The Hondarribia Parador is housed in a magnificient old castle in the heart of the old city, within walking distance to many good restaurants and tapas bars. Service is excellent, and fully up to the Paradores standards, but the rooms are a bit noisy and perhaps rather oldish. A great place, although somewhat pricey.

This was an amazing place to stay and definitely a highlight from a recent trip to the Basque area. From the moment we arrived the staff were fantastic. Our room was on the small side but had a spectacular view of the river and we could see France which was on the other side of the river. We were at amazing time as the villagers were celebrating a festival and the little square outside the hotel was filled with people dressed in red and blue playing music and some on horseback and marching through the village. The Parador is a converted castle and so much attention was given to restoring all the detail and throughout the hotel are lovely sitting areas both inside and out. The breakfast was delicious and we sat in an atrium space overlooking one of the walls of the castle. Beautiful property and village and would definitely go back and the village has great pintos restaurants and gorgeous beach. I liked it much more than San Sebastian

This Parador sits atop a hill overlooking the bay and across to France. Locating the Parador proved a real challenge for the Satnav system (according to the Satnav the address doesn't exist) - thank heavens the Parador is big enough for visual sitings. If you arrive at the Parador by car - be aware that the approach to the parking (expensive at Euros 18) is via a very narrow approach with a hard turn into the parking area.

The Parador has been sensitively restored - and in places not restored at all. This gives you a sense for what is was like and creates an excellent ambience. The central courtyard, where breakfast is offered looks out (and up) on this unrestored section of the old castle.

The rooms (average size and fittings) have been fitted into the castle envelope over numerous levels - there are lots of little steps as you change levels. We opted for a room with a view - one across the river and into France. Being a castle fitting airconditioning is problematic, therefore you rely upon the thickness of the walls to keep the ambient temperature at comfortable levels. We found that the warmth of the day had kept the stone walls of the room very warm (making the room very stuffy). We are Australians so we are well able to tolerate the heat of a European summer but our room in the Parador stayed warm for an extended period. Opening the modest window (and the door) to create cross ventilation generated further issues. The Parador has a wonderful outdoor terrace (to capture the very same view as our room). The acoutics are such that every word of every conversation on the terrace was heard very clearly in our room. The debate - close the window to avoid the noise and remain hot or open the window for the breeze and be kept awake until the early hours of the morning with fellow travellers conversations. Bearing in mind that the Spanish are not early to bed people. Our sleep quality suffered accordingly.

The hotel does not have a restaurant (that serves dinner) therefore you will need to seek out a restaurant - there are many within walking distance of the Parador. We had been recommended by friends to eat at the Restaurante Arraunlari - on the seafront about 15 minutes from the Parador - it proved to be an excellent choice.

The hotel staff were friendly and helpful - they cheerfully booked the restaurant for us and gave an approving nod at the selection.

I would have liked to give a better than "average" rating, but the "comfort issues" took the edge off the stay and resulted in a less than ideal experience.

Step back in time; this is the real thing when it comes to staying in a castle.
Not the most pretty and typical on the outside but the inside is stunning.
With very good attention to detail particularly with the original un-restored parts that show what it looked like before some of the restoration was carried out.
If you like the old UK National Trust properties then this is for you.
The service is beyond 5 stars, the staff cannot do enough for you as with all the Parador hotels I have had the pleasure to stay (around 5 per year).
There is no restaurant but there are many good places within close distance, just ask the staff they know where to go!! However if you like breakfast then I challenge the greediest to demolish this one, I didn’t eat for two days after! It was the variety and quality not the quantity that did it for me. Self service with fresh fruit, every pastry and bread you can imagine to finest Iberico Serrano Jamon Lomo Chorizo and Salchichon meats, and sausage bacon and eggs if you like.
We booked at the last minute and there was only one room left on the inner courtyard but would definitely stay in this one again. There are better rooms around the outside but you need to book well in advance. The car park is at the rear and down some steps. It is restricted in space and there is a charge for this, however you can park on the lower street that is free of charge and there is a lift from the street to the back of the hotel. Please be reasonable, this is a building that dates back about eight hundred years before cars and disabled access were thought of and is for people that appreciate these ancient buildings and old towns, if you do not like walking up small hills and want to park your car outside then go somewhere else.