A Magical Way to Visit Spain

These castles, palaces, convents, monasteries and other unique buildings offer guests the chance to spend an evening in luxurious rooms that were once occupied by the most important figures of nobility and clergy and to enjoy a superb selection of regional Spanish cuisine, all accompanied by professional, high quality service.

The Paradores project was the idea of King Alphonse XIII and became a reality in 1928 when the Parador of Gredos was opened near Madrid. Although it’s been almost 80 years since then, Paradores is still the most interesting way to enjoy Spain. Its 93 establishments and more than 5,600 hotel rooms conserve all the historical flavor of yesteryear. However, they have also adapted to the times and remain in the forefront of hotel products, services and technology. The name is among the most well known in the tourism sector in Europe and the company has its own hotel training center where the country’s brightest professionals complete their post-graduate studies.

There is no doubt that Paradores is one of the world’s most unique hotel chains. It is managed like any other private enterprise and each year earns profits which are then reinvested in new establishments. However, the fact that it is wholly-owned by the Spanish state allows it to continue working toward the two social objectives which led to its creation: the recovery of Spain’s historical-artistic heritage and the promotion of tourism in regions with scant tourism activity.
Thanks to this policy, Paradores occupies some of the country’s most important historical buildings. For example, it possesses the only monumental hotel located on the grounds of La Alhambra (Granada), the oldest hotel in the world (Hostal de los Reyes Católicos in Santiago de Compostela) and offers clients some of the country’s most emblematic castles and establishments in the most spectacular natural parks.

Those who are already familiar with Paradores know that the magic that envelops the traveler when visiting the villages of Andalusia, walking the Way of Saint James or following the steps of Don Quixote is much more intense if the journey takes place from Parador to Parador.