Top Exe Hotels in El Escorial from AED 238 - Expedia

El Escorial was built by King Philip II in the late 16th century to serve as both a royal palace and as the seat of the Catholic Church in Spain. In addition to the palace the complex includes a basilica, a convent, a school, a library, and a pantheon.

While El Escorial is impressive from the outside, we actually found it a little austere on the inside. In many ways it felt more like a fine art museum than a typically elaborate European palace (such as Versailles). That said, there are some impressive sights, including works by El Greco, Bernini, and Giardini. The library was also quite beautiful, with richly carved wood shelves, a marble floor, and a colorful fresco ceiling by Pellegrino Tibaldi.

For me, the highlight of the tour was the 180ft long (55m) Hall of Battles – a barrel-vaulted room where the walls were completely covered in frescos depicting Spain's military victories over the Moors and the French. All aspects of the battle field were portrayed (when you have 180ft, that is quite doable), and the artist employed an interesting trick whereby the more distant, smaller scenes were less saturated, and the background mountains and landscape were set in hues of blue.

Overall I'd say El Escorial is worth a visit, but you probably won't need more than a couple of hours to enjoy it.

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Our top choices for El Escorial Exe Hotels

Lobby lounge

Exe Tres Cantos

Tres Cantos

United Kingdom

Dave

AED 257 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Mar - 2 Mar

Lobby

Exe Gran Hotel Almenar

Las Rozas de Madrid

United States

Zoraida

AED 238 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Feb - 2 Feb

Down comforters, minibar, in-room safe, desk

Exe Victoria Palace

San Lorenzo de El Escorial

United States

Laura Z.

AED 392 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Mar - 2 Mar

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Top El Escorial Hotel Reviews

Hotel Galaico

Hotel Galaico

10/10 Excellent

"This is our second stay at Galaico in 3 months and the second time was as good as the first. Lovely welcoming staff who are happy to help with anything, comfortable and warm rooms (probably a little too warm for me but we opened the window and turned off the heating and it was fine!) We haven’t eaten in the hotel so can’t comment on the food. The housekeeping staff are very welcoming and polite. I will definite stay here again - and will likely be returning at Easter. "

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