We will be travel mid-March to Sevilla and further South to Malaga, Granada and then into Madrid. I do not know much about paradores. Can anyone give me a detailed description. I think of them like our b&b's or Inns. I have been told you must book six months in advance. I am looking for recommendations. Also, honest opinions of paradores vs. hotels. Is there much of a cost differential? My husband and I usually stay in Inns and love the opportunity to meet and chat with people from all over the US. However, neither of us speak Spanish and I am concerned about the language barrior. Also, the food offerings. Any advice.....? With much appreciation for any and all help.

Paradors are USUALLY very high class <BR>accomodation, often old palaces or <BR>country houses.They are more expensive <BR>but good value for what you get. <BR> A few aren't up to this standard but <BR>still charge a lot.The Spanish are sympathetic to non-spanish speakers - <BR>practise phrases on the plane,especially <BR>numbers!Sounds like you might hit Seville around Easter - best time but <BR>everyone always says book in advance at easter(I didn't twice & was OK!)Food is <BR>good & cheap - especially if you like <BR>seafood.

ET, The paradors are typically 4 star <BR>quality and price and are very nice. We <BR>have stayed at several but the ones in the most popular locations are often tough to book. However, they have a matrix of senior discounts of 35% based <BR>on location and month. We were there last March and April and took advantage <BR>of the discounts--you have to be 60+. <BR>The normal price of about $130 became <BR>less than $100---a very good deal. I would suggest you try it at Toledo and perhaps at Nerja--it will be tough in <BR>Granada--that one is always full. <BR>

The paradores are just nice hotels. Not all of them should be filled, although Granada needs about a year advance booking. We got reservations at the Parador in Arcos one month in advance. Also, you must check in before 4:00 or call them or they will give away your reservation. This isn't real clear from the confirmation letter. <BR> <BR>No matter where you stay you should definitely have lunch at least once at a Parador (we visited the Parador at Ubeda and at Ronda for lunch). Definitely world class cuisine, the best meals we ate on our trip.

Hi, et, <BR>If you haven't looked at the offerings, the main web site for the paradors is http://www.parador.es/ As already stated, they are quite nice hotels; I would also mention that in our experience they tend to be rather formal, sometimes bordering on stuffy. <BR>The view of Toledo from the Parador there is not to be missed, well worth a stop on your way to Madrid, even if you don't stay there. <BR> <BR>Another source for hotels and inns of great character is Estancias de Espana, an alliance of privately-owned properties (unlike the Paradors, which are government-owned.) We've stayed at a couple in Seville and enjoyed them. You can have a look at http://www.estanciases.es/ <BR>

Hi Et, <BR>I can only speak on the parador in Nerja (Costa del Sol, 50 or so miles east of Malaga). It looked like an office building, had pretty grounds and interior, was a 15 minute walk to town center. If you'll be in Nerja, the best place to stay, IMO, is the Hotel Balcon de Europa, in town center, right on the sea; nice, helpful staff, an ok buffet breakfast.

Hello, previous replies are most acurate. I would like to add and /or clarify aradores have nothing in common with B&B; as Bob The Navigator said most of them are rated 4 star , however some are rated 5 stars like the one in Leon which is located in an old gothic building and a few Paradores are 3 stars. Food is great,reasonable priced and the menu offers regional and international cuisine, buffet breakfast is outstanding costing aprox. 10 dollars. <BR>Last Spring we made reservations through the main office in Madrid ( by phone) and had no problem calling only a couple of months before, later in Spain we made several reservations just a few days before. Some Paradores are full most of the time such as Granada and Santiago de Compostela. Paradores are great and not speaking Spanish is no problem at all, like in any other good hotel. Often Paradores have great offers and or promotions, as Bob mentioned one if for older than 69, however there are different kind of offers, one is buying a booklet of coupons at a high discount, ....often when we arrived the front desk clerk would offer us some other kind of offer. <BR>Again Paradores have nothing in common with B&B , in my opinion they are a thousand times better than the usual B&B, <BR>for one thing you do not have to pay in advance , you proceed like with any <BR>good hotel. Buena Suerte and I do hope you find out for yourself....

Sorry...I made a misstake... 35% is available - often - for guests older than 60

ET, <BR> <BR>Looks like you are getting lots of great advice...just another comment to enlighten you. I think the parador system is incredible, but folks are right when they say some of them are not much better than regular hotels. You need to be sure that you are booking into truly historic (albeit restored) settings as many of the paradors are simply modern hotels in great spots. Again, that doesn't mean they are bad, but you might be disappointed if you were expecting a 15th century convent-type place. The best overall guide to the paraors with lots of great info on itineraries and suggested travel routes between and around the paradors is "Discovering Spain" by Michael Busselle. The photos, his rating system and the suggested driving tours are outstanding. The cost for a few of the paradors (like Granada) is +$200 but many are available at near $100 and are well worth it unless your budget requires something much less. And I repeat, dining in the paradors, even if you don't stay overnight is unbelievable and, again, if you order the Menu del Dia which is very reasonable priced you will have one of the most amazing regional cuisine meals of your life...good luck, Maria

I am so appreciative of any and all the wonderful info I have received. Many, many thanks to you all. I have started a notebook with all the responses and info I have received from this site. Pls. continue to add any and all info.....I'm beginning to feel a bit more comfortable. Again, thank you, thank you!

You've received excellent advice so far, but I will add my add my two cents anyway. <BR> <BR>I would stay at one or two paradores just for the feeling of them. I used Karen Browns' guide and found it to be extremely accurate. Many paradores are outside the city or town as many were convents or fortresses and my husband and I didn't care for that...not condusive to evening strolls. We did stay at the parador in Granada and both of us found it to be overrated. The grounds and courtyards are lovely, but the room was nothing special and the staff was efficient but overwhelmed with tourists. Which leads me to my final comment,in small hotels we met Spanish families traveling on their holidays.They were often willing to share their expertise with us and we speak little Spanish. Most of the guests in the paradores were from other countries.( We stayed in the Paradores de Duque in Carmona,(beautiful fortress) the one in Vic,(very modern), the one in <BR>Granada, and one more modern one whose name escapes me.) <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>Hope that helps. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>