Parador de Cáceres Hotel

The rooms are luxurious, and the restored town house has lots of interesting quirks from its past. It's right in the medieval city center. My only complaint is that there’s no kettle, so there’s no tea or coffee in the room. I couldn't understand it, since every other hotel I've stayed in had one, and they don't offer complimentary tea or coffee downstairs either.

There were so many rules and so few services that this didn't feel like a four-star hotel to me. More like a low-level three-star. Breakfast was fine, but I had to go at the assigned time, which usually didn't fit my schedule, so I only went once. There was no coffee maker or iron in the room, no room service outside very specific hours, and no water for guests in the lobby. To get water, you had to go to the restaurant and pay. Most hotels have some water available to guests at all times. The building is beautiful and right in the historic center. I stayed three nights and came by taxi, without a car. My room was ready when I arrived, but it was very warm. I hoped it would cool down while I was out, but it was still 27 degrees when I got back. I had to get ready for a cocktail party, so I called the front desk to say the AC was broken and asked to move rooms. They wanted to come check that I had turned it on properly, eye roll lol. It was broken. They then wanted to send maintenance, but I asked for another room because I needed to get to the party. The whole thing would've been sorted faster if they'd moved me as I first asked, which was frustrating. The rooms feel dated and worn, and I think they need renovations. My sink was cracked, the tub had lots of scratches, there were holes in the wall plaster by the bed, and the furniture was worn with chipped wood. The room was clean, though, and the bed was comfortable.

I did sleep well, and the bed was fine. The AC in room 103 was very quiet. Still, I got irritated with this Parador, even though the location is great. I generally like Paradores, but the directions for parking in their email weren't accurate or clear. They could simply say to phone ahead and book a spot in the nearby underground garage, drive to Plaza Santa Clara, then go up Calle Ancha 30m, ignoring the no-entry sign. There are two spaces on the left in front of the small Parador courtyard, where you can unload and tell reception your car registration to avoid a fine. Then pick up the garage key and directions, return to the car, and drive back down Calle Ancha past Plaza Santa Clara to the garage. Simple. Getting in and out of the underground garage on Calle del Cmo Llano is another matter. I've used Spanish underground garages for over two decades, but this one was a real challenge even in an Audi A3. Anything larger would be a struggle. Good luck! The walk back to the Parador takes about 8 minutes. That's a warning about the garage, rather than really a criticism of the Parador. I booked the top category room based on another review and requested Room 103, which is huge. It’s on the ground floor across the courtyard, though, not in the original palace, and the patio-facing windows mean there's no privacy. I can't complain since I asked for it. The Nespresso machine had no coffee capsules, tea, sugar, or anything beside it. There was a bottle of water. I don't think coffee is stocked in that room, but I don't know about the others. The bathroom had a huge jacuzzi, which I tried but couldn't get running. At breakfast, the teenagers staying with us in the second room said they couldn't make it work either. At checkout I mentioned it to the reception manager. He said the switch is difficult to find and has to be turned on outside. I said instructions in both rooms would help. He said there were normally instructions, but there were none, just like with the coffee, and these details should be looked into. He replied that the last option is always to call reception. I said, “naked and wet? I don’t think so.” Honestly, there are better ways for a hotel manager to handle a guest complaint. I went back to get my bag and searched all around outside the bathroom for a switch, but couldn't find one. Now I'm doubting the jacuzzi even works. By then I felt I’d already made a nuisance of myself with the manager, so I didn't go back to ask about the “secret switch.” If a hotel puts a jacuzzi and coffee machine in the room, they should be usable. That's my message to Paradores. Breakfast at EUR20 per person could be better. They served eggs, which was fine, but there was no salt and pepper readily available, ideally in a pepper grinder. I wasted time searching, and the only waiter was in the kitchen much of the time. I had to ask him, and he came back with two little sachets of salt and one of pepper for three plates of eggs. A competitor of Paradores has the slogan “es una cuestion de detailles.” So true.

The room showed its age: the closet doors wouldn't close properly, the bathtub was scratched inside, there were no drawers for folded clothes, and one of the entryway lights was out. For the same price, we could have chosen a nicer hotel or an upscale Airbnb. The staff, though, were very nice and professional, and the restaurant food and service were excellent.