The Place
A smaller, cheaper alternative to the Trujillo Parador is the Meson La Cadena, on the main square of Trujillo. Situated in a rambling 16thC palace, it is really a restaurant (and noisy bar) with rooms, rather than a hotel, but it merits inclusion because of its central location and views over the square – a great place for watching the world go by from tables set out on the cobbled street.
The bedrooms are all on the third floor of this attractive granite house, far enough away from the noisy bar to be assured of a good night’s sleep. They are simple and charming, with dark wooden furniture and brightly coloured rugs, woven locally. Rooms at the back have sloping ceilings, and look out on to the hill leading up to the castle.
One floor below is the restaurant, on three sides of a tiny internal courtyard, decorated with wrought iron lamps and local pottery plates on white walls. It is a lively place in the evenings, offering an interesting daily menu at a very reasonable price. The food is simple and good, and the waiters are friendly. The bar on the ground floor is also a popular spot and a good place to meet the locals.