Hotel Mesón del Cid

Hotel Mesón del Cid stands on Plaza de Santa María, the small square in front of Burgos Cathedral's western facade — one of the great Gothic frontages in Europe. The hotel takes its name from Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the 11th-century Castilian knight known as El Cid, whose remains are interred in the Cathedral directly across the square. The property occupies a 15th-century building that has served hospitality functions for centuries; its ground floor houses the hotel's well-regarded restaurant, which draws diners from across the city.

Cathedral-view doubles face the square directly and are the hotel's signature rooms: windows frame the Cathedral's twin 84-metre spires from dawn to dusk, and the evening illumination turns the carved stone amber. Standard doubles face the interior and offer quieter sleeping conditions. Both categories include air conditioning, flat-screen television, and modern en-suite bathrooms. Rooms are not large, but the quality of the position on Plaza de Santa María compensates significantly for the modest proportions. The ground-floor restaurant specializes in regional Castilian cooking: cordero asado (roasted lamb), morcilla de Burgos (blood sausage, a local protected product), and a charcuterie selection from local producers feature prominently on the menu; the restaurant is well regarded in Burgos and attracts local diners as well as hotel guests. The bar serves regional wines from Ribera del Duero and Rioja, and operates through the day and evening. There is no spa, pool, or gym. Free WiFi covers the property. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Burgos' central shopping streets. Its position is optimal for visitors whose primary purpose is the Cathedral, the Museo de Burgos, and the old city.