Parador

A parador (Spanish pronunciation: [paɾaˈðor]), in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, is a kind of luxury hotel, usually located in a converted historic building such as a monastery or castle. Parar means to stop, halt or stay.

Paradores de Turismo de España is a chain of Spanish luxury hotels. The enterprise was founded by Alfonso XIII of Spain as a means to promote tourism in Spain, with the first hotel opening in 1928 in Gredos, Ávila. This state-run business has been profitable. The hotels are often located in adapted castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings. They add to the attractions of heritage tourism and provide uses for large historic buildings. The Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos in Santiago de Compostela is considered to be one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the world, and one of the finest Spanish paradors.

They are located from Galicia in the north-west through Catalonia to Andalusia in the south of Spain, and the Canary Islands. Paradors are also located in some former colonial Spanish cities in North African nations. Prices usually vary according to room, region and season.

Paradors are classified as 'Esentia' - monumental and historic hotels, 'Civia' - urban hotels, and 'Naturia' - hotels close to the coast and nature. Ninety-four Paradors are located in Spain (listed below) and one, Casa da Ínsua, in Portugal. The Portuguese equivalent, the Pousadas de Portugal, were founded in 1942, after the Spanish model.

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