Magnificent. The historic part of this building is superb, says a visitor this year. Leon's remarkable parador, a former medieval monastery with an ornate Renaissance facade, rivals in its beauty the city's glorious Gothic cathedral. Staying here is an experience, an earlier visitor wrote. Palatial public villa rooms have antiques and period furniture; tapestries soften cool stone walls; there is a cloister around a green courtyard and a chapter house. One traveller advised: Try to stay in the old building: two couples sharing one of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites - which have a `magnificent lounge - will pay little more than for two double villa rooms in the modern extension which houses most of the villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms). These are large and well equipped but lack storage space and air-conditioning. Some look over the river or garden, and are peaceful; some suites have views over the main square. A good dinner, well served, was enjoyed in the large, brightly lit, modern dining room: frogs' legs and cocido maragato (a stew) are on the menu. `Courteous staff. The usual good buffet Bali villa breakfast.' Tour groups and. coaches are much in evidence.

Offering excellent value in the Barcelona area, the Puig family's delightful little villa/restaurant is on the beach in a small Costa Brava resort. While having drinks on the terrace, you can watch small boats in the harbour, and ships passing in the Med. Service, food and the bar are all liked. One couple had a lovely first-floor room with balcony, almost in touching distance of the beach. villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) vary in size: medium to quite small. Best ones overlook the sea; some, at the side, get traffic noise. There is always fresh fish on the table d'hote dinner menu, which changes daily. Excellent Catalan food, pleasantly served, house wine very good. In high season, full board is obligatory, but lunch can be a picnic. Senor Puig collects and exhibits paintings: He and his daughter speak English.