Parador in Leon - alternatives?

[Bopper]

Hello! I will be starting my Camino in Leon and hoped to stay at the Parador for a couple of days to enjoy the city and this hotel. Unfortunately, it is closed on my days. Can anyone suggest another good place to stay for 2 days - private room & bathroom, good location, etc?

 

[tomnorth]

I stayed at the Hostal Albany in 2015. The location is great, right off the main square by the cathedral. The rooms are nice and have private bathrooms. I will stay there again.

 

[Kanga]

The Parador in Leon is fabulous, but it does have the disadvantage of being quite a way from the Cathedral, the Basilica de San Isidoro, and the old city. There are numerous albergues and cheaper options in Leon, but for those who want something more I've also enjoyed the Hostal Albany a few times, and the Hotel Paris. Both are in much better locations than the Parador. Plenty of delicious pastries in the bakery/cafes nearby!

And do take the time to visit not only the Cathedral (best stain glass windows in the world imo - pick a time when the sun pours in) but also the Basilica de San Isidoro with the pantheon of the kings of Leon, containing some wonderfully preserved 12th century murals. Give it enough time - entry numbers are restricted and through an air lock and sometimes you have to wait a few minutes.

 

[Bopper]

Thank you so much! Sounds great!

 

[jungleboy]

And do take the time to visit not only the Cathedral (best stain glass windows in the world imo - pick a time when the sun pours in) but also the Basilica de San Isidoro with the pantheon of the kings of Leon, containing some wonderfully preserved 12th century murals. Give it enough time - entry numbers are restricted and through an air lock and sometimes you have to wait a few minutes.

+1 to this. I thought the royal pantheon, in particular, was absolutely wonderful.

 

[Bopper]

I just googled it and WOW! Thank you for the tips! Any more are welcomed!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The León Parador is closed for a while for a major renovation. There are many alternatives for many prices. Albany is great, though it also is being renovated this winter. Try booking.com for the choices.

 

[Kanga]

Last September I stayed at the overflow rooms next door to the main part of the Albany. It has a separate entrance and stairs but they had just been renovated.

 

[SabsP]

http://www.hotelqhcentroleon.com/

Next to catedral but very quiet.Location unbeattable.
Nice staff and a lovely cafeteria /bar.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

https://www.gronze.com/castilla-y-leon/leon/leon/hostel-urban-rio-cea
Superb location and price.

 

[peregrina2000]

If you ar looking for a splurge at about the same level as the parador, you might try the NH in the Plaza Mayor. The Plaza Mayor in León is very pretty, close to the cathedral, but not a popular focal point of the city for whatever reason.

https://www.nh-collection.com/hotel...C2aMQAvD_BwE&dclid=CIHtlpPP9NkCFcPdwAod0xgNsA

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hospederia Monástica Pax is lovely.
You can find it on booking.com

 

[mark connolly]

I stayed at this one, about a two minute walk to the cathedral

 

[JenNZ]

We stayed here in 2016. Decided to have a rest day in Leon and booked one night. We loved it so much we stayed an extra night. Beautiful place, well worth checking out. Great history as well and you get a guided tour of the place.
http://www.hotelrealcolegiata.com/#

 

[easygoing]

This place was recommended by a Spanish guide. I will be staying there in May and it is a very historical building. I have stayed in the parador 5 times and this looks similar
http://www.hotelrealcolegiata.es/en/hotel

 

[Raymond McKenna]

This place was recommended by a Spanish guide. I will be staying there in May and it is a very historical building. I have stayed in the parador 5 times and this looks similar
http://www.hotelrealcolegiata.es/en/hotel

Yes this is an excellent and very atmospheric historic hotel. I stayed here for 2 nights last August on my way to Santiago. The accommodation and breakfast is first class equivalent to 4 or 5 star establishment at home

 

[lt56ny]

I stayed at the Hostal Albany in 2015. The location is great, right off the main square by the cathedral. The rooms are nice and have private bathrooms. I will stay there again.

Tom

I stayed at the Hostal Albany in 2015. The location is great, right off the main square by the cathedral. The rooms are nice and have private bathrooms. I will stay there again.

NO Tom!! Next year you will stay with Max and me at the Benedictine Pilgrim monastey with the huge room with about 85 guys and tiny little windows and guys snoring and making ungodly sounds all night and be a true Pilgrim!!!

 

[rovergirl]

I stayed at the NH Collection Hotel in Leon last Spring. Very comfortable accommodations in a nicely converted historic building, near the cathedral.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Hospederia Monástica Pax is lovely.

Another vote here.

 

[JennyH94]

Hotel Conde Luna in Leon is fabulous - Art Deco building - spacious rooms - everything you could want in a 4-5 Star hotel. The hotel also has a wonderful small bar, The American Bar, which is famous in Leon. An Orujo nightcap there is always enjoyable! Book direct with the hotel to receive the pilgrim discount - just let them know you're a pilgrim when you book. It's well located, just off the main drag and a short walk to the Cathedral.

 

[tomnorth]

Tom

NO Tom!! Next year you will stay with Max and me at the Benedictine Pilgrim monastey with the huge room with about 85 guys and tiny little windows and guys snoring and making ungodly sounds all night and be a true Pilgrim!!!

Hah! You make it sound pretty enticing.

 

[Kanga]

Sounds like I need to win the lottery so I can stay in some of these fabulous places!

 

[DebR]

http://www.hotelqhcentroleon.com/

Next to catedral but very quiet.Location unbeattable.
Nice staff and a lovely cafeteria /bar.

I second this suggestion. For 15€ or so you can also access the water spa as well: the pool and its many water jets are great for tired pilgrim muscles, or for muscles about to start out. Hotel Paris has a similar setup, but Hotel Q!H is my favourite...

 

[FLEUR]

Hostal San Martin was recommended to us and we loved our twin room, en suite when we stayed. No food service but plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby and it's close to the cathedral.

 

[lt56ny]

Hah! You make it sound pretty enticing.

They throw in breakfast too!!!

 

[Dsavid Keyte]

Hello! I will be starting my Camino in Leon and hoped to stay at the Parador for a couple of days to enjoy the city and this hotel. Unfortunately, it is closed on my days. Can anyone suggest another good place to stay for 2 days - private room & bathroom, good location, etc?

Yes closed for 2 years, as it was in such a bad state of repair.Try the Hotel Paris Calle Ancha, which also has a small Spa. The hotel is about 200 metres from the Barria Humedo and the Cathedral

 

[Bopper]

Thank you everyone for your responses - I really appreciate it!