My wife and I were in Portugal this summer, and we stayed at several Pousadas. We LOVED the experience and are now looking forward to Spain's Paradores next summer. <BR> <BR>We like clean, quiet, beautiful, and (on our vacations at least) money is not a concern. Recommendations?? <BR>Thanks!!! <BR>Steve

Leaving Sunday and staying primarily at Paradors. There's a great website at www.parador.es (there's also one for Portugal). We are staying at the following (based upon our research and our travel agent who is Ms. Spain): <BR> <BR>Parador San Francisco Granada (in the Alhambra and books months in advance). Our travel agent has never had anyone who was able to book there. We lucked out. Parador de Ronda (here it's a great location on the gorge but too modernized inside). In Toledo we are staying at the Hotel Pintor El Greco as it is quaint with a better location than the parador. Drop me an email in mid September if you want to hear more based upon our trip. Good luck, we're psyched.

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Steve, <BR> <BR>We have stayed in several paradors and never been disappointed no matter what the location. We always search out the "historical" ones rather than the "modern" ones. So far we have loved the paradors in: Ubeda, Almagro, Granada, Siguenza, Cuenca, and have dined in the Toledo location also. They can't be beat and except for a few very popular ones they are an incredible bargain. <BR> <BR>Maria

The question should be "Where are the best Paramours?"

Steve, <BR>Take a look at the Karen Brown Inns and Itineraries for Spain. Personally, I thought the parador at the Alhambra was overrated; beautiful public areas, but the rooms (our at least ours) was fairly repro-modern. The parador des Duques (KB has it..outside Barcelona) is beautiful, <BR>but isolated. (former convent, I think) <BR>The parador in Galicia, St. James? has a great reputaion and is a tourist attraction as well. <BR> <BR>Michele <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

The Toledo Parador is not in the old town, but on a ridge across the river, with an awesome view of the old city. (Email me if you'd like a photo of the view from the Parador terrace.) The building is stunningly beautiful, in a 30s sort of rustic way, the rooms deluxe, and best of all it has a nice big car park, and taxis to the old town are cheap. <BR> <BR>We found the restaurant stuffy beyond all expectations, and the nights we were there the menu was heavily tilted toward what wife called the "Dark Disney" end of the food spectrum, with venison, lots of pork dishes which we don't eat, and a couple of rabbit entrees. (Visions of Bambi, Thumper, and Porky - wait, he's Warners'). The Israeli family next to us got rather stroppy with one of the suits over the menu and managed to get a beef steak, with a side order of attitude. When does elegant become snobby? <BR>

We spent a month in Spain this summer and I planned part of our itinerary around the paradors. We stayed in seven, and we liked all of them. One of them was modern, in Benicarlo, and it was a lovely rest stop, right on the Mediterranean. All the others were historical and very lovely. <BR>Our favorite was Cardona, a castle on a hill in Catalonia, rather out-of-the-way, but another nice restful stop. Had a great dinner with duck paella and a champagne breakfast. Cardona has a courtyard, small cloiser, chapel and sentry towers. <BR>We also liked the parador in Avila, which has a beautiful garden nestled against the city walls, and on in Oropesa, located between Toledo and Caceres, which is a palace parador with a 10th century castle adjacent and a gorgeous swimming pool. <BR>We also stayed at the paradors in Caceres, Zafra and Tortosa, which was another wonderful castle. <BR>We elected not to stay at the parador in Granada, which is very expensive, and stayed instead right next door at the quaint and charming Hotel America. In Toledo, because we wanted to be in town, we chose to stay at the Hotel Pintor El Greco, which was also nice.

I have heard the parador at Carmona is really great (can't remember the exact name). Carmona (just outside of Sevilla) is supposed to be quite an interesting place to visit.

Dear Steve: <BR> <BR>We have been fortunate enough to stay at several paradores, including the one on the Alhambra hill in Granada and the one in Santiago de Compostela in Galacia. These are the priciest and most difficult to get into, but we found them well worth the effort and cost. The location on the Alhambra is magical. You must reserve very early (10-12 months in advance is about the minimum). We have always had good luck dealing with Marketing Ahead in New York (212-686-9213), one of the few United States booking agencies licensed by the Spanish government to book parador reservations. <BR> <BR>The parador in Nerja on the Costa del Sol is a modern building, but located on a cliff above the beach with incredible views of the Med. Every room has an ocean view! You can take an elevator down to the beach but we just relaxed around the pool. Definitely the nicest hotel in Nerja. <BR> <BR>Though I haven't been myself, others have told me that the paradores in Leon (16th century monastery), Toldedo (magnificent views of the city - what El Greco painted), and Santillana del Mar (17th century mansion in famous medieval town) are also wonderful. I have seen but not been in the parador in Segovia, which is located on the outskirts of town and must have breathtaking views of the city (remember that taxis are very cheap in Spain, and that once you are in Segovia, all the main sights are in easy walking distance of each other). <BR> <BR>A word about parador restaurants. We have found them to be about the only good (very good) hotel restaurants we have ever eaten at, and considering what you get, the prices are quite reasonable. Being part of the government-run parador chain, the restaurants are required to highlight the regional cuisine of whatever part of Spain they are located in. Typically, at least half the items on parador lunch and dinner menus are traditional local specialties. Since items like pork and game are important elements in the traditional cuisine of most parts of Spain, it is hardly surprising that they turn up frequently on parador menus. On the other hand, at breakfast, parador restaurant are more like modern chain hotels, serving up an extensive American-style buffet, which is not always easy to find in Spain, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. This is really appreciated by those of us who can adjust to dinner at 9:00 p.m. or later, but who really need a hearty breakfast to make it through a strenuous day of sight-seeing. Marketing Ahead can make reservations with breakfast buffet included(though I don't know if this is cheaper than paying a la carte). <BR> <BR>I hope that you enjoy Spain and the paradores as much as we have. <BR> <BR>mmgr

we stayed several times at spain, only at more or less typical paradores. So it's important, what you want to do and what you want. <BR>Typical historical and very good paradores are Chinchon, Siguenza,Zamora; all very good and not very expensive. <BR>The best service at a new parador you will find in Plasencia. Have a stay there and visist the market on every tuesday, you will like the scene. the parador was the best one we visit this august. An other very fine parador is Cadiz; modern but with all comfort and an outstandig view. <BR>If you wnat to visit Sevilla, you should stay at Carmona. The rooms with the wooden balconies have the best view; the restaurant is very good, a hudge outdoor-pool is there. <BR>you should realize, that there are differences between the paradors, you should take the 4-star-ones; theo other are not so comfortable. <BR>For further information you should look at the paradores home-page. www.paradores.es <BR> <BR>

Steve, <BR> <BR>I've stayed in 5 Paradores in all. My votes: <BR>BEST LOCATION: Granada <BR>BEST ROOMS: Santiago de Compostella <BR>BEST FOOD: Pontevedra <BR>The last one's a bit out of left field, but it's a lovely little town and a nice place to wind down after some hectic days in Madris/Barcelona/Seville. The seafood at the Parador is to die for. <BR> <BR>Bobby

P.S: My wife and I are traveling to Portugal next spring, and we hope to stay at the Pousadas. Which do you recommend? <BR>Bobby

These were the places we stayed in our two weeks in Portugal this summer. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to contact me. <BR>Regards, <BR>Steve <BR> <BR> <BR>Ritz Four Seasons Hotel <BR>Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 88 <BR>1099-039 Lisbon, Portugal <BR>Tel. 011 351 21 381 14 00 <BR>Fax. 011 351 21 383 17 83 <BR>Very classy hotel in Lisbon <BR> <BR>Bussaco Palace Hotel <BR>3050, Mealhada, Portugal <BR>Tel. 011 351 231 930101 <BR>Fax. 011 351 231 930509 <BR>Absolutely, positively MUST stay here a couple nights!! <BR> <BR>Monte de Santa Luzia Pousada <BR>4901-909 Viana Do Castelo, Portugal <BR>Tel. 011 351 258 82 88 89 <BR>Fax. 011 351 258 82 88 92 <BR>Tremendous place IF the weather is nice! <BR> <BR>Rainha Santa Isabel Pousada <BR>7100-509 Estremoz, Portugal <BR>Tel. 011 351 268 33 20 75 <BR>Fax. 011 351 268 33 20 79 <BR>Beautiful place in a beautiful location! <BR> <BR>Vilamoura Marinotel <BR>8125 Vilamoura <BR>Algarve, Portugal <BR>Tel. 011 351 289 389 988 <BR>Fax. 011 351 289 389 869 <BR>IF you want to stay on/near the water, this is the place. Quite American, though. <BR>Steve <BR> <BR> <BR>

Steve, <BR> <BR>We spent 2 weeks in Spain and the Paradors were the highlights of the trip. We stayed at Hondaribbia, Olite, El Saler, Ubeda, Carmona, and Ronda. Carmona was my favorite (get a room on the top floor, or the second to the to if full), followed by Hondaribbia. We got a great deal in Carmona, too. By staying 2 nights we got breakfast and dinner included for the additional price of breakfast alone! <BR> <BR>I thought Carmona was a very plesant and interesting town. We also enjoyed the castle in Olite and the beautiful architechure in Ubeda, even if the paradors were not as great as our favorites. Even the modern ones in El Saler and Ronda had large comfortable rooms. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip.

We were in Spain during May and stayed at three Paradores. We were apprehensive regarding the Parador in Granada as we had heard the staff could be aloof and difficult. We did not find this to be the case at all. The Parador is quiet but not stuffy and really quite beautiful. I made our reservation by fax at the end of December for mid-May without difficulty. In my request, I mentioned that we wanted to be in the old part of the Parador. Our room -- number 215 -- turned out to be a beautiful suite with a spacious living room overlooking the gardens. The price was 33000 PT which at today's exhange is about 178 American dollars without the 7% tax. We liked the ambiance of the whole place and especially enjoyed the breakfasts that featured specialties of the region. The staff was professional and friendly. We'd return in a minute. We also stayed at the Parador in Nerja. Its exterior looks very institutional but as someone else mentioned, every room has a view and what a view! The grounds are spacious and beautifully maintained. The elevator to the beach is very convenient and a definite plus. The Parador at Ronda is new and yes, quite modern but its setting is spectacular. Be sure to ask for a room with balcony overlooking the countryside (this would be in the back of the Parador). The breakfast at the Ronda Parador was one of the best in terms of featuring (and labeling) all the region's specialities. We enjoyed dinner at a near-by restaurant -- Tragabuches -- which was excellent! We didn't stay at the Parador in Arcos but had dinner there and found it very acceptable. There's a terrace (for drinks or just sitting) with great views of the countryside. And while the Hostal del Gavina in S'Agaro (on the Costa Brava about an hour from Barcelona) is not a Parador, it is luxurious. We were in Spain for a month, so took a break to just relax there. They have a web site (can't remember the name but a quick search of Hostal del Gavina should do it) that gives good views of the hotel. Elegant place! Incidentially, I made all our reservations by fax stating exactly what we wanted in terms of view etc. All places faxed me back within two days and sometimes within the hour. <BR>Hope this info helps. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Our favorite Paradore in Spain is definitely in Santiago de Compostela!! The location is perfect - right on the main square, next to the magnificent Cathedral and the wonderful old town. We held a conference there and everyone loved it. We stayed at the paradore in Leon and it too is magnificent. The location in Granada is perfect for visiting the Alhambra - an easy walk, and we were very pleased with our stay. The paradores in Toledo and Segovia both have magnificent views of the town. If you don't stay there, go for a drink or a meal to see the view. We toured around the paradore at Santillana del Mar and loved it. It's right in the center of this fabulous old town.

In addition to the ones mentioned, I vote for Alarcon. I suppose it's my favorite because I was married there . It's very intimate (only 13 rooms). Be sure to request one of the 5 rooms in the tower (#5 is the best with direct access to the top of the tower) The rooms overlook the emabalse of Alarcon. The dining room is majestic with vaulted ceilings and medieval furnishings. It's one of the oldest (if not the oldest) built in the 8th century. I think it's one of the best kept secrets! <BR>By the way, before you start planning your Parador vacation, sign up for the card "Amigos de los Paradores" (Friends of the Paradors). They not only offer points (which require many nights to actually accumulate enough for a free night) but also special prices for members. For example, they just were offering 7 nights in a specified region for $300. They also send you a nice book/brochure with a description of all the sights, a map for handy planning, and a nifty membership card . It may take a month or two to receive so inquire now.

Recently we were on an Elderhostel tour stopping at three paradores. Trujillo: less fancy than others, the Plaza Mayor ten minutes away over awkward stones, the castle a more daunting climb above. Cambados: Gorgeous pool, nice rooms, in a bayside town on the coast of Galicia. I could have spent more time there. Santiago de Compostela: deserves all the raves posted by others on this list We had the luck of joining ordinary pilgrims from England at a weekday Mass in English. The warmth of the English church (including their bishop) contrasted with the Saturday evening Mass in Galego, with less lay involvement and only one song.

We are in Spain now, and have so far stayed at the Paradors in Leon and Santiago. Surprisingly, we found the one in Leon far nicer than the one in Santiago. We had not only a spectacular room in Leon, but a truly magnificent dinner with impeccable service. In Santiago, our room was a little threadbare (Iīm not talking aging antiques here, but dirty carpet and holes in the bed linens.) And our dinner was a big disappointment. I did the "regional tasting menu" and had plain muddy tasting oysters, a totally bland avocado soup that even pepper and salt couldnīt help, and piece of roast chicken that was supposed to be stewed in wine, olives, sundried tomatoes, etc., but was like a plain half chicken right off the grill, with no other flavor. In addition, we finally had to get up and walk over to get our wine and fill our glasses as we never saw a server between courses. Nor was there ever a smile or an extra comment from any of the staff, unlike at Leon where they were constantly checking with us, smiling, and making sure it was a most memorable evening. In addition, although they have parking at Santiago, we had to wait nearly an hour to get our car in the morning when we were anxious to leave for the day. We stayed there two days. Next Sunday we are staying at the Parador in Ronda, hope it is more like Leon than Santiago.