Parador

thumb|The "Castell de Cardona", a typical Parador, situated in an old castle.
A parador (), in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, is a kind of luxury hotel, usually located in a historic building such as a monastery or castle. Parar means to stop, halt or stay.
== Paradores de Turismo de España ==
Paradores de Turismo de España is a chain of Spanish luxury hotels. It was founded by Alfonso XIII of Spain as a means to promote tourism in Spain, with the first opening in Gredos, Ávila, in 1928. A profitable state-run enterprise, the hotels are often in castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings.
They stretch from Galicia in the north-west through Catalonia to Andalusia in the south of Spain, the Canary Islands and to the Spanish cities in North Africa. Prices usually vary according to room, region, and season.
The Portuguese equivalent, the Pousadas de Portugal, were founded in 1942, after the Spanish model.
== Paradores de Puerto Rico ==
Paradores de Puerto Rico are typically small, one-of-a-kind, locally owned and operated hotels found throughout the island commonwealth of Puerto Rico. They are frequented by guests looking to enjoy the local customs and charm while escaping the bustle of the more populated areas. Often called "country inns" in English, paradores in Puerto Rico are usually located in rural areas.
To be part of the Paradores de Puerto Rico Program, the hotel must meet certain standards set by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. These include being located outside the San Juan metro area (most of them are located on the west coast or in the mountains), must have 15 to 75 rooms, must have a restaurant on site or nearby, and must be family-owned and operated.
==References==
==External links==
* Paradores de Turismo de España
*US representative of the Paradores
*Official UK representative of the paradors
*Flickr group with photos of paradors
* Paradores de Puerto Rico
Category:Hotels in Spain
Category:Hotels in Puerto Rico
Category:Hotel chains
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