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Summary of reviewsParador de Olite, located in the heart of the historic city of Olite, offers guests a unique and enchanting experience thanks to its integration into the magnificent castle and proximity to key landmarks like the Palace of the Kings of Navarra. The hotel's beautiful, historic setting provides a picturesque backdrop perfect for exploring the medieval town and offers convenient accessibility for day trips to nearby Pamplona.
Breakfast at the Parador de Olite is generally praised for its quality and variety with many guests enjoying the delicious, abundant offerings, including freshly prepared hot dishes and a rich buffet. However, some guests find the breakfast overpriced, citing limited choices and issues with the buffet restocking.
Dinner experiences receive commendation for the superb, delicious food, catering well to various dietary needs—including children's and vegetarian options. The restaurant ambiance, enhanced by medieval decor, adds to the dining enjoyment. Despite some criticisms on food consistency and service organization, many guests still recommend dining at the hotel, particularly highlighting the half-board option to explore local cuisine.
Guest rooms are noted for their traditional charm and character, featuring vintage furniture and four-poster beds, making the stay memorable despite some areas needing improvement in terms of size, lighting and modern amenities. Cleanliness is a high point with many guests praising the spotless environment maintained by the diligent cleaning staff. Despite occasional lapses, the overwhelmingly clean and well-kept surroundings enhance the overall ambiance.
The staff at Parador de Olite are consistently praised for their friendliness and helpfulness with many guests appreciating the efficient, professional service from reception to restaurant staff. The general positive demeanor of the staff ensures a pleasant and welcoming experience, despite occasional criticisms regarding the number of personnel during busy periods.
Family-friendly features also stand out with reasonable children's menu options and a delightful environment for kids, evidenced by positive reviews from families. However, room configurations for three people sometimes lack comfort and the hotel offers limited specific amenities for small children or older teenagers.
Beds receive mixed reviews with some guests finding them very comfortable and others describing them as excessively firm or outdated, impacting sleep quality for certain visitors.
Historically, the Parador de Olite shines, offering guests the chance to stay in a medieval palace that successfully preserves its original charm. The historical decor and unique castle features contribute to a magical ambiance, attracting guests interested in a journey back in time amidst medieval scenery.
In summary, Parador de Olite provides an enchanting and historically rich stay with comfortable accommodations, friendly service and gourmet dining experiences. While there are areas needing improvement, the overall charm and exceptional location make it a memorable destination for exploring the historic town of Olite. Show more
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Former Castle Hotel
Built in the 15th century as the summer residence of King Charles III, the Gothic-style castle was one of the largest castles in Spain, featuring 15 towers, countless corridors and more than 300 chambers. Despite its grandiose making, the castle didn't survive long enough, as it was damaged in the 17th century during the Napoleonic Wars.
Haunted Hotel
A 15th century castle considered as a national monument today, Parador de Olite is much more than just a historical site to be admired. In fact, the spirit of an ancient prince appears to still reside in the castle, keeping the light bulb above his portrait on at all times, even when all the lights in the castle have been turned off. Perhaps he's too afraid of being forgotten...
Historic Hotel
Year erected:13th century
Answers last updated by Parador de Olite
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Room Types
Standard Double RoomThis air-conditioned room features a TV, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. This room is located in the hotel's newer building.
Standard Double Room (2 Adults + 1 Child)This air-conditioned room features a TV, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. This room is located in the hotel's newer building.
Standard Double Room (3 Adults)This air-conditioned room features a TV, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. This room is located in the hotel's newer building. There are 2 single beds and a sofa bed.
Superior Double RoomThis air-conditioned room is located in the original palace building and features air conditioning, a TV, minibar and private bathroom with a hairdryer.
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
Parador de Olite enjoys an exceptional location right in the heart of the historic city of Olite. Integrated into the city's magnificent castle, guests can experience a unique blend of history and charm. The hotel is situated in the central town square, offering convenient access to the main landmarks and attractions. Its proximity to the restored castle and the Palace of the Kings of Navarra makes it an ideal base for exploring the picturesque medieval town. With easy parking nearby and its position in a beautiful, historic building, the Parador is perfect for both deep dives into local history and leisurely explorations of the quaint village. The accessibility for day trips to nearby Pamplona adds to its appeal. A stay at Parador de Olite promises not just comfortable accommodations, but a journey back in time amidst stunning surroundings.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Parador de Olite receives mixed reviews with many guests praising its quality and variety. Positive comments highlight the breakfast as very good, delicious and abundant with the added benefit of hot dishes cooked to order, ensuring freshness. Many guests found the breakfast complete with a rich buffet offering churros, regional products and a variety of items. The dining experience is often described as delightful and set in a pleasant ambiance, adding to the overall enjoyment.
However, there are notable criticisms. Some guests felt the breakfast was overpriced for what it offered with mentions of limited choices and insufficient stocking of the buffet. Instances of dissatisfaction included comments about the breakfast being below standard or very basic, lacking in variety and freshness. Issues such as the high cost for the perceived value and the necessity to book time slots were also mentioned.
Despite some areas needing improvement, the breakfast at Parador de Olite still manages to impress many with its quality, extensive variety and freshly prepared dishes. For those prepared to navigate some of the potential downsides, it remains a solid option to start the day.
Dinner
The reviews of the dinner experience at Parador de Olite reveal a mix of opinions with a notable emphasis on positive aspects. Many guests commend the restaurant as excellent, highlighting it as much better than other local options in Olite. The food is often described as superb, delicious and well-prepared with specific praises for the children's menu, vegetarian options and accommodations for celiac disease. The menu offers a good variety, including traditional dishes and the wine list, though limited, is noted to be well-curated.
However, there are criticisms to consider. Some guests found the food quality inconsistent and not always up to the parador's esteemed reputation with a few meals described as disappointing or overpriced. Service emerged as a significant issue with reports of long wait times between courses and a disorganized dinner setup contributing to the dissatisfaction. Despite these drawbacks, many reviewers still recommend dining at the hotel, particularly highlighting the convenient half-board option to explore local cuisine.
The restaurant's ambiance and medieval decor also receive positive remarks, enriching the dining experience overall. For travelers planning a visit, it might be worth considering the high points of delicious, varied meals tempered by occasional service hitches.
Rooms
The guest rooms at Parador de Olite receive mixed feedback. On the positive side, many guests appreciate the traditional charm and character of the rooms with several highlighting features such as vintage furniture, four-poster beds and enclosed balconies. The comfortable and spacious nature of the rooms, along with amenities like terraces and good quality bathroom fixtures, are also praised. Guests note that the rooms are clean and have a historical feel with original stone walls, which adds to the overall ambiance.
However, there are numerous mentions of areas needing improvement. Some rooms are described as small, dark and outdated with poor soundproofing, uncomfortable beds and problematic temperature control. Various guests also point out issues like sewage smells, defective fixtures and dated decor. The level of room maintenance seems to vary with some rooms appearing tired and in need of renovation.
Despite these criticisms, the overall atmosphere of the hotel is appreciated and many find the unique, historical charm of the rooms appealing. Rooms in newer parts of the hotel are noted to be more modern and comfortable, though not as charming as those in the original building. Overall, while the rooms have their drawbacks, the unique setting and historical character provide a memorable experience for many guests.
Beds
Travelers to the Parador de Olite frequently mention the hotel's beds in their reviews with a mix of feedback highlighting both comfort and areas for improvement. Many guests enjoyed comfortable beds, praising them as very comfortable, delicious and even royal-sized with high-quality linens. On the flip side, other reviewers noted that the mattresses were hard with some describing them as excessively firm or mentioning that the hardness made it possible to feel the springs. Additionally, some guests suggested the need for mattress pads to enhance comfort and a few remarked on old or deformed mattresses. Despite these mixed experiences, the charm of sleeping in beds reminiscent of royalty seems to create a memorable stay for many visitors.
Cleanliness
Parador de Olite receives high praise for its cleanliness with many guests highlighting the exceptionally clean and spacious rooms. Positive remarks frequently mention the hotel’s comfortable and meticulously well-maintained environment. The cleaning staff are noted for doing an excellent job, ensuring a spotless atmosphere throughout the hotel. The cleanliness extends to both the rooms and bathrooms, offering a reassuring sense of hygiene and care. The overall ambiance is enhanced by the authentic and charming decor with the hotel’s historic style adding to its appeal.
However, some reviews indicate occasional lapses in maintenance, such as dusty furniture, dirty walls and mould in bathroom tiles, which can detract from the overall experience. Issues with soundproofing were also mentioned, impacting the comfort for some guests. Despite these few drawbacks, the majority of visitors were pleased with their stay, appreciating the excellent staff service and the beautiful, atmospheric surroundings.
Staff
The staff at Parador de Olite consistently receive high praise from guests for their friendliness and helpfulness. Many find the reception staff to be efficient and accommodating, often going the extra mile to provide assistance, such as arranging transportation. Guests commend the overall attentiveness and courteous nature of the staff, highlighting their willingness to offer suggestions and exceptional service. The restaurant staff is also noted for their kindness and service, though a few guests mentioned that some members could be more welcoming.
The warm and professional demeanor of the staff extends across various roles, from reception to wait staff, ensuring a pleasant experience. While there were occasional comments about certain staff members being a bit curt or unwelcoming, the general consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Visitors appreciate the staff's competence and efficiency, making the stay enjoyable and comfortable.
Special mentions include individuals who were particularly impressive in their kindness and professionalism, contributing to an overall impressionable and attentive service. Despite a few areas needing improvement, such as the number of personnel during busy periods or communication in different languages, the staff’s dedication to guests is evident, creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for all who visit.
Family
Parador de Olite receives high praise for its family-friendly environment, making it a beautiful place to visit with kids. Families can enjoy hearty and diverse children's menu options at the restaurant, available at reasonable prices. The friendly service adds an extra touch, making it great for kids.
Children, including those aged 9 and 13, expressed delight during their stay and many families enjoyed spending time together in the picturesque square, basking in the evening sun. Recommendations from other families, like the family Glock, highlight the positive experiences for young visitors.
However, it's worth noting some limitations. Rooms designed for three people may not always offer comfort, as the additional beds provided were sometimes of poor quality. Additionally, there were no specific amenities for small children and menu options were not suitable for older kids, such as teenagers. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall experience remains positive for families seeking a memorable visit to Olite.
3 Star
Parador de Olite, a historically significant hotel that prides itself on its luxury status, appears to fall short of expectations for many guests. Reviews frequently mention the superior category rooms do not match the anticipated standards, especially noting the outdated bathrooms that would benefit from renovation. While the rooms are described as comfortable and some even feature spacious balconies, the overall facilities and services are deemed inadequate.
The common areas lack sufficient relaxing or socializing spaces and the soundproofing of the rooms could be improved. The on-site restaurant does not meet the expectations of its guests with comments on its limited menu and subpar food quality. Furthermore, the breakfast selection is criticized for being mediocre, offering simple pastries and little variety.
Many guests feel the hotel charges premium rates that are not justified by its three-star facilities and services. There is a general sense that the property is in need of a comprehensive rehabilitation to align with the Parador brand standards. As such, despite its historical allure, Parador de Olite is viewed more as a budget hotel operating under a luxury facade, leading to dissatisfaction among visitors.
Historic
The Parador de Olite offers guests a unique opportunity to stay in the former Castle for the King of Navarro, a fascinating 13th-century palace. The impressive medieval palace exudes historical charm with many visitors noting the experience felt like stepping back in time. The common areas of the hotel are intrinsic to its charm with medieval decoration and castle-like features such as towers, turrets and even dungeons. The historical ensemble is notably stunning, creating a lovely atmosphere that feels magical.
The Parador's successful preservation and renovation efforts ensure quality and style are at the forefront of your stay. The hotel's location in the historic walled town of Olite with its medieval history and beautiful scenery, adds to the enriching experience. The town itself is a hidden gem filled with medieval-era buildings, offering plenty of historical surprises.
The hotel’s facilities, while noted by some to be slightly outdated, are generally envied and appreciated. Being part of the surroundings of the Castle-Palace of Olite, it maintains an historically beautiful environment. Guests rave about the special atmosphere with some recommending the experience of sleeping in a castle tower. Coupled with a magnificent menu and great breakfast, the culinary offerings are also a highlight. The Parador de Olite provides a charming, historical stay with an impressive building set in an ancient, beautiful community.
No, Parador de Olite doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Parador de Olite.
No, Parador de Olite doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Parador de Olite.