Parador Siguenza
Parador of Siguenza is installed in an Arab fortress, built on Roman foundations. The construction of this imposing castle began in 1123, home of bishops, cardinals and kings. This is an appropriate base for exploring the historic town and the beautiful landscape around it.
The hotel’s traditional Castilian furnishings are tastefully displayed in the large, comfortable rooms, some with canopied beds and terraces, authentic royal bedchambers in a palace which has kept its lordly halls, ideal for meetings and celebrations, and a 13th century Romanesque chapel.
Within its thick stone walls is the cobbled courtyard and an imposing dining room, where you can enjoy fried eggs with breadcrumbs and lardoons, oven roast baby kid, cod with Manchego cheese, and for dessert the famous borrachitos seguntinos and flores de Cabanillas. Everything is prepared with the best local, seasonal produce.
Unfortunately we found the staff to be quite rude and intolerant of English speaking guests. The restaurant served excellent food for dinner however the breakfast was disappointing and not up to usual Parador standards - small morcels of food on toothpicks, food not topped up or replaced after a large group had been through and eaten just about everything! Room was a bit ordinary and in need of an update. We have been staying in Paradors for many years now but on our last trip we found that although the prices have remained high, standards are dropping - rooms need renovating, breakfasts have been cut back to a minimum - all in all very disappointing. In future we would prefer to stay in a 4 star hotel
A wonderful hotel but I had a difficult situation on checkout. I had pre booked for B&B 1 night. We needed to leave at 7.30 the next morning to catch a ferry and requested an early breakfast. Breakfast started at 8am so the receptionist offered either a tray to take that evening or a reduced price without the breakfast, but asked me to confirm our preference. I returned to the desk to confirm and saw another person who had heard the options given. I confirmed ‘no breakfast’ and I saw her type something into the computer. Next morning at 7.25 (new staff), I was asked to pay the higher price. The above confirmation was not known or accepted. An argument ensued, then a stand off! Phone calls were made, no joy. Now 7.40, I had to leave. Eventually the lower price was reluctantly accepted but I HAD TO PAY CASH. This left me short of cash and time. This spoilt what could have been a good experience
A very dramatic situation on top of the hill overlooking the little town and lovely countryside.
Reception was extremely busy as we arrived - conference dinner? - which possibly explains the somewhat cursory greeting and directions to our room.
Our bedroom and bathroom were delightful, plus lovely balcony overlooking inner courtyard.
I was disappointed with the decor of your dining room, very 1950-60’s in its black timbers, red curtain and seat colour scenario, it is in dire need of an update.
You have a truly magnificent hanging on the far wall. Why not use the colours in that for redecorating the room - pale grey roof timbers will ‘lif’t the ceiling; the whole room would appear even larger, lighter and so much more elegant and inviting.
And why do we need to look at not particularly beautiful or antique cupboards, containing the linen etc? Could they not be tucked elsewhere?
Your bar staff were delightful, also our waitress at dinner. And the food was good.
My wife and I have been to a number of Paradors and again we were delighted with this one in Siguenza. For our Son it was his first Parador and he was hugely impressed.
The setting is spectacular, the atmosphare warm and friendly and the facilities excellent.
Another memorable experience.
What a treat to stay in a medieval castle complete with contemporary comforts! We especially appreciated the comfortable bed, the modern bathroom with decent-sized bars of soap, and the view from our balcony. Plan to arrive early enough to see the sunset’s rays bathe the castle in pink light.
We had a lovely time at the parador: the staff were friendly and helpful, the castle itself was stunning and the rooms were of the usual high standard. We were two families with 4 children (ages 5-8) between us, and I highly recommend the Sigüenza parador for families. The kids had the time of their lives exploring the castle and pretending to be royalty:) The food was excellent, and they had a good kids meny. The town itself is beautiful and charming and the locals are very friendly, especially if you speak Spanish as well. It is very easily accessible by train or car, so it makes a perfect weekend trip from Madrid. Try to get a room with a balcony overlooking the countryside: great for hanging out on a cool evening and spotting wildlife, such as deer and eagles (which our kids also enjoyed!).
We arrived on a very hot day and the carpark was unshaded. The entry was not clearly marked but the Reception staff were busy but helpful. The restaurants were excellent and our room and bathroom of the usual high standard - overlooking a pretty courtyard. The castle itself is enchanting and we were sorry to leave.
Beautiful place as was the Parador at Jaen. staff, service, accomodation excellent.
Breakfast superb, only disappointment was the dinner in the evening.
All seem to offer the same things - we thought that the hotels of your standard should have a better choice of items on the table d’hote menu.
Otherwise - most enjoyable
We liked to stay here. Service and accomodation was outstanding.
Emmy and Siegfried Mermann, Vienna, Austria