Parador Gijon
The Parador of Gijon is a century-old mill located in Isabel la Catolica Park, one of the city of Gijon’s most beautiful spots. 
There is a pretty lake lending the space a great sense of harmony and tranquility. Its proximity to San Lorenzo beach and Cimadevilla sailor’s quarter make it an ideal spot to enjoy unforgettable days.
There is a large, bright, welcoming interior recreating the setting’s warmth in the rooms and spaces, whilst the windows offer a sense of the nearby ocean. Fabada stew is the top fare in the dining room, although beans come in other dishes. The seafood stew, black sea bream in cider, Asturian stew and hake are also a highlight. Rice pudding, frixuelos (cream-filled crepes) and casadielles (pastries with walnut paste) are part of the Hotel’s dessert selection.
We have stayed in other Paradores and the one at Gijon was our favourite. It is well situated for walking to the beach and the centre of the city even though its park setting is tranquil. From the moment we arrived until we left nothing was too much trouble for the friendly staff. We loved the little garden where we relaxed after our long drive (great camparis!) and where we had an excellent extensive breakfast. We took advantage of the dining room in the evening which we already knew had a good reputation and even then we were very pleasantly surprised at how good was the food and service. The rooms and bathroom were spacious, perfect temperature, clean and very comfortable. We also enjoyed the numerous relaxing areas on every floor. The only problem was that we only stayed for one night. We will definitely stay there again if we are in Northern Spain. This was first class without doubt. Thank you.
What an oasis the Parador de Gijon was for us. We had a long drive from Donostia – San Sebastion to Bilbao, Cueves de Altimira, Santander, Parador Gil Blas for lunch, Santillana Del Mar. The reception was friendly, warm, quiet, lovely and felt like home right away. The room was wonderful so we shared a bottle of wine and some local cheeses in the overstuffed chairs in front of the open shutters looking to the park. That night there were people eating in the dining room but we chose to eat on the sun porch near the large rustling trees. We had a delicious local fabada stew. In the morning we had a fabulous breakfast outdoors under the rustling trees and then had a long walk through the city, San Lorenzo Beach and Cimadevilla (sailor’s harbor) stopping at a couple sidreria (cider) bars. We definitely recommend this fine Parador and City.
We were pleasantly surprised by the paradore at Gijon. It was our first stop in Northern Spain and we greatly enjoyed the paradore, the location – on the park – and the people of Gijon.
June24th 2010.
We stayed 2 nights and really enjoyed the hotel and city. The receptionist and lady porter were fantastic as were all the staff we encountered. Breakfast was great but the dining room was a little too provincial for our tastes. I would recommend anybody to stay here and to have a good walk around the city.
As others have said, it is a perfect first night stop from the ferry to Galicia.
It is difficult to find the entrance but worth the effort!
It’s location by the park and close to the beach made it a memorable Hotel for us.
We had a quiet room overlooking the park and the bathroom was first rate.
Highly recommended
As others have commented, we found the Gijon parador very convenient for a first night after arriving in Santander. The hotel was of the usual high parador standard with spacious bedroom and bathroom. We had a view overlooking the park which was very attractive. As dinner is served so late (by English standards), we ate at a small restaurant on the other side of the road from the parador main entrance. Breakfast in the parador was expensive but absolutely excellent and served in a lovely garden room.
A well judged stop after Santader. A general wish at the paradores for food to be available earlier than 9pm meanwhile we survived on the tapas.
This paradore was not easily found. It necessitated a round the town journey twice to find it.
Hospitality, as elsewhere, was in abundance. Rooms very good but, as in common with the paradores, a second ‘easy’ chair would have been of great benefit to a twin bedded room. The only exception to this was at Cangas de Onis which was quite exceptional.
Food unfortunately at all the paradores was too bound up in territorial/regional specialities. Whilst the idea was worthy and patrionic, it was nevertheless increditably boring after some many days!
At Leon, a Saturday should be avoided at any cost. Weddings take presidence to the detriment of all other guests.
When asking to book a table here for the earliest time, I was told that this was 11pm, which was totally unacceptable. We had to have room service which came down to a choice of 3 dishes. Fish and Chips in a bedroom is not to be recommended. You should suggest to inquiring guests that a reservation is made ahead. After a long journey from Santa Estevo this was unacceptable.
Leon is another story. Our room was not connected to the hotel switchboard and we had to use our mobile phone to common help from the hotel. The cafeteria was overwhelmed with guests from any wedding that was taking place.
I would advise any intending visitor to avoid Leon!
The lady porter was very helpful and everywhere was spotlessly clean. Our room was rather noisy, as it overlooked the entrance and an adjoining building site but we had asked for ‘easy access’. Dinner was rather disappointing, the dining room did not open until 9.30p.m. and the food was mediocre but breakfast was an absolute delight with lots of fresh fruit and a wide selection meats, pastries etc. Overall, the hotel was fine for an overnight stop.
The Parador of Gijon proved a perfect first night stop on the way from the Santander ferry to Baiona in Galicia. It is an easy, short drive off the Autovia de Cantabrica, small and friendly with a delightful tree-shaded cafe/bar and a beautiful beamed dining room for an easy supper. The room was quiet and very comfortable with a first class bathroom, and the Isabel la Catolica Park was a pleasant place to walk in the evening, alongside many Spanish families. The breakfast was delicious, particularly the fruit and pastries..