the upper town, with rooms ranged around a calm courtyard. Staff are friendly and capable. Nearby is the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, in one of the ‘Casas Colgadas’ which literally hang over the gorge. Subida San Pablo s/n, 16001 Cuenca.

Posada de San José Formerly the home of the painter Martinez del Mazo, this simple, charming hotel looks out over allotments and the cliffs of the Júcar gorge. For a view, book a room with a bathroom. Polished floors and furniture reassure you that this is a well-run house. The welcome is friendly, and so are the prices.

Guadalupe

Parador Zurbarán Pilgrims used to shelter in this 18th-century hospital, and it still accommodates weary travellers. Orange trees shade an inner court where arcades lead to the salons and dining room. Bedrooms are attractively decorated; those in the modern building have outstanding views over monastery, village and mountains. Marqués de la Romana 12, 10140 Guadalupe, Cáceres.

Hospedería del Real Monasterio This is part fortress and part monastery. The Franciscans (still in residence) have created a hotel within their own walls. Gathered round a Gothic cloister are sitting rooms, a dining room and large bedrooms. The church has a splendid collection of paintings, including some by Zurbarán.

JARANDILLA DE LA VERA

Parador Carlos V It was at this remote fortified manor that Holy Roman Emperor Charles V spent his last nights before retiring to the monastery at Yuste in 1556. It is complete down to the towers and a drawbridge. The cool arcade, upper veranda and vast, comfortable rooms make you realize why the emperor chose this spot. Avenida de García Prieto 1, 10450 Jarandilla de la Vera, Cáceres.