Great Location in Seville and other Spain Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Sandy and Allan at Hotel

by deecat , 2 more photos

While in Seville, we stayed in the lovely small hotel, Hosteria del Laurel. Its location is perfect. Located in the Barrio de Santa Cruz near the Hospital de los Venerables, the Cathedral & Giralda, as well as the Reales Alcazares.

We walked everywhere.

In addition, the hotel has a great restarurant.
The hotel has 21 air conditioned rooms with private baths, direct dial phone, color TV. The rooms are not large, but they are quite comfortable & immaculate.

Unique Qualities: The location is its finest asset.Tb

It is small and intimate with lovely rooms, beautiful bathrooms, and a wonderful restarurant. There is also an outdoor eating area where we had afternoon drinks.

We were impressed with the beautiful wood throughout the hotel and the many elegant arches.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120 » Currency Converter
Phone: 95-422 02 95-421 07 59
Address: aPlaza de los Venerables, 5 41004 Sevilla

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Hotel Don Miguel: Outstanding Setting in Ronda

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Updated by deecat

on Apr 4, 2007

View from our hotel in Ronda

by deecat

While in Ronda, we stayed at the Hotel Don Miguel which overlooks the New Bridge & the dramatic gorge that slices the town.

The guest rooms are very pleasant, simple, and immaculate. The bed has a wooden headboard; there is a wooden desk and chair, tiled floors, off-white matching bedspreads & drapes.

A fine restaurant resides within the confines of the hotel, and one level below the restaurant is a guest breakfast room where one can eat inside or outside on the terrace.

Unique Qualities: The location of this simple hotel is fabulous, and this setting surely gives Hotel Don Miguel an "edge up".

When you make a reservation, request a room overlooking the gorge!

I took the photograph that accompanies this tip from our hotel window.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120 » Currency Converter
Address: Plaza de Espana, 3 29400 Ronda (Malaga), Spain

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Hosteria Mont Sant in Xativa: Valencia Oranges, Gardens, and Views

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on Apr 5, 2007

Hosteria Mont Sant in Xativa

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The Mont Sant Hosteria is a small hotel in Xativa in the "Land of Valencia."

Supposedly, following the death of El Cid, Xativa was conquered by the Almoravids & Almohades; these same Arab governors beautifed Xativa by adding a castle above the town, and then King Jaime II built a Cistercian monastery, the Monastery of Santa Maria Magdalena de la Algema on the Holy Mount or MONTSANT of Xativa.

This is the location of The La Hosteria, on the road up to the Castle and is bordered by defensive walls.

The setting is extraordinary...remains of Arab walls, a Cistern, a canal, a lookout point, 15,000 square metres of gardens, and an ancient Bernardos Monastery! The town of Xativa is pronounced CATIVA.

Seven rooms are available, all on upper elevations to see views of the town and the Castle.
All rooms are fully equipped & immaculate. A swimming pool is in one of the gardens; there is a gymnasium with sauna and jacuzzi. They were building ten wood cabins in the upper garden area. [Which are, no doubt, completed by now.]

Our room had a private deck which looked out over the spectacular vistas.

There is also a wonderful restaurant and breakfast room (breakfast included).

Unique Qualities: Location, Location, Location!

This hotel has it all. . .Arab castle above and red-roofed city below, mountains and Mediterranean beyond, gardens with orange trees and 700 newly planted palm trees.

The mountain streams are chanelled into a 250,000-litre cistern under the garden. We enjoyed the balconies, terraces, and quiet corners that the advertisement offered.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120 » Currency Converter
Phone: +34-962 27 50 81
Address: Subida al Castillo, s/n Xativa-Valencia-Spain

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Hotel Meson Castilla: Spanish Flair and Super Location

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Updated by deecat

on Apr 5, 2007

Bedroom in Hotel Meson Castilla in

Barcelona

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While in Barcelona, we stayed in the delightful Hotel Meson Castilla. It is located in a quiet area about 100 metres from Plaza Cataluna and the Plaza Universidad, next to the Contemporary Art Museum.

It has 60 rooms with en-suite bathrooms, TV, telephone & air. A buffet breakfast is served in the attractive breakfast room.

It was a comfortable hotel that was decorated throughout in typical Castillian style with ornate carved and painted furnishings, wood paneling and rich colors in the fabrics used. [It is certainly not my style, but I enjoyed it just as well.]

Unique Qualities: The hotel's location was excellent for walking everywhere we wished to go.

This hotel was quiet...enough away from the commotion so that sleeping was easy.

Good buffet breakfast is included in the price.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120 » Currency Converter
Phone: (93) 318 21 82
Address: Valldoncella, 5 (Junto Plazas Castilla

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Hotel Europa: Independent Hotel in Ideal Location

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on Apr 5, 2007

View from hotel room

by deecat , 1 more photos

In Madrid, we stayed at the Hotel Europa just off Puerta del Sol square. This is good location because its in a pedestrian street (no cars allowed) inside of the cultural, artistic, commercial, & entertainment areas.

The hotel's location affords an easy visit to the Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Mayor Square & other smaller museums.

The hotel has 70 rooms with private baths. Also in the room: hair dryers, radio-TV with international channels, direct phone, and safety box (a rental). There is a bar, cafeteria, laundry, fax, car rental desk, and parking.

Unique Qualities: Again, Location is most important. We walked everywhere. It was a clean hotel with Spanish furnishings and an intimate atmosphere. The service was good also.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80 » Currency Converter
Phone: (34) 915 214 696
Address: Calle del Carmen, 4 28013 Madrid
Directions: Right off Puerta del Sol square

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Monasterio de Piedra: A Former Cistercian Monastery in Nuevalos

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Written by deecat

on Apr 5, 2007

Monasterio De Piedra Hotel

by deecat , 3 more photos

Photos:

1. Monasterio De Piedra
2. Long hallways inside hotel
3. Allan in preserve with cascades
4. Dee in preserve beside waterfall

On Friday, March 12, 1999. we left Barcelona and headed to Nuevalos to reach the famed nature preserve and the hotel where we would stay that night. This was not just any hotel; it was a former Cistercian monaster. Thus, the hotel is massive; it is called Monasterio de Piedra. We loved all the architectural styles of Mudejar, Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque.

Our room was quite large with a balcony that overlooked gardens. It was clean, rather plain, and, oh so comfortable. Except, because of its size [even the halls are enormous], it was rather cool.
It is famous for its wonderful restaurant where we ate that evening.

It has 61 rooms, private parking, a swimming pool, gardens, and terraces. All rooms have private baths.

It also had a bar which we visited before our dinner. Also before dinner, we took an hour guided tour of the monastery and winery, which was educational, interesting, and quite informative.

Unique Qualities: What is so wonderful about Monasterio de Piedra is its location right in the nature preserve. That afternoon, we took a two hour walk in the park. It's an island of green with a thick river-side woods, caves, waterfalls, ponds, cascades, grottos, and mountains in the distance!

A small warning: you have to be in pretty good shape because of the steep climbs. I lost my sweater and backtracked..one of the climbs was 180 steps up and then back down.

I highly recommend Monasterio de Piedra, its restaurant, and the nature preserve.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80 » Currency Converter
Phone: 976 84 90 11
Address: Monasterio de Piedra, 50210 Nuevalos [Zaragoza] Spain

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The Posada De San Jose Hotel: Views Over the Huecar River Gorge

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on Apr 5, 2007

Hanging Houses of Cuenca

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In the lovely small town of Cuenca, we stayed in the heart of the old historic quarter in a 17th century building called The Posada De San Jose Hotel. It has magnificent views over the Huecar River Gorge, a privileged location. The rooms are comfortably furnished and homemade Tapas and other typical regional dishes are served. Breakfast is served in the cozy dining room where there is an impressive view.

Note: The entrance is easy to miss because it is just an antique doorway with a niche alcove about it featuring a charming statue of San Jose holding the infant Christ. [Don't be discouraged if you miss it the first time you try to find it.]

This is a family-owned hotel, and the owner speaks perfect English.

We asked for a room with a view and got it.
It was incredible.

There are 21 double rooms.

Unique Qualities: We liked everything about this hotel. First, we had a lovely room overlooking the gorge with fantastic views. The bed was hard, the way we want it.

The place was immaculate. They spoke English so that made it convenient to ask questions. The location was in the antique quarter near everything we wanted to see.

Breakfast for 500 Pts. in 1999

Jennifer Morter and Antonio Cortinas: Owners

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80 » Currency Converter
Phone: (69) 21.13.00
Address: Julian Romero 4, 16001 Cuenca, Sjpain

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Hostal Del Cardenal: In the Heart of the Imperial City of Toledo

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on Apr 5, 2007

Sandy in front of Hostal Del

Cardenal in Toledo

by deecat , 3 more photos

Photos:
1. Our friend Sandy Gray on steps leading to Hotel Del Cardinal in Toledo, Spain.
2. Allan drinking water from aquaduct in front of hotel.
3. Allan and Dee in front of Hotel Del Cardinal.
4. Sandy and Dee in Sandy's room looking out over courtyard of hotel; Allan was in our room across the way when he took the picture.

While in Toledo, we stayed at the Hostal Del Cardenal. It is a Toledan Palace of the 18th Century and a former summer residence of Cardinal Lorenzana, archbishop of the city.

In addition to its excellent location, it has beautiful Moorish gardens, and a restaurant with outstanding cuisine.

It is so old-world; with its arches, stained glass, and vintage restaurant that it takes you back in time.

Our hotel room was lovely. It overlooked a court yard and had a modern, gorgeous bathroom. The hotel is framed by the ancient city wall amidst lovely gardens.

Unique Qualities: This charming hotel has one of the best Restaurants in Spain. [ See restaurant tip.]

It's location is enchanting, beautiful, and so convenient.

The large rooms and terrific bathrooms just add to the location's ambience.

Vintage stuff!

The impressive hotel has only 27 rooms with air, telephone, satellite TV.

Breakfast is not part of the hotel price, but a delicious Breakfast is served for 850 Pts. in 1999.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120 » Currency Converter
Phone: (9) 25-22-49 00
Address: Paseo de Recaredo, 24 45004 Toledo

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Parador De Alcaniz in Teruel: Overlooking Medieval Alcaniz, Palace Parador

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on Apr 5, 2007

Dee waving from Parador window

by deecat , 4 more photos

Photos:
1. Front view of Parador De Alcaniz in Teruel [Dee is waving from the second from right arched window!]
2. Reconstructed part that is Parador Alaniz plus the ruins.
3. View of countryside from our hotel window.
4. One of Tile Paintings on stairwell of Parador De Alcaniz.
5. Hallway of the hotel that led to our room.

Parador De Alcaniz sits on top of the hill above the town of Alcaniz & is surrounded by the fertile Maestrazgo valley. It is at the top of the Cerro Pui-Pinos Mountains.

It is a majestic 18th-century Argonese palace & was once a 12th-century castle. The castle became the headquarter of the Order of Calatrava in 1179. It's seen many renovations and expansions over the years. It is ALSO KNOWN AS "La Concordia"

The rooms have extensive views framed by thick castle walls and wooden windows. (Our windows in our room were set so high that steps have been built-in in order to reach them!)

The furnishings are made of rustic wood. The bedspreads are pale blue, & the floors are burnished red tile covered with colorfully patterned rugs.

All rooms have air conditioning, television, modern in-suite bathrooms, and a mini-bar.

This is really an intimate Parador--only 12 rooms. The reason it looks so much bigger on the outside is because much of the space has been given to spacious beamed hallways, sitting areas, a beautiful, high-ceilinged dining room, and a handsome lounge.

A 12th-century tower (which was constructed by the Knights of the Order of Calatrava) still exists on the grounds. A small cloister & the remains of walls that date from the 12th through the 15th centuries share the Parador's dramatic hilltop setting.

Unique Qualities: Ideal setting for a romantic stay. The decor of this charming place is sober but in good taste:

The bathrooms are spacious and attractive.

This is a tranquil, lovely setting for a slow-paced vacation.

The town of Alcaniz has many squares with porticos and narrow streets with balconies, which help to maintain the town's medieval charm.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120 » Currency Converter
Phone: (78) 83.04.00
Address: Castillo de Calatravos, s/n 44600 Alcaniz (Teruel), Spain
Directions: On the top of a hill dominating the town of Alcaniz. Alcaniz is located 105 km from Zaragonza along the main N-232 road toward Madrid.

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Parador Duques De Cardona: Spain's Most Dramatic Parador

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Updated by deecat

on Apr 5, 2007

Parador Duques De Cardona

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