Hotel Real Colegianta San Isidoro

Located in San Isidoro’s monastery – originally built in the 12th century but re-done in the Renaissance – this 3-star hotel opened in 2005 with ornate public rooms. Bedrooms are modern, if slightly monastic, and overlook the pretty cloister or the Roman walls.

The hotel is right on the Camino, so good for pilgrims or history lovers –and as an added bonus, guests are given a free tour of the basilica, with discounts on the tickets for the wonderful Royal Pantheon, now a museum.

The hotel offers free parking (in the pedestrian area, so be sure to ask how to get there when you book).