our modest B&B

In 1928 King Alphonso XIII of Spain created a chain of state-run luxury hotels to try and boost the country’s struggling tourist industry.

But this was no ordinary hotel chain. These hotels - Paradors - were often situated in grand historical buildings like this one, a 17thC Ducal Palace.  

The Parador de Lerma is ginormous - there is no other word to describe it.  Its frontage takes up one side of the town’s Plaza Mayor - one of the largest in Spain.  See Anniemay for an interior shot.

We would not normally consider a hotel like this for an overnight stop. But the Spanish have a wonderful attitude to pensioners and retirees, calling such lucky people ‘jubilados’ .  And the Paradors recognise jubilados of all nationalities by offering a ‘Golden Years’ discount, which means we get to stay in a palace for less than the cost of our ferry cabin.

Our room is in the left hand turret - 4th window up.