Casa Palacio Rincon de la Catedral

This is a 1,200 year old house built when Toledo was under Muslim rule, and is right next to the incomparable Toledo Cathedral. The Cathedral was originally built as a mosque during the Muslim rule of Toledo (which lasted from 711 to 1085). It is an amazing setting and I can't imagine anything better. We have spent a lot of time in Spain and this is the most magical place we have stayed. The ground floor is occupied by a courtyard of Islamic origin as seen in the half horseshoe arch. The rooms are small but comfortable, and you really feel like you are staying in a time warp, as you find yourself looking out the window to see the Cathedral of Toledo - itself considered to be the magnum opus of the Gothic style in Spain. FYI - The current Gothic cathedral building was begun in 1226 during the reign of Ferdinand III. There are lots of great places to eat and shop in a walk from here. You are at the center of the old town and everything you want to see is close by. Also, parking is available for a couple of cars for a fee, a rare amenity in the old town that we found incredibly convenient. So if there is an opening for you, take it and enjoy a magical time in Toledo. Thank you Asana! (Note: this house received the “Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo” award, given by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Historical Sciences of Toledo, for its careful restoration.)

We had a splendid stay in this exquisitely beautiful little casa, which reeks of character and history. A few specifics: Location: Couldn't be better. Roll out of bed each morning and gawk shamelessly at the gorgeous cathedral. Room: We stayed in the "Culture Crucible" and it was great. Roomy and attractive with, by and large, perfectly chosen antique decor. Bed: Roomy, comfortable, a bit soft. Shower: Small but adequate. Good water pressure and (after a bit of a wait) temperature. A large person might have some difficulty moving around, but really... how much ground do you need to cover in the shower? Breakfast: Very good. Featured the usual elements you find in Spanish hotels (cold cuts, cheese, bread, jam, pastries, fresh fruit), plus eggs. The courtyard and adjoining dining area deserve special mention for their stunning design and decor. Staff: Unfailingly polite and helpful. Note, however, not a word of English is spoken. We managed to make do with rudimentary Spanish, Google Translate and some embarrassing pantomime. So what was not perfect? Very little, but there was some inattention to detail. Twice we saw dirty silverware, and very occasionally a piece of decor seemed jarringly out of place, as if it had been chosen by someone unfamiliar with the rest of the establishment. These are minor quibbles, however. I heartily recommend staying here, without hesitation. Pro tip: the place is hard to find, and the guidance provided by the host a bit ambiguous. The casa is located in the small alley directly across from the entrance (on the side) of the cathedral.