A parador, in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, is a kind of luxury hotel, usually located in a converted historic building such as a monastery or castle, or in a modern building with a panoramic view of a historic and monumental city.

Founded by King Alfonso XIII in 1928 as a means to promote tourism in Spain, the state-run chain of luxury hotels opened its first parador in Gredos, Spain as a naturia (close to nature) hotel amidst the crystalline waters, rugged rocks, and green pinewoods of the Sierra de Gredos mountains. Since then, more than 90 other paradors have been established including those in Alcala de Henares and Toledo where we will be staying.

The Parador de Alcalá de Henares is classified as a civia (urban) hotel. Built in the 17th century, this beautiful hotel was once the ancient Dominican Collegiate-Convent of Santo Tomás de Aquino. This college-convent and student inn is located in the long-standing Colegio Mayor de San Jerónimo. It perfectly combines tradition and avant-garde; the interior decoration is modern and the design is exquisite, minimalist, and elegant. Far from being just a dormitory city after the busy days of Madrid, in the cobblestone streets of the historic center of Alcalá de Henares, you will discover the charm of the traces left by history in this university city. In this quintessential literary capital, Cervantes was born and some of the geniuses of the Spanish Renaissance-like Francisco de Quevedo, Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Tirso de Molina, and San Juan de la Cruz all lived here.​

The Parador de Toledo is an esentia (monumental and historic) hotel. The building was originally built by the Count of Toledo in the 14th century and is completely Toledan in character. The restaurant serves as a school for the chefs of the other Paradors, and the meals are nothing short of spectacular. The official name of the Toledo Parador is the "Parador Conde de Orgaz" which comes from the famous painting by El Greco – an adopted son of Toledo – titled "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz." It is set on the "Hill of the Emperor" and has unmatched views out over the city below. From the Parador’s terrace restaurant and from many of the rooms, there can be had a panoramic view of the city spread out below.