Comments Parador Jaen
The Parador of Jaen‘s privileged location on the Cerro de Santa Catalina adds a defensive, fortress-like character to the Jaen landscape. With a refreshing swimming pool and exterior stonework that soaks up the sun, the hotel promises to enchant you with a full experience of the Andaluz Renaissance. 
The building’s majestic appearance continues inside with the impressive 20 metre high arches in the main hall, the dining room with its distinctive Arabic character and the comfortable bedrooms with their magnificent views. The soft interior decoration of the building is complemented by a varied gastronomic menu: ajo blanco (chilled almond and garlic soup), ensalada de perdiz (partridge salad), pipirrana (typical salad) and espinacas a la jienense con huevo (Jaen spinach with egg).
Below are some comments of guests who recently stayed in Parador Jaen.
Information and reservations at Parador of Jaen
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Jaen Parador. It was a long ride into town, but we managed to get in to see the cathedral. The staff was very nice and welcoming. We sat in the bar/lounge in the afternoon, and had dinner and breakfast in the dining room, a beautiful space with a magnificent tapestry.
Our view was great: mountains and olive trees and the city of Jaen. Our room was lovely, large and well-appointed. Our only issue was that it was cold.
The parador itself is in a magnificent setting overlooking a huge park and the city of Jaen.
We stayed for two nights, at the beginning of October 2011, after spending some time on the coast.
We remembered to download the location information from the Parador website, so we found the hotel without too much difficulty, although the route is somewhat tortuous.
The hotel building was spectacular as was its siting. The rooms were comfortable and the staff helpful. All facilities were functioning as far as we could see.
We spent a day wandering around the centre of Jaen, including the cathedral and the rest of the old town, all of which was well worth the effort. We also managed to visit the castle and experience the views.
We ate beakfast and dinner in the restaurant on both days and found the food and service excellent.
We plan to visit again.
Martin and Toni Francis
My wife and I stayed one night at the Jaen Parador and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The facility is beautiful and it is a special treat to be next to the old Moorish castle. The staff was very accommodating and the regional menu that we had for dinner was the best meal we had during our ten day visit to southern Spain. It was the perfect stopping off point prior to our visiting and staying at the Parador in Granada. Strongly recommend this Parador.
Myself, my boyfriend and my parents stayed at the Parrador for my 40th Birthday in November 2011…
We all found the staff very friendly and professional, fantastic valve, we had an evening meal special 3 course’s for 33 Euro’s, all courses were delicious and the buffet breakfast was out of this world with a massive selection and all so so tasty!!
We had the Romantic room, number 44, again wonderfull and fantastic views, impressed too that some rooms were smoking.
The four poster bed was so comfortable and the shower was extremely powerfull, lots of instant hot water even for a lovely relaxing bath before dinner.
The only thing I can fault which is not a reflection on the hotel is that due to a big function that night we could not eat our evening meal in the main dining room which was slightly disspointing as it was a big event we were wanting to celebrate that evening in that particular room, so if you are planning a celebration stay you may like to inquire first to whether the hotel is function free.
I will I hope return!
Also impressed with the enviromently friendly concious hotel and unlike a comment in a past review we read on here we found the hotel very easy to find, lots of sign posts.
I thought I’d sent this but I’m not sure so here it is again: We had a wonderful day and night in the Jaen Parador in August (didn’t try the pool but it was certainly open). Everything was just perfect. We had a late lunch, an afternoon exploring the hotel, supper and breakfast – all good quality although, like everything in Paradors, not cheap – but worth it! Our bedroom on the Golden Days package was everything we could have asked for and the bathroom even included a bidet! We sat on the balcony of our room and took pictures of the ever-changing landscape beneath us during the afternoon and evening. Our evening meal was the “special” which gave us free entry to the Jaen Cathedral – which we visited the next day before going on to the Cazorla Parador. This was a brief trip from our house south of Granada and it was an excellent break.
We stayed at the parador for one night in July and it far exceeded our expectations. We had no trouble finding the parador as there were many signs throughout Jaen directing us to it. The parador itself is beautiful (situated on a hilltop with magnificent views of Jaen the the mountains). The rooms were large and clean and the staff extremely helpful and friendly. The restaurant was lovely and the food was very good. We will most definitely stay at this parador and others on during future trips to Spain.
On our trip from Barcelona to Nerja in may 2011 we stayed at the Parador of Jaen. The reception was very friendly. The room was very nice, clean, with good beds and a beautiful view from the balcony. The restaurant was very impressive and warm and the food was excellent. There was enough choice for the Parador menu and local dishes and the presentation of the dishes is worth taking a picture. Breakfast was a warm and cold buffet, with a wide choice of cheese, meats, eggs, bread and pastry and fruit.
We didn’t visit the town. It is too far and too steep to walk and we did not feel like taking the car, so we stayed at the Parador. Unfortunately, the swimming-pool could not be used yet (opens on 1st of June).
We enjoyed our stay very much and we can certainly recommend this Parador.
We stayed at the Parador de Jaen on April 14 & 15, 2011. The weather was more than perfect at that time of year. The views and public rooms were spectacular. The food was OK but nothing remarkable. There was a shortage of servers preventing their ability to deliver top notch service but everyone was extremely nice and tried to do the best they could. We stayed in one of the more expensive “romantic” rooms with a canopy bed. While spacious, the furnishings were more like 3 star accommodations. Our only serious complaint was that the room reeked of cigarette smoke even though we left the windows open as much as possible to air it out.
We drove into the town one night for dinner and enjoyed walking through the bustling center. While driving by makes you cringe at the endless rows of recently constructed cookie cutter apartment buildings and attached condos, the liveliness of the area we walked in was very inviting. Driving is a serious challenge and you need a good map and 2 people- 1 to drive and 1 to navigate to find your way around. Jaen is a great spot to use as a home base for exploring the area.
We stayed at the Jaen Parador one night last April, and enjoyed our stay vert much. Large rooms, beautiful view from the balcony, lovely dining room (but the food can be better) and lovely atmosphere.
We visited the parador for the 2nd time now and again we found to small a motivation to visit the town of Jaen because of the beauty of this place. The staff was friendly and helpful, the food excellent, so we felt like medieval knigths and stayed at our castillo the whole day long.
Indeed we stayed at your Parador in Jaen. Our second stay, the first
was around 1967. In those days Fraga Iribarne was minister for tourism
and rightly pushed the developments of the parador concept very much.
Our last stay was most pleasant and we could note that the up-grading
of your facilities is remarkable. Unfortunately we could not stay at
the Parador in Ronda since it was fully booked. ,
We had 10 wonderful, but tiresome days in Granada Cordoba, Jaén,
Carmona, Sevilla, Ronda and Mijas. So much to see and to learn.
We stayed one night and the weather was rainy. However, it was a great place to stay and relax and the rain let up enough that we were able to go through the castle. The service very good at the dining room and reception and the food was good. The room was very comfortable. Our only comment was that the directions provided to get to the parador were very poor. Fortunately there is signage but at one point it proved in adequate and we were lucky to get back on track.
We had dtayed two night during Easter holiday.
Although this is the first time for us of staying Prador, we were satisfied very much , especially their survise and room condition.
But the point you should be cafefule is tha fact that a hair dryer attached in bath room is too weak.
You should prepare the poerful one at yourself because its reception has not alternative hair dryer.
And if you go there by your car using navigation system, you had better not trust too much the route that the navigation recomend becasue the navigation recomended very narrow, winding path in the town in spite of having wide rote that easy to go.
In either case, I’m sure that this prador is worth recomending.
We just slept one night in the Parador Oktober 2010
The reception gave us a good and correct welcome.
We had room number 3. This has very good Wifi, in stead of the warnings of the reception. I think it counts that the room is above the reception. Everybody with a laptop should have this room.
We had a very well prepared dinner in the parador (menu of the day). The waiter gave us gently another table after complaining fitting long legs.
It is nice to walk in the evening to the point of the rock behind the castle with a beautiful view of Jean.
Worth every penny of the stay.
On arrival we were greeted by friendly staff who informed us our room was not ready so we were shown to the bar for a complimentary drink. We were shortly shown to the “romantic room”, which was absolutely charming and although the balconey felt a bit insecure the views were amazing. The only downside was the bathroom which although adequate was not to the standard we have experienced in some Paradores. The restaurant was beautifully restored and furnished and the evening meal was excellent as was the service. Breakfast was disappointing by comparison and the buffet not kept stocked up. A car is essential as the Paradore is quite a walk from the town, but parking in the town is difficult. The Cathedral is worth a visit.
The Parador was one of the most beautiful places we stayed. We had a balcony with views of the mountains and olive trees and had drinks on the terrace with views of Jaen. As most European hotels, they have 2 nice sized single beds pushed together, rather than queen or king beds, but it was definitely worth it. We should have stayed in the parador in Ronda and Cadiz (white sand beaches there). I highly recommend it. It was like staying in a Harry Potter Castle! Totally amazing!!!
They have a ping pong table with views of the mountains.
Loved every minute. Go.
My friend and I stayed in June and found the accommodations to be very comfortable and the views superb. However I felt though that dinner in the restaurant was not of the standard for the prices charged but the Breakfast was very good.
The swimming pool was not open and it was a very hot day, the palace was also closed, workmen were chipping away at stonework all afternoon so I felt that the tariff charged was rather high as we did not have full enjoyment of all facilities the parador website advertised. The outdoor terrace only offered 2 lounges – no chairs, tables or umbrellas and appeared not to be open either.
We took a taxi from the town but if driving our own vehicle would have had difficulty finding it. Marie, Australia
Very enjoyable visit – lovely room with a stunning view from quaint wooden balcony. Disappointing we did not find out castle and swimming pool both closed in advance. Thoroughly recommend special Parador tasting menu in the restaurant.
This is one of my favourite paradors, and the second time we have visited. Unfortunately the castle was closed due to building works, but that just means we will have to visit again. Excellent service, and food. Lovely room with views across the mountains from the balcony. Visit the olive oil shop down in the town.
Another good Parador with good views, food and attention to detail. Yes a bit hard to get to ( the town centre roads were being repaired) but we found everyone we stopped and asked for ‘Parador? pointed us in the right direction. Such an atmospheric building and good helpful staff who looked after us well. A perfect spot to unwind and we found a taxi service to the town and back was excellent.
We always enjoy this Parador and have stayed several timesw whilst visiting family in Bailen.
The rooms are always comfortable, staff friendly and helpful.
Food always a treat.
Look forward to our next visit!
Stayed at Parador Jaen in March 2010. Unlike many of the comments on this page we did find the Parador very easily, it’s signposted, but most significantly easily visible from most of Jaen, just keep climbing. The rooms are pleasant, but the view is superb. Had dinner in the restaurant, excellent local cuisine, reasonable value if you take the meal option. Staff very helpful and friendly.
Vi tillbringade en natt i denna borg och blev mycket väl mottagna. En fantastisk frukost-buffé och en bedårande utsikt. dock var det storm och regn så vi kunde inte riktigt njuta till fullo
I loved my stay at the Parador! I stayed for Christmas Eve and Christmas – couldn’t have asked for a better place to relax for the holidays, outside of home -. The food was wonderful; I recommend the breakfast and board! I will definitely come back to the parador of Jaen.
My wife and I spent 4 nights at the parador at Carmona and 4 nights at the parador at Jaen in November. Whilst the Parador at Carmona was fine it did not match the Parador at Jaen. This is the best Parador I have been to in terms of the ambience, cuisine and professionalism of the staff throughout – an unforgetable experience.
This was a great hotel. The facilities were nice. The only downside was that it was a pretty expensive cab ride to get into town.
We very much liked our stay in Parador Jaen.
The reception on arrival was kind.
The room had a splendid view, but woodwork gould do with a new layer of
paint. This was a pitty because now the impression was a bit neglected.
It was not directly clear that we had to make a reservation for the
dining room for the evening.
We had a wonderful stay in Jaen. Really, really lovely room with balcony
(I think we were upgraded). The bedroom was large and the 3 beds were very comfortable and the hotel was superb. The building was beautiful, the
location was beautiful and the breakfast was lovely.
We heard about Paradors thirty years ago and had always promised ourselves we would visit them. Finally, we did in September, staying at Jaen, Carmona and Malaga Gibralfaro. They were all wonderful – the most splendid buildings, in wonderful locations, with excellent food and very comfortable rooms. The hotels provide impressive examples of restoring and adapting ancient buildings to new uses which would be worth visiting in their own right, and they provide excellent bases for exploring the many sights of Andalucia. One downside is that some of them are very difficult to find! Local people seem never to have heard of them and their hilltop sites are reached via very winding routes. Signposting is good once you are within a short distance of them – but getting to that point is a challenge! Nevertheless, we had a wonderful holiday.
We have returned home from a trip to Spain in September and we stayed at 2
Paradors. I have always wanted to stay in Paradors and I was not
disappointed – they are very good.
We had a wonderful stay in Jaen. Really, really lovely room with balcony
(I think we were upgraded). The bedroom was large and the 3 beds were very
comfortable and the hotel was superb. The building was beautiful, the
location was beautiful and the breakfast was lovely.
July 4, 2009
We visited many Paradores but the Parador of Jaen is one of the most impressive and wonderful. Finding it was a nightmare: only few road signs made it impossible to find it easely. We lost completely in the narrow streets of Jaen: it toke us 1 hour in and around the city before we ended in the Parador! The reception staff was very kind and helpful. The room was splendid with fantastic view on the region. The bar near the reception was noisy and the service slow! But the restaurant was splendid,the service friendly and professional,the food excellent. At night we feel unsafe wenn walking outside: many cars with noisy young people driving around…so we went soon back into the parador.
The breakfast was fine with friendly assistance.The pool was not available (works).
We enjoyed our stay and look foreward to a next visit to this splendid place! Muchas gracias por todo!
We stayed at Parador Jaen one night (two families). We enjoyed it a lot. the Staff at reception were very courteous and friendly. We enjoyed the view of the Parador and the room. Everything was clean. The shower and bathroom was very clean. A very memorable stay.
We enjoyed a lovely holiday in Andalusia, visiting the Paradores of Jaen, Ubeda and Cazorla to celebrate my 70th birthday. All were sited in beautiful locations. The buildings were impressive and the staff friendly. The big disappointment that marred our holiday was the building work which was taking place near to our room at Jaen. Imagine our dismay as we had to wade past swarths of dust, clamber over makeshift carpets and pieces of plastic and had to listen to the sound of drills. When the noise grew just too loud to tolerate, we were informed that we should sit in one of the quieter areas of the Parador.
A wonderful Parador – the best we have stayed at. However, finding it was a nightmare. There were road signs at first but then there were none. We ended up in the town and in the narrow streets and were completely lost. It took us two hours to find our way through the maze. There were many road works and the hotel staff told us they never know from day to day what is happening. If Jaen wants to promote tourism it will have to get it’s house in order. We can not recommend this Parador solely because of this. A great shame.
We staid 3 nights in Jaen in May at our Andalusia tour and it was wonderful. Nice rooms. good service excellent food breakfast and dinner, just superb. The sunset at the bar-terrace was our favorite. We can highly recommend it.
april 30. 2009
Jaen Parador was a lovely and exciting surprise. Staff at reception and restaurant were very friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was fine.
The interior was empressing wit a lovely medieval style. The room was kept in the same style – a bit worn – but nice and with a superb view over the mountains.
Most certainly worth a visit and revisit and recommendations.
This is a wonderful location. We stayed two nights with our 18 year old daughter. The room was spacious, our balcony was relaxing and had wonderful views. There is plenty of space to relax throughout the parador – balcony, bar, lounge area, indoors, outdoors, etc. The pool was unfortunately closed and will be until July but it was still such a treat to enjoy such a unique and special place.
Bonjour , nous avons été tres satisfaits de notre passage au parador de JAEN
Le site est magnifique , le personnel acceuillant , la décoration intérieure en harmonie avec le ” grand age ” des lieus .Seul bémol : ne pas pouvoir profiter de la piscine fin mai et par 31 degrès
Cordialement A.G
We didn’t expect the spectacular location and fine rooms at Parador Jaen. The desk staff are helpful but the room speaks for itself. Looking out over the olive groves, fields and mountains with ever changing shadows is very relaxing. We enjoyed walking up the park trails near the Jaen. A car is a necessity in our opinion.
A stunningly beautiful location, with a strong sense of the past in its decor, transporting you to another time in history. The hotel was built in 1928 and is a perfect architectural match to the adjoining Moorish fortress. We ate in the restaurant and were well pleased with the food and service. The menu was varied and even included special gluten-free items. A wonderful place to stay.
The parador was wonderful!!! Finding it was difficult – going through Jaen with all the construction was a nightmare. There are relatively easy ways via the outskirts. Also, asking for the parador brought blank stares, asking for the adjoining castle was more fruitful. Nonetheless, go, go, go. It’s a great place.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your Parador. The reception was very welcoming. All the staff were very friendly and helpful at all times. Our meal in the restaurant in the evening was of the very highest standard, superb, absolutely delicious and thoroughly memorable. The public rooms were very tastefully furnished, thoroughly in keeping with the wonderful building. Our bedroom was very comfortable with a fabulous view, our only comment was that the wooden edge to the balcony was in need of replacing, it looked and felt rather insecure.
We had a wonderful time in Jaen and look forward to a second visit.
We staid one night only at the parador of Jaen and enjoy it a lot, this is a very unique place :
Wonderfull location, nice atmosphere, helpfull staff, nice room, peacefull place, very good breakfast, we could not enjoy the pool because of the weather but it should be very nice when the weather is hot
I will certaintly recommend this place to everybody
WIJ HEBBEN 3 NACHTEN IN DEZE PARADOR DOORGEBRACHT IN SEPTEMBER 2008. FANTASTISCH WEER EN KUNNEN GEBRUIK MAKEN VAN ZWEMDOK. VOORTREFFELIJKE KEUKEN. VEEL KEUZE. ECHT EEN AANRADER
Our stay at the parador in Jaen was very good the only thing wrong was
the weather, which you could do nothing about. The reception team
could not have been more helpful. The ambience was wonderful,
everything was very clean and welcoming.
What a wonderful experience to stay in a 12th century castle with
suits of armour etc; on display which added to the authenticity of the
stay.
The breakfast was very good also. I would certainly recommend this parador.
I have never stayed at a parador yet, that I have not enjoyed.
The only downside was the fact that you needed a car to go into the
town which is not very easy for parking. If there had been a minibus
service into the town perhaps with a reasonable charge, I believe that
would make a difference to the clients stay.
C.J.Clarke.