In Granada, Cuenca, Santo Estevo, Corias or Chinchón. These are some of the places where old convents and monasteries have been converted, today, into privileged hotels thanks to Paradores. Emblematic places that keep within their walls a history of many centuries, where you can indulge in rest, a walk, art or the best gastronomy. Enclaves that also make a difference due to their respect and commitment to nature and the history of our heritage, from conservation and action to protect the environment.
Paradores offers a sustainable experience to the traveler with concrete and tangible actions such as the elimination of plastic in all rooms, eco, biodegradable and rechargeable amenities that respect the principles of circularity, the use of 100% renewable energy and the use of kilometer products. 0 in its gastronomic proposals.
Take note of these five establishments if you want to give yourself a 10 getaway in every way:
This is an old convent that, by decision of the Catholic Monarchs, was built on top of a Nasrid palace of which remains such as Al Qubba and the Nasrid Room are still preserved. Spending a night in the Alhambra, among gardens and fountains that recall a past where the Arab and the Christian mixed, is almost a privilege. This is the opportunity offered by the Parador de Granada, where works of art and exceptional pieces of furniture decorate the cloister and the interior rooms. Already in its restaurant and on the summer terrace, the views of the Generalife gardens await you together with the most typical cuisine. Recipes such as the remojón from Granada, the broad beans with ham, the piononos from Santa Fe or the best Nasrid dishes will make your palate happy.
It is located next to the San Pablo bridge, one of the most special places in the city, and boasts privileged views of the Hanging Houses. The convent of San Pablo dates from the 16th century and was built for the Dominican order. Today, it is one of the most representative monuments of Cuenca. For this reason, the Parador de Cuenca now houses a beautiful glass-enclosed cloister with semicircular arches and a central patio where you can have a drink on summer nights. If you are an art lover, a series by the Madrid painter Julián Casado, considered his masterpiece, is permanently exhibited in the cloister. Other of the most dazzling places in the Parador are the cafeteria, located in what was the chapel of the convent, and the swimming pool, with a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
In a natural space of original beauty in the interior of Galicia, between the Sil and Miño valleys, in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra, the Monastery of Santo Estevo promises a stay that will not be forgotten. Thanks, in part, to its three impressive cloisters, each in a different style: one Romanesque, one Gothic, and one Renaissance. The building was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1923 and has 77 rooms, all of them different. Its monumentality combines perfectly with its modern and avant-garde decoration. The Parador de Santo Estevo is one of the most important and best preserved monasteries in all of Galicia.
The old monastery of San Juan Bautista, also known as “El Escorial de Asturias” due to the forcefulness of its appearance and the austerity of its façade, reminiscent of the Herrerian style, and considered the most important Benedictine monastery in western Asturias, houses the Corias Inn. It was built between 1022 and 1044, renovated in the Renaissance style in the 16th century and, after a fire in 1744, enlarged and rebuilt in neoclassical style under the supervision of Ventura Rodríguez, the architect in charge of such prestigious projects as the Royal Palace chapel. of Madrid or the design of the famous fountains of Cibeles, Apolo and Neptuno on Paseo del Prado in Madrid.
Its impressive library shows a total of 31 paintings painted in oil that pretend to be empty frames in which a list of renowned artists in the History of Art appears. It is an installation by the Portuguese artist Rui Macedo, member of Ars Fundum. A curious fact: the remains of the founding church of the monastery from the 11th century have been found in the basement of the building. The space has been turned into a museum and shows the findings that appeared in the archaeological excavation. Among them, a sarcophagus of the time.
In the heart of the medieval town of Madrid, a convent of Augustinian monks from the 17th century shelters the Parador de Chinchón. Its extensive gardens and the orchard used by the monks and which is now full of fruit trees such as pomegranate, almond, apple or pear trees, captivate the visitor. So does the glass-enclosed cloister where you can enjoy a spectacular collection of religious art at any time of the year. The exterior, the fountain and the vegetation of the patio become an idyllic setting for having a coffee on spring mornings or resting on summer nights. The pool is located in the old stables, converted into one of the most characteristic places of the Parador.
