Paradores - 5 Night Card - Questions
 

Has anyone on the boards purchased a Parador 5 Night Card?

It seems like it's a good deal, 450 Euros for 5 nights, in the same or different Paradores, in standard accommodation.

What was your experience like? Is it difficult going from Parador to Parador with the card? Are there lots of "extra" expenses that render purchasing the card pointless?

it`s a good deal but many of the more "in demand" paradors have a supplement on top of the card, so read the fine print.

It is also not valid everyday in SOME paradors. so you must plan accordingly. it is basically a numbers game. you must do the math on where you are going.

there are also deals for over 60, and under 30, i think, that do not require a five night purchase.

I used it some years ago, I had no problem at all. Have tried to buy one last year but have a problem: each Parador has a limited number of rooms reserved for this program, and some of the paradors I checked were booked-out. So I recommend to make your reservations prior to purchasing the card (saying always that you shall be using this card).
About extra expenses, I had none. It seems not the best rooms (or with better views) are reserved for this program, but I remember no difference.

You've been given good answers. The only thing I can add is that similar deals can sometimes be had through discount channels like bancotel. We recently stayed at the Segovia parador for 90€ per night, and had to pay an additional 7% tax on top.

Yes, simply be sure that the card can be used in the paradores you wish , the days you wish. Great advice by Josele, call the paradores or e mail them to make a reservation, they will hold it for a day or so till you fax the credit card number. If you have what you wish then give the credit card and buy the Paradores 5 nights card. We qualify for the Años Dorados, again here you have to be sure that the parador you wish has a vacancy the days you wish and also that the Años Dorados is valid. But it sounds more complicated that it is. They have great information, regarding what is valid each day of the week in their web side www.parador.es.
When I can, I adapt our reservations to the days the
Años Dorados is valid. Very rarely I have to pay full rate. Años Dorados is good because also gives 35%
off the Breakfast which is excellent and ranges around 13 euros per pday.

We just used it and it was GREAT! Plan to use it again in the future. No extra expenses except for what you would normally incure, such as restaurant changes, but otherwise, it's a terrific bargain. Also, joined the Amigos Club and that was worthwhile too (complimentary drinks upon arrival). My hats off to the Spainish government for this well conceived, well run operation.

We just got back from a trip staying in 7 paradors (2 nights each). We made our reservations months in advance and qualified for the senior rate at each one. We also joined the Amigos program and received free welcoming drinks and free parking (not always necessary). We were able to qualify for a free night on Amigos points near the end of the trip. No extra expenses except what you charge at the bar or restaurant. We got some good rooms for about 100 Euros per night.

I plan to use the Anos Dorados too. It is now called "Golden Days" on the parador site. Lordy, we're now down to DAYS!

FLJudi,
so nice you had a good experience with Paradores. I have the Amigos card as well. Would you mind citing the Paradores you stayed in?

We stayed two nights each at the Paradors de Segovia, Lerma, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Hondarribia, Limpias, Calahorra, Siguenza. Liked Lerma the most and Calahorra the least. They all were excellent values for the money, even the pricey Hondarribia which was an excellent location for visiting San Sebastian.

On an earlier trip we stayed at the Segovia, Avila, Cuenca and Chinchon paradores and can say they were all very nice. Segovia was out of the way, the others were perfectly located. On our last trip we also visited Hondarribia, Santillana del Mar and Leon. Leon is a beautiful building.
On our last trip I found getting the Dias do Oro discount very difficult, though I booked months in advance, and could not work out the 5 night card at all, with each place's restrictions. But if it can be worked out, they are a great experience. I do remember when it was a bargain to stay there with that senior discount.