Spectacular architecture, including a cloister and gothic façade details
Convenient proximity to center of town, including shopping and restaurants
Close to the Roman Bridge and the pilgrimage path of Camino de Santiago
Spacious rooms with interesting preserved architecture; some with balconies
Extensive and beautiful grounds, including a shrubbery maze
Striking lobby and interesting architecture in bars and restaurants
Breakfast gets high marks
Formal restaurant gets mixed reviews, particularly for service
Room furnishings may be a bit worn around the edges
Some complaints about sound proofing
One of the major architectural monuments of the city of Leon, the 426-room Parador Hostal San Marcos de Leon is an elegant hotel with extensive and beautiful grounds. The Parador chain hotels are typically luxury hotels located in a former castle or monastery; this Parador is a former hospital for pilgrims along St. James' Way. A splendidly renovated building, it is still a stopping point for pilgrims and tourists. Rooms are spacious with historic touches like four-poster beds and interesting preserved architecture. The lobby is striking and the fascinating architecture continues in the hotel's bars and restaurants, but some guests have complained about a lack of soundproofing.
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Scene
Historic hotel with impressive architecture
This hotel is a point of strong cultural interest with roots in the 16th century; it was originally meant to house a military order under King Ferdinand the Catholic and went on to serve as a hospital for pilgrims. The exterior façade is an important example of Spanish Renaissance architecture; the lobby is replete with oil paintings, carved stone, and heavy wood doors. The property is also a popular destination for weddings. Pilgrims often stop here before or after walking a part of Saint James' Way.
Location
Near the center of the town of Leon on a main tourist square, steps away from the Roman Bridge
The Parador Hostal San Marcos de Leon is situated on the Plaza San Marcos, near the center of town and within easy walking distance of a number of other historic monuments, including the magnificent Leon Cathedral. The hotel is walking distance from the local train station and about about two city blocks from a number of bus stations.
Rooms
A mix of styles, some retaining historic character, others a bit newer
The standard rooms here are eclectic in style, with hanging wall tapestries, handsome dark wood bedframes, and contemporary easy chairs in jewel tones. Larger rooms are considerably more grandiose and historically faithful with late medieval style four poster beds, glass chandeliers, and velvet settees. Bathrooms are outfitted in marble floors and walls and typically have a full tub and custom toiletries.
Features
A shrubbery maze garden and architectural marvels within the building including a museum
This hotel has extensive, peaceful gardens and a beautiful courtyard that is ideal for people watching. There are two dining rooms (the less formal is said to have more approachable service). A cloister, museum (with a collection of artifacts surveying human activity in Leon from the Paleolithic to the present), and a shrubbery maze are all found throughout the grounds.
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