Parador de Olite

A lovely little village with an amazing castle - the Parador. Not to be beaten. Try the veal steak. The village has character and history and is only just off of the beaten track. For us it was the perfect stop over on our journey south.

A small parador, our first. Very grand, part of an old palace. Beautifully appointed. Excellent staff, comfort and cuisine. Right in centre of medieval town. No onsite parking, but free parking nearby.

We spent a night here on a road trip back to the UK. It was a very cold and windy afternoon when we arrived and the town was very quiet, but we were delighted with the Parador's location and surrounding. Check-in was very friendly and efficient. We booked a superior room and it was very large, furnished in quality and in keeping with the surrounding. We had a very large bathroom and bed, with lovely linens. We had both dinner and breakfast in the hotel and enjoyed both. I would definitely stay here again!

A fine Parador in a beautifully adapted historic building. We had a superior room which we thought was worth the upgrade. Very spacious lounge. We had an excellent lunch at El Tubal in Tafalla, an easy 90-minute walk from the Parador. (The next day, we walked from here to Ujue on the GR1.)

We stated one night. People were great, the lounge what you expect: really nice. However the room was a bit depressing with furniture that had seen better days. The corridors with old carpets and iron lamps didn’t add to a nice atmosphere. Quite on the contrary. The village, though with a nice Snow White type castle, is deserted. Or seems to be. Hence there is not much of an atmosphere walking around. We were very disappointed. Again: not with the people, all very nice indeed.

I wish we’d had longer to stay at this Parador. It is an absolute gem! Just look at my photos. A beautiful building, nestled in the perfect setting, real Spain. We walked about the mediaeval streets. in the evening. It was very lively with lots of families and children out, even though it was cold (November). Surprisingly, the bars did not stock, a range of drinks and it was impossible to buy jerez! We returned to the Parador, where the young barman is very well informed and the bar, of course, well-stocked. We had a lovely evening and an excellent meal in the impressive dining room. Sadly, the young staff seem overstretched and the service was very slaw and I am sorry yo say, poor. I must say that they’re polite and they smile, but they just don’t seem to have the required skills or they have not been trained. Our room in the attic had a lovely view and was nicely decorated in the castle style, somewhat cramped. Perhaps as we hadn’t paid top dollar they relegated us to the loft space haha When I pulled out the plug after a bath in the evening, the entire contents of the bath, began to flood up through a drain in the floor near the toilet. Later, I explained to the young couple on reception and they seemed incredulous. I asked them to go upstairs to have a look at it. They did this, and anyway, the problem righted itself as if a blockage had been dislodged. The smell from the drain was subsequently foul. We were also extremely cold in the room. My husband who is in his 70s was told to wear another jumper. We said this wasn’t really acceptable and a huge portable radiator was placed in a tiny room. This was a great improvement. I do think the Spanish government could afford to heat the paradors to a decent level, considering the high price you pay to stay there. Also, some of the staff need extra support and training (not the young barmen, who was brilliant, really efficient).