We are trying to decide between the Hotel Cardenal and the Parador de Toledo. We are looking for a quiet hotel in order to enjoy Toledo. We plan to stay two nights in October. Any information you might have on either of these hotels would be helpful.

I loved the Cardenal. It was quiet, had great food and lovely gardens.

Hi, kleroux -

I also loved the Cardenal. And for my purposes, the Cardenal was much better located than the Parador.

Hope that helps!

The 4-star Parador de Toledo has just recently been renovated and is a great place, with terrific views of the city, and one of the best options if you're driving to Toledo. It is a bit more expensive Cardenal, but you may be able to find a decent rate, depending on when you will be there, and if there are any specials.

The Cardenal is actually rated as a hostal, but if you are not driving, and want to be in the city, then it would be the better choice of the two.

kleroux,
I've stayed at both, and there are advantages to both.
The advantage of the Hostal del Cardenal-it's tucked into the arab walls, right at the Bisagra gate, and you can walk down along the walls to the Remonte, the escalator that takes you up to the historic quarter. Since it's surrounded by gardens, you'll have peace and quiet at night. The only noise will be the noise of the maids in the am, opening and closing the wooden shutters, which do make a racket, but by then you'll probably be off touring. The inn has lots of nooks and crannies where you can sit, read and relax.

Rates should be significantly cheaper at the Cardenal unless the Parador is running a special web rate for your dates in October. Parador.es is aggressively pricing their web-only (Tarifa única) rates in '09. We've found great Parador deals so far, as low as 60 euros for an upcoming trip.

The advantage to the Parador-the gorgeous sunrise and sunset views of the entire city, lying below-the same view that El Greco immortalized in his canvas, Vista de Toledo. If you were traveling in the heat of the summer with kids, I'd say go up to the Parador and enjoy the pool, but in October, it will be closed (unheated and seasonal).

Here;s a compromise, best of both worlds-stay at the Hostal del Cardenal, have one meal there in their dining room or outdoor terrace, weather permitting, and drive (or taxi) up to the Parador at sunset for a drink at the bar and to soak up the views.

Thank you all for your help. We did get a "senior" rate at the Parador for the first night, but they don't offer it over a weekend, so rather than change hotels, I think we'll take your suggestion, stay at the Cardinal and go to the Parador for a drink and to enjoy the view.

My husband and I will be in Toledo for 2 nights this May. We will probably stay in the city (on our 3-week itinerary, this is the only hotel we haven't booked yet) but will be arriving on a Sunday from Granada. We would like to stop in for a drink, and enjoy the view from the Parador in the late afternoon before heading into town. Are the Parador bars/terraces/restaurants open on a Sunday evening?

And while on the topic of Toledo, I'm still undecided between the Hostal del Cardenal or one of the "less-expensive-but-highly-recommended-on-TA" hotels such as Pintor El Greco, Santo Tome or Santa Isabel. Any recommendations? I don't want to sound cheap, but in the current economy, one must mind one's pennies.

kcfromcanada,
Yes, the Parador bars/terraces/restaurants are open daily.

I know the Pintor El Greco, and while it's a perfectly nice budget property well located very near the major sightseeing of historic Toledo, it can't match the Cardenal for antique filled charm. But if price is the deciding factor for you, you'll find the 3 star Sercotel Pintor El Greco perfectly adequate for your needs.
www.hotel-pintorelgreco.com

Maribel - thank you. We'll definitely plan on a glass of wine at the Parador terrace.

I'm happy to report that serendipity has offered a helping hand with my hotel for Toledo. I had actually attempted to make a reservation at the Pintor El Greco and eventually given up (lost in the Spanish). The Hostal del Cardenal had been holding stubbornly at 121E/night.

Today I checked their website again - just in case - and they have double rooms for our dates at an unbelievable 60E/night, including breakfast! (Two night stay, Sun-Thurs.)

This is so good I think I'll post it as a separate thread for other travellers.

I loved Toledo you will have so much fun there! As a world traveler it was unique and something I had never experienced.

kcfromcanada.
Yes, please do post this. I'm really quite amazed at how hotel rates have dropped in the last few months. That is truly a great rate for you at the Cardenal. Glad it worked out so well for you.