Of the many Paradors in which my wife and I have stayed, the Parador de Alarcon is truly one of the most impressive. Dating back to the 8th century as a Moorish castle fortress guarding an important mountain pass into the Moorish heartland, its location and design is spectacular, as is its renovation as a hotel providing modern comforts without detracting in any way from its historical design. My wife, adult daughter and I found its staff friendly and welcoming and enjoyed a truly gourmet dinner of ample portions of a standard one would be hard-pressed to find in most large cities. Although we were each completely satiated after our first two courses, we decided to have dessert as it was included in our half-board. I opted for homemade cheese ice cream with honey which was one of the best desserts I have ever had. With only some fourteen rooms, the hotel restaurant doesn’t offer a breakfast buffet but prepares a delicious selection of fresh foood to order. All-in-all a memorable experience even for those used to staying in European castle and historical hotels.