Hospederia can write the book on attention to detail, from the presentation of the four different types of jamon iberico with a glass of chilled white in the courtyard for lunch to the little box of matches on the table in your room to light the church candles by the side of your bath. The desrciption of minimalist meets monastic pretty much sums up the effect of a neutral palette on an imaginative restoration of a convent building. And what this place can teach the Parador chain about customer service is why we unreservedly give it five stars (if only there were six to be had!).

We spent two full weeks at this wonderful hotel. We needed relaxation and we got it. The hotel has lots of nooks and crannies where you can totally relax, whether at the poolside or on one of the day beds on the first floor balcony. The food was excellent too, with very friendly service. We were very well looked after.

Although we did leave the hotel and tour around the region (which has lots of beautiful and interesting towns, monastries or Roman remains to visit) we spent at least two thirds of our time feeling deeply relaxed.

If you are looking for night life or excitment, don't go. However, if you want to relax then this is the perfect spot.

My husband and I stayed at the hip Convento La Parra for two nights in July and loved the hotel so much that we didn't venture outside the convent walls for the duration of our stay.

The hotel is carefully decorated in a minimalist style (lots of whitewash and stone) with attention to the smallest detail, from billowing muslin curtains to tastefully arranged moss covered rocks by our bath tub. We stayed in a beautiful (and huge) suite which I would highly recommend, although I didn't get a chance to look at any of the smaller rooms.

Everything is done so that guests can relax. The balconies that surround the central court yards are furnished with pairs of daybeds, and the pool area has comfy padded beds. There are also other peaceful areas around the hotel with daybeds, so we swam or read all day.

We ate all our meals at the hotel and the food was generally very good. The breakfast are wonderful with great homemade bread and jams and are served until 12--very civilized we thought!

This summer we travelled around Europe for two and a half months and this was hands down the best hotel we stayed in for the entire trip.

This hotel is marvellous. The rooms are superb and the surroundings and tranquility are to be enjoyed. The rooms are designed in a minimalist way and very clean and fresh. The staff are always helpful and Javier is a great host.

We have booked our wedding here for 2007 and looking forward to it.

Will be back there this summer