Parador Hondarribia
The Parador in Hondarribia occupies a beautiful castle built by the king of Navarre, Sancho Abarca, in the 10th century. The building still retains the appearance and atmosphere of an original medieval fortress and provides a magnificent backdrop to the costal location. The thick-walled exterior of the fortress belies its beautifully renovated interior. 
Do not miss the immense, natural beauty of the stonework in the courtyard or the stunning sea views from the terrace and some of the bedrooms, along the French coast. Allow yourself to be drawn into the beautiful atmosphere of the castle as you explore its hidden nooks and crannies, wandering through its arches and admiring the wrought-iron work and coffering that adorn the walls and ceilings. Spears, cannons, and suits of armour bring an air of elegance to the comfortable surroundings.
We stayed at this parador twice in July 2010. My husband and I shared a fabulous room with a view of the harbor on our first visit. We retuned 2 weeks later with our teenage son, and had 2 rooms. One had a fabulous view and the other a pretty view. Our son even thought the place was amazing! This parador is absolutely gorgeous. The old building is lovely and interesting. If you want to know how the old prices of Spain lived, you will love this parador. The town is charming. The parking lot is treacherous, so you should not bring a big car because the lot is small and cramped. Plus access to the hotel from the parking lot requires climbing stairs, so if you have a huge suitcase and are not hearty, drop your bags at the square above the lot, near the entrance to the hotel. We found the staff to be very polite. Someone at the front desk always spoke English. We loved this place, would send our friends, and would return again if we are lucky enough to revisit the Basque country.
We LOVED our stay at the parador hondarribia.
thank you for such a splendid time.
here is something for your guest book…. the view from our wonderful room.
what could say more about your fabulous hospitality.
Hondarribia was supposed to be our ‘grand finale’ after two weeks touring the Noth of Spain, staying in various hotels (three to five star ratings; all very good.) This was by far the worst hotel we stayed in and by far the most expensive!
From the moment you enter the gray carpark, climb the gray concrete stairs, to the gray heavy metal gate, you get a sinking feeling. Then you enter a very functional reception area, where a cafe and plush sofas set inside the old castle walls is open to the public. Being shown through to the ‘guests only’ area and our room our spirits lifted, only to be dropped when entering our very dull, ‘no frills’, small bedroom, looking nothing like the room featured on this website! (I would have given it a two star rating). We asked to be moved as we vere so disappointed, and because the ceiling fan was broken. We were told all rooms were the same, but at least were given a room with a working fan.
Breakfast the following morning was good, as were the views from the rooftop terrace. The comfortably furnished internal courtyard was spoilt by constant piped music (panflutes etc.), making a quiet read of the papers or a good book frustrating….
All in all, very disappointing.
We have stayed at this Parador several times, despite the rudeness of the front desk staff. Mostly because of the great building that it is comprised of and for the views. However, this last stay, was terrible. Not only have they gotten rid of the restaurant, but the room we were in felt like a 2-star hotel. It was really unacceptable for the price we paid. Either they need to renovate or lower their prices. It is the LAST time we will stay there. Also, I have a Paradors card and I did not have it with me so I did not get our free welcome drink. There should be a way for the front desk clerks to look that up on their system.
Amazing old world meets new. Right in the centre and when we were there, there was a local craft festival in the town so right in the heart of things. Pity they dont do Dinner (but there are lots of local seafood restaurants down the hill). Good service and well maintained.
Our 5th and last parador in our trip in July 2010. We stayed 2 nights and could have stayed longer. The reception at the hotel was perfect, polite, friendly and helpful. We did have trouble finding the hotel and to anyone with a BMW satnav I suggest you ignore it and follow the signs. Our room was lovely, very comfortable with great voews. the building itself was awesome. The car park to hotel issue would be difficult for some people as there is no lift but we found the reception staff only too happy to help with the bags, just ask nicely. Breakfast was good but it was busy and food and drink ran out but was replenished very quickly. The local restaurant recommended by the hotel for dinner was just superb as was the other one we ate at the second night in the town. It is a lovely place and well worth a visit.
quite sensational location, wonderful, helpful and smiling staff, what more can you ask.
easy parking, suggestion to upgrade to beautiful room overlooking Hendaye, cold beers on the terrace, a walk round the town, dinner at “Sebastian” nearby (fantastic)…wish we had stayed longer.
The building has ambient, great view, very beautiful and well located in the village. Breakfast was great, room and bathroom standard size and overall a good hotel.
Valeu for monney… Even with some discounts I believe it’s over priced. All things above were great but four ~140-150 euro per night and a four star rating I expect more. The building has no airco, the beds are ok but not great, the staff not overwelmingly friendly. The bar suddenly closed without notification while there we a lot of people present.
Conclusion: great hotel with a special medieval ambient but for this price there are other hotels which offer better facilities.
Avoid this Parador. Horribly and unjustifably expensive for a glorified b&b; no restaurant!!!!! – a main, if not only, attraction of chosing a Parador. The local restaurants are universally expernsive and publish their menus in Basques and not Spanish – two very different languages. Parking limited and access therefrom to to reception up a long steep flight of steps [think of your luggage!]. Reception invaded by tourists to view the castle interior. Rooms remote access via an impressive but long stone staircase, lit dangerously, only by uplighter-lamps that tend to blind the decendants. Rooms small-to-adequate; no UK language chanels on the room TV.
We were visiting before easter in March, 2010. It couldnt have been a more wonderful experience. It was interesting, in that the inner portion of the Parador, the best part is limited to the guests. We were in Spain for a month, the most memorable parts were our stays at the Parador.s
We stayed for one night in early February 2010 at this fantastic Paradore and thoroughly enjoyed the experience (although next time we will book a non-smoking room well in advance). We had to change rooms from the one initially allocated to us but were given another with a fantastic view over the harbour. The staff, from the check-in clerk, to the bar staff and breakfast waiter were invariably friendly and helpful.
If arriving by car be warned most SatNav systems will try to take you through the old town which is being dug up at present. Best to follow the Paradore road signs – although you need to keep your wits about you on the last part of the journey.
The hotel does not serve an evening meal but there are plenty of good restaurants close by. Breakfast is available in the hotel and it is excellent, we were particularly pleased to find a ‘gluten free’ section in the bakery. A great way to start, or end, a vacation in Spain.
We love this Parador. Nice staff, great rooms and good breakfast. We will be back
My family and I stayed 2 nights in November 2009. As a 40th birthday treat for my wife we reserved the Maria Christina suite and were recevied with a 1st class service. There was more than enough room for the 4 of us (we have 2 yound children). The room has a beautiful view overlooking the sea. We even had cots provided for our kids. Secure car parking. The weather was terrible, but that did not bother us in the slightest as we spent most of our time in the parador. The bar and restaurant are well situated and the service is impeccable. Needless to say I specifically chose this parador because I adore its architecture – I speak for both the exterior and interior. The town of Hondarribia is very charming, if it’s good food and drink you want you will not be dissapointed.
A very pleasant, unforgettable stay.
Lovely views, charming common rooms and terraces, great breakfast, comfortable bedrooms, perfect location — what more could you want? I only wish we could have stayed longer!
I stayed here with my partner for one night in September 2009. We loved it and wished we had stayed longer – maybe 4 days would be the right time to do justice to the town and environs. We found the staff personable, the room (looking out toward the old wall of the building) nice, and the breakfast great. The walk to town is about ten minutes and very pleasant. One downside – there was a huge party in the patio right below our room which lasted until late at night. Verry noisy, plus we couldn’t use the terrace or go to the bar…
If you are coming in September, try to make your visit coincide with the hisotrical and religious festivals that happen in the about the second week of the month – we missed them and were sorry about that.
La experiencia en este parador fue buena solamente, no entiendo por qué no hay restaurante abierto para la cena y no se avisa a los huéspedes de esta circunstancia.
Es el primer Parador que visito en el que no he podido disfrutar de una buena cocina.
El edificio es magnífico.
We stayed one night in August 2009 and had an excellent experience. Friendly and helpful staff. Fabulous view across estuary from bedroom window. Room was large and well adapted to clients’ needs. Castle beautifully and sympathetically restored for hotel use. Public rooms all tastefully and appropriately appointed. Breakfast was superb which suggests availability of evening meal would be welcome addition. Location in heart of old town is ideal, with cafes and sight-seeing on the doorstep. Better directions on web-site to Parador car-park would be appreciated. Thoroughly recommend.
Stayed overnight at the Parador at the end of our holiday. Stunning building, beautifully renovated. Lovely room and breakfast. Not a very warm welcome unfortunately, no smiles, great shame. But we will remember it.
What a fabulous Old World hotel with modern and charming touches including a spectacular view from the terrace overlooking the harbor, a breakfast buffet to rival any 5 star hotel and a decor worthy of a great museum. Didi I forget to mention the pleasant and very helpful staff and a very comfortable large room. A great souvenir of this wonderful medieval town and a truly relaxing and comfortable hostelry. The Spanish Government and Tourist Authority have a flagship in Hondarribia!
We stayed at the parador at the beginning of July. Although the building and setting were magnificent, the service, welcome and general standard of service was poor – there was no help with luggage etc. It was all rather impersonal and the room we had didn’t live up to the standard of the rest of the building and looked out over the carpark. We loved the town and had a great meal at Sebastians.
Myself and my boyfriend stayed here at the begining of July 2009, and I have to say we found it to be one of the most beautiful places anyone could ever stay in. The ancient building is breath taking, staff friendly and accomodating.
We had a view across the sea over over to France.
There is a small cafe opposite that sells delicious snack type food.The location really is fab, set in a peacful, sleepy old world style place perched ontop of a hill, with amazing views. Would stay here again in a heart beat.
Every thing were satisfied very much, except hotel localtion guide. How to reach the parador by car is not indicted details, one way road ,parking place and reception access. It sholud be make more precise map and open in the web site.
Hotel services were also very good and view from the room was fantastic.
We had a great time at this Parador. Fantastic location–water view, central to walking to the main part of town, and gorgeous castle with 4 great seating areas–1 near the bar, another one inside with tapestries and antiques, the exterior covered courtyard, and then the outdoor patio with water and France views. Rooms were nice too, service was good.
It was about eight years ago that we visited this parador for the first time and we were expecting the same hospitality. That became a disappointment. No help with the luggage, nor a friendly welcome. Our arrival was a pure administrative affair. The rooms are nice. We remembered the beautiful patio.
My wife and I stayed at the Parador Hondarribia for 4 days in late May 2009.
Lovely building of character in the medieval quarter of the town.
Facilities are excellent and the staff are very good.
The town is beautiful to stroll around.
Suited to couples mainly, I would say. The area makes for a great cultural holiday.
Ger Hussey
Dublin, Ireland