Parador De Gijon

We enjoyed a three night break here. Set in the corner of a lovely park which had brown squirrels, a lake with a variety of ducks and swans, including trees full of egrets, an aviary with many different bird species including an open pen containing emus, peacocks and chickens. A pleasant walk across the park brings you to the extensive beach. Cleaned daily, great for sunbathing and surfboarding. A longer walk to the (right sided) peninsula, beautiful views. Staff at the Parador were all wonderful, friendly and helpful. A varied menu of eight starters, eight mains and six desserts. I recommend the hake in cider sauce, my husband enjoyed the fabada. I really loved the leek starter but would not recommend the lettuce hearts with anchovy. Breakfasts are self serve buffet, individual bamboo tongs at your table setting instead of using your fingers. A hot menu is also provided. You won't go hungry. We asked to move our half board dinner to lunch time on the last day as eating from eight pm was difficult for me. This was easily rearranged. No complaints about the room although as always in Spain noise travels as Spanish people don't seem to be quite as attuned to the idea of keeping quiet in the corridors. I believe this is a cultural issue and not applicable to this Parador alone.

This was the first parador we've ever stayed in and we were rather disappointed. The rooms were very much in need of a makeover with a lot of chipped wood. It was called El Molino, and we assumed it was an old windmill but couldn't see any sign of it. We paid to have breakfast but were only offered the menu for a cooked breakfast after we'd been there 25 minutes by which time we had practically finished. However we did book a table at the restaurant for dinner. The service there was excellent and the food superb, so it wasn't all bad.

Reception very helpful. Public areas really beautiful. Room was spacious and nice with good bathroom but stuffy - aircon didn't appear to work, window only opened a bit and couldn't open the shutters properly. Dinner was delicious and service was fantastic. Breakfast less so - when we had nearly finished eating the cold buffet, the staff brought us a menu for hot food. Layout disorganised with bread, butter and jam in three separate corners of the room. Very fair price for room.

We were given a small, dated room, with two single beds pushed together. No kettle or tea & coffee making facilities provided in room. There was a small fridge, with two bottles of water, however these were part of the mini-bar contents and if drunk, guests would be charged. So no complimentary bottled water, which, in my opinion, is unacceptable, particularly during very hot weather. The room had an ancient TV with no English speaking channels. We managed to get one of the last remaining spaces in their small private car park, hence we were reluctant to give up our space and drive closer to the old town which is a 30 minute walk through the park and along the promenade. I wish I’d read more reviews before selecting this Parador. Just relieved we were only staying the one night and didn’t include breakfast. Actually had a reasonable nights sleep, comfortable bed and a quiet room. My recommendation - stay somewhere else.