Comments on: Parador Alarcon http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments Blog about the accommodation in the luxury Spanish Parador Hotels Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:27:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Patrick & Ursula Byrne http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-27749 Patrick & Ursula Byrne Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:28:03 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-27749 Parador Alarcon was the first Parador that my Wife and I have ever stayed in and the experience was a truly magical one. From the time one drives down the approach road towards Alarcon and seeing the Parador appear on the horizon, then turning the corner going under the gatehouses the magic begins. We could find no fault with our stay what so ever. The staff were friendly and helpful at all times. The food was wonderful; a great chance to sample some local high quality cuisine. The accommodation was of a very high standard and the location was wonderful. Some great walk around the walls of the village; not advisable in the midday sun! We have recommended Alarcon to many of our friends and plan to stay in other Paradors in the future. However, it will be hard to better the standard of Alarcon. Parador Alarcon was the first Parador that my Wife and I have ever stayed in and the experience was a truly magical one. From the time one drives down the approach road towards Alarcon and seeing the Parador appear on the horizon, then turning the corner going under the gatehouses the magic begins. We could find no fault with our stay what so ever. The staff were friendly and helpful at all times. The food was wonderful; a great chance to sample some local high quality cuisine. The accommodation was of a very high standard and the location was wonderful. Some great walk around the walls of the village; not advisable in the midday sun!

We have recommended Alarcon to many of our friends and plan to stay in other Paradors in the future. However, it will be hard to better the standard of Alarcon.

]]> By: Desiree and Jim http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-26112 Desiree and Jim Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:11:04 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-26112 Romantic and quite. After finishing a whirlwind cruise for 9 days and few nights in Barcelona and Madrid, staying at the Parador de Alarcon was a welcome break. I'm sorry that other people have bad experienced in the restaurant but out waitress was great. She even promise to learn more English next time we come back and my husband promising in return to learn more Spanish. We were lucky to have the room on top of the tower, although nice and comfortable I would have like to see more of the authencity of the old castle. It would have been nice if the hotel provided more information of the castle's history and maybe old photos of the castle. Music in the patio would have nice too. Romantic and quite. After finishing a whirlwind cruise for 9 days and few nights in Barcelona and Madrid, staying at the Parador de Alarcon was a welcome break. I’m sorry that other people have bad experienced in the restaurant but out waitress was great. She even promise to learn more English next time we come back and my husband promising in return to learn more Spanish. We were lucky to have the room on top of the tower, although nice and comfortable I would have like to see more of the authencity of the old castle. It would have been nice if the hotel provided more information of the castle’s history and maybe old photos of the castle. Music in the patio would have nice too.

]]> By: Meershoek http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-23382 Meershoek Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:10:31 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-23382 On our trip from Barcelona to Nerja in may 2011 we stayed at the Parador of Alarcon. The reception was very friendly. The Parador is breathtaking, which goes for the location as well as the building. The room was beautiful, clean, with good beds and a spectacular view from the windows. Unfortunately the air-conditioning was still in wintermode, so we could not cool our room. The restaurant was impressive and warm and the food was excellent. The presentation of the dishes is worth taking a picture. Breakfast is served at the table, with a wide choice of cheese, meats, eggs, bread and pastry and fruit. The town is located near the Parador and is very small. On our second day we made a walk around the Parador, which meant a lot of climbing, leading to more spectacular views (large fields of red poppy’s). We enjoyed our stay very, very much and we can certainly recommend this Parador. On our trip from Barcelona to Nerja in may 2011 we stayed at the Parador of Alarcon. The reception was very friendly. The Parador is breathtaking, which goes for the location as well as the building. The room was beautiful, clean, with good beds and a spectacular view from the windows. Unfortunately the air-conditioning was still in wintermode, so we could not cool our room. The restaurant was impressive and warm and the food was excellent. The presentation of the dishes is worth taking a picture. Breakfast is served at the table, with a wide choice of cheese, meats, eggs, bread and pastry and fruit.
The town is located near the Parador and is very small. On our second day we made a walk around the Parador, which meant a lot of climbing, leading to more spectacular views (large fields of red poppy’s).
We enjoyed our stay very, very much and we can certainly recommend this Parador.

]]> By: Molly http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-23276 Molly Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:23:11 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-23276 Magical! My husband upgraded us to the top of the turret. What a beautiful view. Magical! My husband upgraded us to the top of the turret. What a beautiful view.

]]> By: Christian Nielsen http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-23257 Christian Nielsen Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:21:51 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-23257 Alarcon has one of the best settings you can find. Very authentic and stunning landscape. Takes you right back in time. The Parador itself: We stayed in room 114. Very clean, good beds, nice bathroom, not big but have two little armchairs and a table and wonderful view. Lady at the reception desk was helpful and friendly. English speaking. Same nice attitude at restaurant although very little English spoken (all part of the charm). We also had a brief encounter with the 'official' looking guy at the parking lot but he's harmless and mute. Surroundings: The small authentic town offers little except for the sense of being taken back in time. Seems like more than half of the houses has been deserted for .. hmmm.. if not centuries then for long. Two other restaurants in town but didn't try them. Very quiet place. You see few people. Church was closed and so in 20 min. we'd seen it all. Not mucho turistico at all! There are some splendid walks around the city and castle, though. A few more towers/fortifications are dotted around the landscape along with a river and a dam makes it all look idyllic. Can easily spend a day hiking in the area. We arrived from Madrid/Toledo and it was very easy to find. Road signs take you right there...! Can strongly recommend this Parador! Alarcon has one of the best settings you can find. Very authentic and stunning landscape. Takes you right back in time.

The Parador itself:
We stayed in room 114. Very clean, good beds, nice bathroom, not big but have two little armchairs and a table and wonderful view.
Lady at the reception desk was helpful and friendly. English speaking. Same nice attitude at restaurant although very little English spoken (all part of the charm). We also had a brief encounter with the ‘official’ looking guy at the parking lot but he’s harmless and mute.

Surroundings:
The small authentic town offers little except for the sense of being taken back in time. Seems like more than half of the houses has been deserted for .. hmmm.. if not centuries then for long. Two other restaurants in town but didn’t try them. Very quiet place. You see few people. Church was closed and so in 20 min. we’d seen it all. Not mucho turistico at all!

There are some splendid walks around the city and castle, though. A few more towers/fortifications are dotted around the landscape along with a river and a dam makes it all look idyllic. Can easily spend a day hiking in the area.

We arrived from Madrid/Toledo and it was very easy to find. Road signs take you right there…! Can strongly recommend this Parador!

]]> By: Jim and Lynne http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-21967 Jim and Lynne Thu, 12 May 2011 01:27:42 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-21967 The setting of the Alarcon Parador would be difficult to equal. The town itself probably hasn't changed much in the last 500 years or so. The view from the castle walls (and arrow slit windows) is vast and somewhat desolate, but beautiful nonetheless. Several structures of similar age dot the distant landscape so it's easy to sense how it must have felt to live in Alarcon in the long-distant past. Our room was small, but very clean. The bathroom fixtures were very modern and gleaming. The view through the castle wall from the shower/bath was incredible! Our dinner was good, but not excellent. A bit disappointing for a meal, but the setting in the old chapel was delightful. I wish we had planned more time in order to hike the trails down to the river and across the footbridge. We agree with others who have commented about the difficulty in locating the Parador. After you arrive, it seems obvious. But for someone who's never been there before, it's not. People were very nice. Not a lot of english. But we speak passable Spanish, so it went well. The setting of the Alarcon Parador would be difficult to equal. The town itself probably hasn’t changed much in the last 500 years or so. The view from the castle walls (and arrow slit windows) is vast and somewhat desolate, but beautiful nonetheless. Several structures of similar age dot the distant landscape so it’s easy to sense how it must have felt to live in Alarcon in the long-distant past. Our room was small, but very clean. The bathroom fixtures were very modern and gleaming. The view through the castle wall from the shower/bath was incredible! Our dinner was good, but not excellent. A bit disappointing for a meal, but the setting in the old chapel was delightful. I wish we had planned more time in order to hike the trails down to the river and across the footbridge. We agree with others who have commented about the difficulty in locating the Parador. After you arrive, it seems obvious. But for someone who’s never been there before, it’s not. People were very nice. Not a lot of english. But we speak passable Spanish, so it went well.

]]> By: Donna Greenhalgh http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-13408 Donna Greenhalgh Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:50:32 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-13408 Fantastic place. Room cosy ( it was 7 degrees outside so nice & warm) & well decorated. Wish it had been for longer than one night. the regional menu was a disappointment but still ok. Will return. Fantastic place. Room cosy ( it was 7 degrees outside so nice & warm) & well decorated. Wish it had been for longer than one night.
the regional menu was a disappointment but still ok.
Will return.

]]> By: Basil & Barbara Parker http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-9787 Basil & Barbara Parker Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:36:37 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-9787 Alcaron was our first stay on a trip round via Cuenca, Toledo and Almagro during which we always stayed in the Parador, they were all excellent but we particually liked Alacron, it was a unique hotel with superb views and excellent facilities. We have recommended it to many people already. The small town was like stepping back in time and was a joy to walk around, the Hotel also provided us with a free tour, the guide did only speak Spanish which was not a major problem for us as we have lived in Spain for some years Alcaron was our first stay on a trip round via Cuenca, Toledo and Almagro during which we always stayed in the Parador, they were all excellent but we particually liked Alacron, it was a unique hotel with superb views and excellent facilities. We have recommended it to many people already.

The small town was like stepping back in time and was a joy to walk around, the Hotel also provided us with a free tour, the guide did only speak Spanish which was not a major problem for us as we have lived in Spain for some years

]]> By: Mark & Lupe Tannehill http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-8994 Mark & Lupe Tannehill Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:31:01 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-8994 We stayed one night and this was our third night in a Parador on a trek thru Spain and I it was the better of the three! Our room was on the third floor and we had a Good window view of the country side and river below. Our check in went smoothly, but my wife spoke Spanish. We arrived a little early but they took us right in. I did see the ‘dodgy geezer’ hanging around in the car park? He looked a bit official, with his cap and scruffy uniform, he didn’t hassle us but made us feel uneasy. I even said hola and he ignored me! We ate in town that evening and it was nothing special. You are very limited to the eating at the Parador or just two other restaurants. But breakfast was good for a buffet. The one thing I did miss was in our room there was only one little spot of real stone wall left in the bathroom that was of the original castle. We stayed one night and this was our third night in a Parador on a trek thru Spain and I it was the better of the three! Our room was on the third floor and we had a Good window view of the country side and river below. Our check in went smoothly, but my wife spoke Spanish. We arrived a little early but they took us right in. I did see the ‘dodgy geezer’ hanging around in the car park? He looked a bit official, with his cap and scruffy uniform, he didn’t hassle us but made us feel uneasy. I even said hola and he ignored me! We ate in town that evening and it was nothing special. You are very limited to the eating at the Parador or just two other restaurants. But breakfast was good for a buffet.
The one thing I did miss was in our room there was only one little spot of real stone wall left in the bathroom that was of the original castle.

]]> By: Greig & Anne Bannerman http://www.paradores-spain.com/comments/parador-alarcon/comment-page-1#comment-5376 Greig & Anne Bannerman Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:39:10 +0000 http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/blog/parador-alarcon#comment-5376 We had already spent a week, in Spain, with friends. This was our first excursion on our own and our first stay in a Parador. I have already read the other comments and feel that I will be repeating much of what has been said but, anyway, here goes. Difficult to find, the map provided was ambiguos, we spent a good hour 'touring' the country side, this was pleasant but we really wanted to arrive. And then we saw the village and castle, and then we realised that we wetre to stay in the castle. Wow!!Alarcon is a beautiful quiet village. But who was the ' dodgy geezer' hanging around in the carpark? He looked a bit official, with his cap and scruffy uniform, he didn't hassle us but made us feel uneasy. Also a bit a of a trek from the carpark, with the luggage. Man in reception didn't understand a word of English, but, hey, this is Spain. Hotel beautiful, but our room small, with sort of integral bathroom which would not suit if you were sharing with a stranger. Also would not like to cross the courtyard in a storm. but maybe would not want to cross the courtyard to the restaurant as the food very sub- standard and served by a waitress who appeared to have just received some very bad news. This was at dinner, on our first night, and the news was obviousley getting worse as our stay progressed, she was potentially suicidal by our last breakfast. Must mention the stunning walk round the village, the long route, and the restaurant, up the road, where we had a magnificent meal served by a cheery chappie ( he hadn't heard the news). So to sum up, fab. location, pretty fab. place, but the food. Oh dear. We had already spent a week, in Spain, with friends. This was our first excursion on our own and our first stay in a Parador. I have already read the other comments and feel that I will be repeating much of what has been said but, anyway, here goes. Difficult to find, the map provided was ambiguos, we spent a good hour ‘touring’ the country side, this was pleasant but we really wanted to arrive. And then we saw the village and castle, and then we realised that we wetre to stay in the castle. Wow!!Alarcon is a beautiful quiet village. But who was the ‘ dodgy geezer’ hanging around in the carpark? He looked a bit official, with his cap and scruffy uniform, he didn’t hassle us but made us feel uneasy. Also a bit a of a trek from the carpark, with the luggage. Man in reception didn’t understand a word of English, but, hey, this is Spain. Hotel beautiful, but our room small, with sort of integral bathroom which would not suit if you were sharing with a stranger. Also would not like to cross the courtyard in a storm. but maybe would not want to cross the courtyard to the restaurant as the food very sub- standard and served by a waitress who appeared to have just received some very bad news. This was at dinner, on our first night, and the news was obviousley getting worse as our stay progressed, she was potentially suicidal by our last breakfast. Must mention the stunning walk round the village, the long route, and the restaurant, up the road, where we had a magnificent meal served by a cheery chappie ( he hadn’t heard the news). So to sum up, fab. location, pretty fab. place, but the food. Oh dear.

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