NH Zamora Palacio del Duero

A convent beside Santa María de la Horta

The NH Zamora Palacio del Duero occupies, in part, a 14th-century convent on the Plaza de la Horta, in the lower part of the old town, a few minutes from the bank of the Duero. The Romanesque church of Santa María de la Horta is right against the hotel, and most of the rooms face it. The Junta de Castilla y León has it registered as a four-star hotel and records it as a historic building, in a tourist-interest area and next to the river.

It is a hotel of the NH chain, of the Minor Hotels group, so booking, rates and conditions are handled on the chain's website or by phone, on 980 50 82 62.

Rooms

It has 49 rooms, according to the Junta 5 singles and 44 doubles, with 93 beds in all. There are premium, connecting and family rooms. All have air conditioning, wooden floors and warm lighting; the chain's website shows doubles under vaulted ceilings. The premium ones add a private terrace with table and chairs, as well as bathrobe, slippers and a toiletries set.

The Junta's listing adds heating, minibar, safe, hairdryer, telephone and television in the room, a lift and 24-hour room service.

Eating and breakfast

The La Fábrica de la Luz restaurant is under a hand-painted vaulted ceiling, whose centrepiece is a still life of the four seasons by Javier Velles. The menu mixes traditional Zamora cooking with international dishes, and there is an extensive wine list. Breakfast is a buffet, with an early option for those who leave early. The bar serves drinks and tapas, and in summer a terrace opens in front of the church of Santa María de la Horta.

Parking

The hotel has paid indoor parking. It cannot be booked: it is assigned on arrival, depending on free spaces, so on busy dates, such as Easter, it is best to arrive with a plan B. The chain's website gives different prices in two sections, so confirm the rate on arrival. With the car stored, the old town is covered on foot.

Times, pets and accessibility

Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out at 12:00. Pets are not accepted, except guide dogs; if you are travelling with a dog, the Hostería Real de Zamora accepts them at no cost. The hotel is listed with wheelchair access and a lift. It has no gym. There is a library and eight rooms for meetings and celebrations, for 20 to 360 people; the largest, El Refectorio, seats 250.

Getting there and getting around

The Plaza de la Horta is in the lower part of the old town, between the Plaza Mayor and the river. The chain calculates about ten minutes' walk to the centre, and the taxi rank and bus stop are three minutes away. To the Stone Bridge it is about ten minutes on foot beside the river; the cathedral and the castle are at the other end of the old town, uphill, a good quarter of an hour away. The churches of La Milla Románica are met along the way.

By car, you arrive from Salamanca on the A-66, from Valladolid on the A-11 and the N-122, and from León on the A-66.