Convento de San Francisco do Val de Deus — Hotel in Santiago de Compostela

The Hotel Convento de San Francisco in Santiago de Compostela is a unique and historic accommodation option located in the heart of this famous pilgrimage city. It is housed in a former Franciscan convent, offering guests a blend of historical charm and modern comforts. Keep in mind the monks still own the building and there are about 8 monks still living within their wing of the premises.

The convent was founded in the 13th century by Saint Francis of Assisi, who, according to tradition, made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 1214.

Over the centuries, the convent played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of Santiago de Compostela. It has undergone various renovations and restorations to preserve its historical and architectural integrity.

The architecture of the Convento de San Francisco features a mix of Gothic and Baroque styles. Key elements include pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and intricate stonework which have been kept in pristine condition.

One of the standout features is the beautiful cloister, a peaceful courtyard surrounded by arcaded walkways. It provides a serene setting for relaxation and reflection.

The hotel offers a range of rooms and suites that combine historical charm with modern amenities. Rooms are designed to provide comfort while preserving the character of the original structure. There are many rooms offering a stunning view of the front plaza and they also have an indoor pool within the premises.

The on-site restaurant serves a great breakfast and also traditional Galician cuisine with a contemporary twist, inside a large room with high ceilings and what seemed to be authentic furnishings made of dark wood and decorated with red fabric details. Guests can enjoy regional specialties made from locally sourced ingredients in a historic setting.

The hotel features several event spaces, including meeting rooms and banquet halls, making it a popular venue for weddings, conferences, and other special events. They also have a small desk on the first floor with two computers as a business center desk.

Proximity to Cathedral: The hotel is conveniently located just a short walk from the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, making it an ideal choice for pilgrims and tourists alike.

Being in the heart of Santiago de Compostela, guests have easy access to the city's main attractions, including historic sites, restaurants, and shops.

Staying at the Hotel Convento de San Francisco offers a unique experience that combines historical ambiance with modern luxury. Guests can immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Santiago de Compostela while enjoying the comforts of a high-end five star hotel. The service was attentive and their staff was very kind. There was one gentleman at the front desk, who regretfully I forget his name now, but he was extremely nice when he did my check in. Explaining the area with a map and offering advice.

Highly recommend this hotel! They also offer parking for guests based on availability, so make sure you ask in advance. The blend of historical architecture, cultural significance, and contemporary amenities makes it a memorable destination for discerning travelers, and specially people like me, who appreciate and value staying at historical locations, not just a brand new...

As good a hotel stay as many high end hotels in the US - Not quite a Parador, nor quite as beautiful and historic on the inside as the Monastery in Carrión de los Condes. But still had many historic elements like paintings and various religious artifacts embedded in hallway alcoves behind glass.

Sparkling clean, large room, fridge, large beautiful windows. Was surprised to learn there was a pool and hot tub on the premises! These were located in an adjacent historic building which was also quite lovely. A pity the water activities closed at 9pm however. I only had time to visit once, the day I arrived from walking the camino. I was the only one in there which was fantastic. Has changing rooms, showers and restrooms. you ask the front desk for a separate key card to get in. They give you a fresh towel and plastic bag for your wet clothes when you get the key card.

Has a “cafeteria” which is like the bar. And a separate “restaurant” which is where desayuno is served. Its down a loooong hallway and just before the entrance you cross through a magnificent room of stone archways where the entire ceiling is an etched “skylight” of sorts. Cant see the ceiling in my photos bc I was always there before sunrise. (Would make an incredible wedding...

This review is specifically for the hotel "cafeteria"... The small restaurant open when everything else is closed. I didn't see a way to rate the restaurant separately, so I'm rating it here.

For the record, the hotel is excellent and in a great location.

We were tired after a big day, and while we usually venture out for dinner, we thought we'd eat at the hotel. It was a Sunday night, and the main restaurant was closed, so we thought we'd try the cafeteria. Big mistake. It was overpriced... That we expected...but my open-face ham (Jamon) and tomato on toast was terrible...a smudge of tomato guts on bread (they called it toast, but if it had seen a toaster, I couldn't tell) and stale potato chips. My wife's grilled ham and cheese sandwich was slightly better, but came with the same stale chips. All that, a glass of wine and a coke, and a long wait for our server to reappear so we could pay our 30 Euro bill, and we were out of there never to return.

I alerted the front desk to the substandard food and service, and they said they'd let management know, but unless there is a dramatic change, avoid the hotel cafeteria...