In the birthplace of Cervantes, where every nook and cranny oozes art and culture, stands the Parador de Alcalá, a 17th-century monastery school and student lodgings located in the former San Jerónimo College. However, do not let so much history overwhelm you, because the hotel offers the perfect combination oftradition and avant-garde. The interior décor is of a modern design: tasteful, minimalist and extremely elegant. The services are without par: in addition to the standard offerings at Paradores, there is a spa, business center, convention centers and twelve conference rooms. 26 kilometers from Madrid, 20 kilometers from Barajas International Airport and the trade fair facilities at IFEMA, and just 2 kilometers from the train station, the Parador's location in this World Heritage City is one of its main advantages.

The Parador de Alcalá is a good option for conference tourism and events, as well as visiting the city. Far from being just a commuter town and a place to escape after a hectic day in Madrid, along the cobbled streets of the old quarter of Alcalá de Henares, you will discover the charming traces left by the passage of history on this university city. A literary capital par excellence, this is the birthplace of Cervantes and was once home to Francisco Quevedo, Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Tirso de Molina and St. John of the Cross, among other geniuses of the Spanish Renaissance.

Alcalá offers a number of very interesting tourist attractions: Calle Mayor, the cathedral, the university and the Archbishop's Palace are all worth a visit. Other highlights include the Paraninfo Theater, where the prestigious Cervantes Prize for Literature is presented, and the many historic buildings which host visiting storks, now part of the landscape of Alcalá. Once you visit the Parador de Alcalá, you are sure to return, just as the storks come back to the city’s towers each year.