El patio de un parador (Museo del Prado)

A ''parador'' (), in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

and other

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

-speaking countries was an establishment where travelers could seek

lodging Lodging refers to the use of a short-term dwelling, usually by renting the living space or sometimes through some other arrangement. People who travel and stay away from home for more than a day need lodging for sleep, rest, food, safety, shel ...

, and usually, food and drink, similar to an

inn Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommo ...

. In Spain since 1928, a

Parador A ''parador'' (), in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries was an establishment where travelers could seek lodging, and usually, food and drink, similar to an inn. In Spain since 1928, a Parador is a state-owned luxury hotel, usually located ...

is a state-owned luxury

hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a ref ...

, usually located in a converted historic building such as a

monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...

castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

, or in a modern building in a nature area with a special appeal or with a panoramic view of a historic and monumental city. Paradores de Puerto Rico is a brand of small inns, similar to

bed and breakfasts Bed and breakfast (typically shortened to B&B or BnB) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. Bed and breakfasts are often private family homes and typically have between four and eleven rooms, wit ...

, that have government permission to call themselves based on a set of criteria. In Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile, a small number of

estancia An estancia is a large, private plot of land used for farming or raising cattle or sheep. Estancias in the southern South American grasslands, the ''pampas'', have historically been estates used to raise livestock, such as cattle or sheep. In Pu ...

s, particularly those with historic architecture, have been converted into guest ranches called paradores. ''Parar'' means to stop, halt or stay in Spanish.

Paradores de Turismo de España

Paradores de Turismo de España, branded as Paradores, is a Spanish

state-owned State ownership, also called government ownership and public ownership, is the ownership of an industry, asset, or enterprise by the state or a public body representing a community, as opposed to an individual or private party. Public ownersh ...

chain of luxury hotels that are usually located in historic buildings or in modern buildings in nature areas with a special appeal or with panoramic views of historical and monumental cities. The company was created with the double objective of promoting

tourism Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring (disambiguation), touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tour (disambiguation), tours. Th ...

in areas that lacked adequate accommodations, and of putting unused large historic buildings to use, for the maintenance of the national heritage. Along its history, the establishments of its network have been branded as Parador, Parador Nacional, Parador de Turismo or Parador Nacional de Turismo in different times. Its first Parador was inaugurated by King

Alfonso XIII Alfonso XIII (17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941), also known as El Africano or the African, was King of Spain from 17 May 1886 to 14 April 1931, when the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed. He was a monarch from birth as his father, Alfo ...

on 9 October 1928 in

Navarredonda de Gredos Navarredonda de Gredos is a municipality located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2011 census (INE), the municipality had a population of 472 inhabitants. The area is located at an elevation of above sea leve ...

(

Ávila Ávila (, , ) is a city of Spain located in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is the capital and most populated municipality of the Province of Ávila. It lies on the right bank of the Adaja river. Located more than 1,130 m abov ...

). The

Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos A hostal is a type of lodging very common in Spain and Hispanic America. Hostals tend to be cheaper than hotels. They normally have a bar, restaurant or cafeteria where drinks and food are sold to guests and locals alike. Accommodations typi ...

Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain. The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, as the destination of the Way of St ...

, one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the world, is the finest and the largest by capacity Parador. This state-run network has been profitable and operates ninety-eight Paradores as of 2022. The Portuguese equivalent, the

Pousadas de Portugal Pousadas de Portugal () is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels in Portugal. Formerly run by the Portuguese State, they are now run by the Pestana Group, which in September 2003 won a public bid for the sale of 37.6% of parent compa ...

, were founded in 1941, after the Spanish model.

Paradores de Puerto Rico

The

Puerto Rico Tourism Company The Puerto Rico Tourism Company ( es, Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico, or simply ''Turismo'') is the government-owned corporation in charge of tourism matters and regulations in Puerto Rico. The company was created during Governor Luis A. F ...

was established during the early 1970s under the administration of Governor Luis A. Ferre, who wanted to enhance the tourism sector of the island. The company runs an enterprise known as Paradores de Puerto Rico; these are typically small, one-of-a-kind, locally owned and operated hotels located in rural areas throughout the island commonwealth. They are frequented by guests looking to enjoy the local customs and charm. Often called "country inns" in English, Paradores de Puerto Rico are usually located in rural areas. To be part of the Paradores de Puerto Rico Program, the hotel must meet certain standards set by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. These include being located outside the San Juan metro area (most of them are located on the west coast or in the mountains), having 15 to 75 rooms, having a restaurant on site or nearby, and being family-owned and operated.

References

{{reflist Hotel types

Paradores de Turismo de España

Paradores de Puerto Rico

See also

References