Hotel El Mirador History

[GSDGirl]

I have been trying to find some information regarding El Mirador Hotel, in particular, what was it before it was a Parador, what year it was originally converted and some pictures of its previous life as a Parador before it went into neglect.

We have walked past there numerous times over the years when we have walked from Rosario to Caleta. It always looked like a Police Station with motor bikes and squad cars parked up but the rest of the building just seemed to be derelict. There is lots about the recent history, how it was converted in 2017 etc. but its distant past eludes me. Has anyone got more information?

[Captain Sensible]

After the Parador closed it was used by the Police for a few years before it was converted into El Miirador.

[Captain Sensible]

Some backround on this link: https://www.laprovincia.es/fuerteventura...%20ocupada.

[GSDGirl]

Thank you Captain, that article is very interesting. If I read it correctly the building was first used as a Hotel in 1968, run by the Spanish Government. It was subsequently put into the administration of the Fuerteventura Government and for some reason went into decline. Was it built by the Spanish Government originally to be a Parador or did it have a former life? What year was it actually built and why. As a Parador? is what I am now trying to ascertain. I have been looking at the history of the 97 (one in Portugal) Paradors and the majority of the building are the most interesting with fascinating pasts. The Paradors of the other Canary Islands are all old buildings with a past. Any further info anyone has to pass on I would be grateful.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

There is a brief mention of it being built in this article about another hotel:

https://mis-blogger.blogspot.com/2013/02...7.html?m=1

[GSDGirl]

Thanks Tamara. It appears it was built in 1965 also it seems it was built as a hotel and not converted from another use like most of the Paradors. Some of them are converted Castles, Monasteries and stunning buildings. I hope El Mirador survives this time with its new owners. I find the whole concept of the Paradors interesting and quite fascinating.

[windermeregolfer]

Thanks Tamara. It appears it was built in 1965 also it seems it was built as a hotel and not converted from another use like most of the Paradors. Some of them are converted Castles, Monasteries and stunning buildings. I hope El Mirador survives this time with its new owners. I find the whole concept of the Paradors interesting and quite fascinating.

Paradores are excellent, if you follow me on FB you will have seen accounts of our stays as part our travels down through Spain always staying in Paradores which are great value for Money, we have now stayed in at least 18 of them on our journeys to and from Fuerteventura over the last 5 years.

[GSDGirl]

Gosh 18. What a smashing thing to do. We were discussing doing a Parador tour of the Canaries may be for a ‘special’ birthday. We are booked into El Mirador for one night when over in December/January. It will break up a coastal walk we are doing over two days. I would really love to see your photo’s but I don’t do FB. Is there any chance you would be able to PM them to me please?

[windermeregolfer]

GSDGirl have sent you a message 

Paradores were first introduced in 1928 under the Franco regime as a way for restoring historic buildings and them then having a way to pay for the restoration.

Another reason they were developed I have been told is that it ensured that Franco always had somewhere of a good standard to stay when he was out and about in Spain.  

Another little tale I have picked up, not sure whether it is true or not, is that the room Franco stayed in always had an alternative exit route in case there was going to be an assassination attempt.

Photo from this October

Salamanca (View from Room)

       

Merida

               

                   

Mazagon