We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Parador de Cardona, one of the most unique hotels we've ever experienced. We purchased a five-night card for the paradors (giving you basically half off room rates at almost any combination of paradors throughout Spain—a tremendous value for these beautiful old castles, palaces and monasteries). As others have noted, the hotel is very close to Montserrat and also a fairly short drive from Barcelona. It was worth the short trip! The hotel is romantic, oozing with history and even has an ancient chapel you can visit in the middle of the castle. My husband and I traveled with my niece. Our room had a four-poster bed and was extremely comfortable with a nice marble bath and views of the salt mine nearby (not the most beautiful thing in the world, but interesting at least) and the surrounding hills, which are indeed lovely. Our niece's room was just as nice. We found the food quite good and in addition to the restaurant, there is an outdoor terrace (gorgeous!) and a little snack and beverage bar adjacent to that. We found the food, which features local cuisine, to be more than acceptable. We quite enjoyed it, as we did at the other paradors. We drove along the Pyrenees, which are a short drive to the north, as well. Highly recommended!

I visited the Parador the Cardona as a gift for my girlfriend. We were there a whole weekend.

As we arrived the super-nice staff welcomed us and we were given the ghost room. The legend says that a pricess was shut in her room as she felt in love with a muslim knight. There she died and since then, the soul of the princess wanders in the room. Obviously, there's nothing to be scared about.

The room was very clean, big enough and had a bed with canopy. The furniture is old-style but completely appropiate with the style of the hotel. The views from the top are also astonishing.

In the morning ther is a buffet breakfast with typical catalan products: cheese, sausages, "pa amb tomàquet" (bread with tomato). Quality and quantity are very good.

Considered one of the top 10 in Europe... Staying one night here is absolutely great, different, romantic, extremely relaxing. The staff is extremely friendly. A medieval castle on top of a hill overlooking the medieval town of Cardona, but with all the modern amenities and comfort without losing the real feeling of being in a medieval fortress. The restaurant is great (food and service)... 1 to 1 1/2 hour driving from Barcelona via Manresa.

If you're thinking about staying in the mostly amazing castles Spanish Parador system (and you really should-- Check the official website http://www.posadas.es/, also Pousadas in Portugal), definitely consider a stay here. It's a short drive from Barcelona, even shorter from The Black Madonna at Montserrat, and the place will leave you with an appreciation of all things medieval. It sounds lame, but check out the "Salt Mountain" nearby!