Parador Mazagon

Hotel Cristobal Colon

This Parador, surrounded by pine trees, is set in large gardens facing the ocean with the long sandy Mazagon beach in front.

The Parador is named after Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon) who lived in the area for part of his life.

As well as the beach, there is the surrounding Donana Nature reserve to keep visitors occupied during their stay.

The restaurant serves international food but specialises in the dishes of this Atlantic Coast of Southern Spain. Fish dishes feature strongly on the menu and in particular locally caught shell fish, particularly shrimps, prawns and cockles.

From the mountains inland come the cured hams of Jabugo and Iberian pates. The chef particularly recommends the main courses containing the excellent local pork.

The restaurant has a special menu for those on a gluten free diet.

A visit to the city of Huelva allows you to look at the churches of San Pedro, La Concepcion, La Merced, together with the Sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de la Cinta.

Another place of interest is the Monastery of La Rabida at Palos de la Frontera. A Franciscan monk at this convent listened to Columbus telling him of his dream of discovering an alternative route to India. The monk persuaded him to apply to the king for support. Fra. Juan must have been a very enlightened man for, at that time, the church considered the the earth was flat and Columbus would fall of the edge.

The port of Palos de la Frontera has now silted up and it is difficult to imagine the fleet of three ships setting off from here on their epic voyage, leading to the discovery of America. Prior to the voyage, the edict of the king ordering conscription of local sailors and the construction of three caravels was read by the mayor in the main square of the town.

Visit also the village of Moguer where the Spanish poet Juan Ramon Jimenez got his inspiration to write his masterpiece, known in English as ”Platero and me”.

The gardens of the hotel are splendid with the seasonal swimming pool on the cliffs with a path with 170 steps leading down to the beach below. There is a playground area for children.

The bedrooms are spacious with terraces and beautiful views over the calm waters of this coast. The scene is of yachts passing and, on the horizon, the ships making their way to and from the busy straits of Gibraltar.

Your visit may coincide with the Latin American Cinema Festival held every November in Huelva. Also every year in May and June is the Rocio ”Romeria” (pilgrimage) in Almonte which is certainly worth a visit. The first week in September is the time of the festival that is held in Moguer

The reception will arrange for a trip in the National Park in one of the park's vehicles. This half day tour will take you for about eighty kilometres looking at the many birds that are in this area. It is particularly interesting during the spring and autumn migrations when the tired birds are resting before or after crossing the sea into Africa.

This Parador has fifty three twin bedded rooms, nine rooms with a double bed and a suite. All the rooms have a private bathroom.

All bedrooms have a telephone, satellite television, safe, and a mini bar.

In the hotel there is air conditioning, central heating, currency exchange, parking facilities (without security and limited places), satellite television and gift shop. There is jacuzzi, sauna and heated swimming pool (fee applies), gymnasium, tennis court, garden, children's play area and restaurant. and bar. There are facilities to hold business meetings.

Distance from the nearest airport is approximately 125 kms and the nearest train station is 24 kms away.

Animals are not allowed.