Parador de Calahorra

The building is lovely, and we had no problems with the room or location. We usually give paradors five stars, but couldn't eat at the restaurant this time because it was fully booked. No one warned us when we arrived that we needed to reserve, so we went out instead. The bar menu looked okay. Breakfast was a bit of a shambles, with missing crockery and too few staff, though the food itself was fine.

A nice, quiet place to stay in Calahorra, Spain. Bilbao airport is about two hours away.

We keep stopping here on the way from Catalunya to Valladolid, and it's always a pleasure. It's easy to reach from the AP-68, with good free parking, and makes a great lunch stop. The setting is calm, the service attentive, and the Parador has an elegant, classical feel. The Riojanan food is rich and tasty, and good value. Much better than an expensive highway gas station meal with poor quality food. Paradores are a reliable choice for classical regional food in elegant historic buildings.

The staff in reception, the bar, and the restaurant were excellent, very helpful and professional. We had lunch and breakfast here. The grilled lamb chops were overcooked and burnt in places, which was disappointing, though the rest of lunch was very good. Breakfast had the wide selection and fresh, quality food we expect at paradors. Our standard room was spacious and furnished appropriately, but the wooden floor creaked in spots as we walked. At night, that could be an issue if people in a room above you are moving around. The location is incredible, within walking distance of nearly all the sights. The parador's parking lot isn't very large, so arriving late evening or at night may mean there's no space. We stayed one night and think it's worth a visit, and might return someday, but we definitely won't order the grilled lamb chops again.