Parador

2 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Accommodation

Location

Date of travel

2010

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Partner

Reasons for trip

Relaxation

Due to a friend’s illness we were unable to holiday as planned so we thought we’d take the opportunity to book into some of Spain’s Paradores – having already booked flights to and from Malaga from Newcastle along with a hire car via CarJet who, incidentally, we have found to be consistently good value (this time supplied through Goldcar – top tip take out the top up insurance at a cost of c£14 for 7 days hire as it covers damage to wheels, tyres etc).

We decided to opt for short stays per Paradore in order to provide some variety and for that reason we selected the accommodation in easy reach of each other to minimise our travel time and maximise our one week away.

The Paradore website is informative and easy to use and we planned an itinerary taking in Paradores at Ronda, Antequera, Nerja and Gibralfaro and proceeded to book online. We were able to reserve accommodation at the first three Paradore but the Malaga old town Paradore was fully booked (second top tip – book well in advance there).

The booking arrangements were less easy to transact because of this – by virtue of having to select alternative accommodation – their email correspondence prompted us to reply to a non-responsive fax number. Eventually all was confirmed, but it wasn’t a smooth process. Nor was selecting the best value tariff package. There are 5 night deals (but without breakfast or dinner) special offers for the over 55s’etc, some are mutually exclusive – top tip – maybe call the Paradore booking team if you speak the language or ask someone to call on your behalf if you don’t. We didn’t. Alternatively, you could book through Keytel, who are the official UK representatives – contact details below.

A month after booking we found ourselves in our hire car leaving Malaga airport around 10.00 one beautiful Sunday morning. We took the coast road down to Marbella and then headed inland on the A397. The route took us over the Serronia de Ronda mountain range – and provided stunning scenery before dropping down to the plain and on to Ronda. The approach thereto was less than memorable – Ronda is a sprawling conurbation – not at all attractive until one enters the old town and then onto the Puente Nuevo over the gorge to arrive at the Paradore (the old town hall splendidly converted) which sits at the head of the gorge itself, albeit next to a MacDonalds – fortunately with suitably discrete signage – but nevertheless a surprise. A journey of c110 kms from the airport, by the way.

We stayed two nights at the Ronda Paradore; we found it to be a very comfortable, even boasting its own modest grounds and swimming pool notwithstanding its location. We ate out both evenings, preferring to dine al fresco at balcony restaurants overlooking the gorge in order to enjoy the spectacular sunsets.

On day three we headed for Antequera (a journey of 90 kms) – which was a completely different experience – an ultra modern place – compared with Ronda. The Paradore had large grounds with a superb swimming pool yet was only a 5-minute walk from the town centre. Paradores seek to promote the regional cuisines of Spain, so we decided to dine in and weren’t disappointed – the tasting menu was excellent value – but be careful because what you have booked deal wise may not be properly reflected in the bill when you check out. We went out the following night – for the variety this provides.
On day 5, we headed back to the coast – a short journey towards Malaga then east on the coastal highway to Nerja (100 kms). This Paradore was more like a conventional hotel but nothing wrong with that. Perched on the cliffs above the beach, the location provided fine views of the bay. In all we had a very pleasant one night stay there.

So on day 6 it was off to Malaga Golf – 70 kms – (our alternative to Gibralfaro) for our last two nights. As the name suggests, this Paradore hosts a splendid golf course and club. The accommodation was excellent, although the swimming pool was tired. Unless one is an aviation anorak or a golf addict, this place does not have a great deal to commend it! We dined in on our first night there – the food was fine but again when it came to check out, what was charged was not in accordance with what we had booked deal-wise. We are talking tens of Euros here by the way, not hundreds, but it’s a bore to have to challenge a bill and we Brits aren’t very good at that.

On our last evening we drove into Malaga – only 10 kms away – and had superb tapas in a little bar in the old town. Perfect.

In all, we enjoyed our Paradores experience. The offering is of a consistently high standard and the objectives of the organisation are to be commended. We would stay in them again, but we would choose only Paradores that were “special”, be it by virtue of their location, history or architecture. Applying that criteria, I would stay again at both Ronda and Antequera – not that we make a habit of returning to places we’ve stayed before.

“Paradores website”:https://www.parador.es/en
“UK Paradores representatives”:https://keytel.co.uk/index.php?mid=32&gclid=CJ_PzOSlvagCFUdP4QodXVruBw
“Carjet”:https://www.carjet.com

DC

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.