Toledo is a city meant to be explored on foot, but having an overview changes everything. That's exactly what the Parador offers. It sits on the Cerro del Emperador, on the other side of the river, facing the city head-on. The building doesn't try to look medieval, but it fits well into the landscape with the style of the traditional country houses around. For those seeking quiet, a pool and Toledo framed in the window, it's a great choice.
How to get there and first impressions
The Parador Nacional Conde de Orgaz is 4 km from Toledo's old town, on top of a hill facing the old city. The only way to get there is by car, driving up the road that passes by the Mirador del Valle.
The first impression is of a place with more history than it actually has. The building isn't medieval, but the architecture imitates the style of the cigarrales (traditional Toledan country houses), with brick, wood and Arabic roof tiles... and it works.
Inside, there's wood everywhere, beamed ceilings, paintings on the walls and warm lighting. At the far end of the lobby, the cafeteria opens up with a glass wall and the whole of Toledo on the other side. Spoiler: the views are the best thing about the place, but more on that shortly, with plenty of photos.
What are the rooms like?
The rooms are spacious and the décor follows the same style as the rest of the hotel. It's a comfortable atmosphere, without excess. The bathroom has two sinks, a bath and plenty of space for two.
One thing that stood out is that reception is on the third floor and many of the rooms are below. Since it's built on a hillside, the hotel sort of "grows downwards". Most rooms look out onto the pool area, and those on the first floor have direct access through the balcony door, which was our case. It was brilliant, literally stepping out of bed and into the pool. The rooms with city views are above the cafeteria, which might be a bit noisier, though that's just a guess as we didn't stay in that area.
Food at the Parador de Toledo
The Parador has a formal restaurant and a cafeteria, and both are open to the public (you can visit it even if you are not hosted there). The cafeteria is more casual and has a simple menu, with salads, sandwiches, pizzas and that sort of thing, with prices ranging between 15 and 17 euros per dish.
The restaurant is more formal and reservations are recommended. They serve traditional regional dishes such as Toledo-style partridge, migas (a bit like a breadcrumb hash) and marinated venison loin. The signature dessert is the ponche toledano, a tart with a marzipan base. The average price is around 40 euros per person without drinks, and the portions are on the small side, but the dishes are well executed.
Breakfast costs €22 per person and can be added to your booking or already included depending on the rate chosen. The spread includes cheeses, jamón, various types of bread, tomato, as well as hot dishes from the kitchen such as scrambled or fried eggs, migas and churros.
The cafeteria views
The cafeteria terrace has a direct view over the whole of Toledo. You can see everything from up there, the Cathedral on one side, the Alcázar on the other, and the historic city spreading out between them. It's worth visiting even if you're not staying, if only for a coffee (or a glass of wine).
So, is it worth it?
The Parador de Toledo isn't the ideal hotel for first-time visitors to Toledo who want to spend their time exploring the city. Being 4 km from the centre means relying on a car for everything, and that gets tiring (parking in the city is also a bit of a headache).
But if what you want is to enjoy the hotel itself, the pool, dinner with a view and mornings without rushing, it makes perfect sense. It's a hotel that works as a destination in its own right. Staying in a parador has an atmosphere that an ordinary hotel simply doesn't have, and the views make any journey worthwhile.
For those who already know Toledo and want to return in a different way, or for anyone looking for a weekend escape with comfort and a pool, it's a brilliant option.
Where to book the Parador de Toledo
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More about Toledo
If the Parador has sparked your interest in exploring the city further, we have other articles to help you plan.
