What Is A Parador Hotel In Spain?

'Parador' is the name given in Spain to luxury hotels managed by a state-run company and usually located in buildings of historic importance such as fortresses, monasteries and castles; but also new buildings set in nature reserves and areas of outstanding beauty.

Paradores de Turismo de España, the public company managing these luxury hotels, was founded by King Alfonso XIII to promote tourism in Spain. The first parador, Parador de Gredos in Ávila, was opened in 1928 by the King. Today there are 94 paradores from 3 to 5 stars all across Spain, many along the Camino de Santiago.

Parador comes from the Spanish 'parar' which means to stop, halt or stay. The concept behind paradores is to open exceptional historic properties to the public, and use the hotels profits to maintain these beautiful buildings. Most of them also have excellent restaurants offering traditional cuisine at a high standard using local and seasonal produce.

Regardless of the parador's date or style, they all are refurbished to high standard offering all modern comforts, as long as they comply with protected building regulations. Prices at Spanish paradores will vary depending on the room, region and season.

You will find various stunning 'paradores' along the Camino de Santiago:

-Parador de Santiago

The most famous parador on the Camino de Santiago is the 5-star Hostal dos Reis Católicos in the Praza do Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, just across from the cathedral.

-Parador de León (French Way)

XVI century Parador de León, the monastery-hospital Hostal de San Marcos, featured in the movie 'The Way' when the main character, played by Martin Sheen, and some of his fellow pilgrims decide to treat themselves to a pampering night before continuing on their journey to Santiago.

-Santo Domingo de la Calzada (French Way)

Santo Domingo de la Calzada, in section 3 of the French Way, has two beautiful paradores: 3-star Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda by the Convent of Saint Francis and the 4-star Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, located in the building of a XII century pilgrims hospital.

-Parador de Hondarribia (Northern Way)

This 4-star parador is located in a X century fortress overlooking the Bidasoa estuary, in the Basque Country. The original medieval building was founded by King Sancho of Navarra.

tui-parador-camino-Parador de Tui (Portuguese Way)

The 4-star parador the Tui is a beautiful example of the Galician 'pazo' or grand house.

-Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo (French Way)

This is a new building and 4-star hotel in one of the most stunning towns on the French Way.

-Parador de Ferrol (English Way)

This is a 3-star parador in a coastal Galician mansion, combining traditional styles and materials such as granite stone and traditional white 'galerías' windows.

-Parador de Pontevedra (Portuguese Way)

The 4-star parador de Pontevedra is a XVI century Renaissance palace, former home of the Counts of Maceda, located in the historic centre of the city.

-Parador de Zafra (Vía de la Plata)

Zafra is a stopping point on section 2 of the Vía de la Plata. Its 4-star parador is located in an imposing castle built in the XV century for the 'Duques de Feria', a Spanish noble family.