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Teritoria, and European Hotels Collection. Keytours International,
formerly Keytel International, your agent in the UK.
18th century buildings within grounds of the Royal Palace (4*)
Set within sumptuous 18th century buildings, the Parador de La Granja de San Ildefonso distinguishes itself through its remarkable history. King Juan Carlos of Spain officially opened the Parador in June 2007 and it occupies a palace which had been designed for King Felipe V and used as a summer residence for many successive kings throughout several centuries. With an unmistakable royal atmosphere, La Granjas’ Parador offers all of the modern amenities expected of a 4-star contemporary hotel. Its 127 bedrooms are located within the original ‘Casa de los Infantes’ – the Princes’ house - built by Carlos III. The former headquarters of the King’s bodyguards are now home to a convention and business centre supported by state-of-the-art technology. Marble interiors contribute to the bright and airy atmosphere of the Parador, and locally-made glass chandeliers give the entrance a delicate and sophisticated air. In addition, the spa and its facilities such as the heated indoor swimming pool, revitalizing shower and ice fountain will make your stay exceptionally relaxing. In summer months you can cool off with a dip in the outdoor pool.
With its large dining area and terrace, the Parador's restaurant offers exceptional dining experiences year-round. The high standard of cuisine presented at the Puerta de la Reina restaurant incorporates traditional and contemporary dishes.
Keytours tips:
The Parador de La Granja is situated in the north-western region of Castilla y Leon, known for its breath-taking landscapes. From Segovia, which is only 11 kilometres northwest of the Parador, you can explore the beautiful countryside by foot, bicycle, horse and even kayak via the beautiful Gorges of the Duraton River.
The city of Segovia is in itself an unmissable excursion, a UNESCO World Heritage City, it is home to a great variety of impressive historical monuments. Set among the numerous palaces, convents, churches and towers, the city’s crowning glory is the Roman aqueduct which dates back to the first century and has 166 arches - truly a must-see as well as the spectacular Alcázar castle which is said to have inspired Cinderella's castle at Disneyworld and Snow White's castle.
The city of La Granja also provides plenty of cultural and educational activities. If the glass chandelier in the entrance hall of the hotel has caught your eye, then look no further than the Parador's neighbour, the Royal Glass Factory, which produced this splendid fixture. On top of a sensational exhibition, the museum offers classes and courses on the arts and craft of glass creation. Located inside the Royal Palace of La Granja, the Tapestry Museum is also worth seeing; some of the tapestries exhibited date back to the 17th century and fit perfectly with the palace, a place steeped in royal history.
The impressive garden of the Palace of La Granja welcomes visitors to wander through its 170 hectares, arranged in a typically French style (said to be styled on Versailles). Full of surprises, the garden is also home to 26 water fountains which put on a magnificent show every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Among the most noteworthy are the Baroque fountains at the Baths of Diana as well as the sumptuous cascade in front of the Palace.
Close to the Parador de La Granja, the municipality of Pedraza and its medieval main square also constitutes a worthwhile visit. Having a walk in this beautiful little village, which is only a 45 minutes’ drive away from the Parador, proves to be a relaxing and diverting visit. You can admire the old town gate and the castle which hosts a museum honouring the castle's owner and painter, Ignacio Zuloaga, in one of its towers.
For seasonal Parador pool opening times please visit our information on pools page.
Breakfast is served from 7.30 to 11.00 (Mon-Fri) and 08.00 to 11.30 on weekends.
Lunch is served from 13.30 to 16.00
Dinner is served from 20.30 to 23.00. It may be possible to arrive up to 22.30 and still enjoy a meal.
Cafe/bar is open from 11.00 to midnight offering bar snacks and lighter dishes.
La Granja is located in the southern part of the province of Segovia, in the vicinity of the Guadarrama mountains and 11 km from Segovia itself. From Madrid, take the AP-6 road. After the Guadarrama tunnel, take the AP-61to exit 88 ("todas direcciones"), and the SG-20/N110 ring road, following the signs for La Granja. La Granja is 98 km from Madrid.
Although the Parador does not have its own private car park, parking is available on the surrounding streets free of charge.
The largest of Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities, Castilla y León is unsurprisingly home to some of the countries most important cities, historic cultural sites and and 15 Paradors, so you can plan a leisurely itinerary across the region.
