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.

Hotel El Convento, a boutique built on the site of (and in the same style as) a former 17-century convent, is the best hotel in Leon. A flowering central courtyard, antiques lining the hallways, and a fine dining restaurant that many consider to be the city's premier option make for a charming stay. Rooms are mid-range but have plenty of character, with details such as brick walls, terracotta tile floors, and wrought-iron bed frames. The hotel added a small pool after our visit.