Parador de Chinchon

Spain - Chinchon

Luxury four star hotel using the renovated buildings of a seventeenth century Augustinian convent

This Parador is in the buildings of the former monastery of St. Mary of Paradise. This function ceased with the dissolution of the monasteries and the building was used as a prison before coming a courthouse.

The Parador forms part of the famous "Plaza Mayor", the large square which is closed on Saturdays in summer to hold bull fight. The spectators watch from the galleries that surround the square.

Its earlier claim to fame is that Felipe V was proclaimed King of Spain in the square at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession.

The building was extensively restored and converted for its present use over a period of ten years and opened as a Parador in 1982.

Inside the Parador, the visitor is reminded of the wealth, good eating and gracious living of the monasteries of the period that they were constructed. Very different to poverty and abstinence that is today associated with monastic life.

When the building was converted the old cloisters were enclosed in glass looking onto a courtyard with id fountain and shrubs. roses and privets.

The interior walls are decorated with Renaissance murals, magnificent tapestries and classical furniture in the Castile style.

The bedrooms are pleasant and spacious with windows looking out onto the gardens.
The Parador restaurant features old Spanish tiles an the lower portions of the walls. Beside International cuisine, local dishes feature strongly on the menu. The recommended dishes are a specialty of the chef:

"Sopa de ajo" a soup for lovers of garlic;
"Solomillo a la mostaza de hiervas verdes" which is a steak cooked in a herb sauce and flavoured with mustard;
"El cochinillo" being delicious roasted suckling pig;
There is also an attractive children's menu.

When not being used for bullfights, Plaza Grand is a very pleasant square with pavement cafes where many people drink the locally produce aniseed aperitif.

The square is dominated by the parish curch where the brother of Goya was the Parish Priest and it is believed that the altar was decorated by the great artist.

Although most, outside of Spain, think that they have never heard of the town, a version is internationally known. In the 17th century the Count of Chinchon was the viceroy of Peru. His wife became ill and was treated by a local doctor with the bark of a tree. She brought this amazing medicine back to Europe where it was named after her. We now know it as quinine.

This Parador with its peace and the charming town make it a delightful place to stay rather than the modern hotels and the noise of nearby Madrid.
The Parador has thirty six twin bedded rooms and two suites all having a private bathroom.

All the rooms also have a telephone, satellite television, safe, air conditioning and a mini bar.

The building has air conditioning, a restaurant and bar. In the gardens there is a swimming pool.

Pats are not allowed in the hotel.

Due to the works, the Parador of Chinchon is reducing its offer of rooms as of 20 September 2006.

Directions

The Parador is in Plaza Mayor in the old centre of the town. Chinchon is 60 km from Madrid along the N-IV, at the junction with the main 404 road, through Ciempozuelos. Another option is the A-3 dual carriageway, near the Puente de Arganda, linking up with the M-311 road.