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Summary of reviewsHotel Santillana enjoys a superb, central location in the heart of the picturesque village of Santillana del Mar, making it an ideal base for exploring local attractions such as the Altamira Museum and the historic old town. The hotel's vintage decor and meticulous attention to detail, along with its friendly and attentive staff, further elevate the overall experience. Guests particularly appreciate the ease of parking and the peaceful atmosphere despite its central position.
The breakfast buffet at the hotel receives a mix of reviews; while many guests praise its variety and consider it good value for money, some feel it could benefit from more diverse offerings and higher quality items. Dinner experiences at the on-site restaurant are varied with some guests enjoying the reasonably priced, high-quality food, while others find it only average or disappointing.
The rooms at Hotel Santillana are generally appreciated for their spaciousness and cleanliness with vintage decor adding a unique charm. However, some guests mention the need for modernization, improved soundproofing and better amenities. Certain rooms feature modernized bathrooms and terraces with splendid views, but those facing the road can be noisy.
Cleanliness is a standout aspect, consistently praised by visitors who note the spotless condition of both rooms and bathrooms. The staff, highlighted for their friendliness and exceptional service, contribute significantly to the hotel's welcoming atmosphere. Family-friendly features such as spacious family rooms and a cozy environment further enhance the experience for travelers with children.
The WiFi quality receives mixed feedback with some guests encountering slow and unreliable connections. The comfort of the beds also garners varied remarks; while many find them comfortable, others suggest improvements in bed size and mattress quality.
Overall, while Hotel Santillana offers a charming and comfortable stay with its vintage appeal and exceptional service, modernization in certain areas and improvement in amenities could better align it with three-star expectations. Show more
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3-Star Hotel
This hotel is very popular with guests and is well-located in Santillana del Mar. It offers comfortable accommodation and easy access to local attractions.
Family Friendly Hotel
Room Types
Double RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a bidet. The double room offers a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a wardrobe, parquet floors as well as city views.
Triple RoomOffering free toiletries, this triple room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a bidet. The triple room offers a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a wardrobe, a carpeted floor as well as city views.
Family RoomThis quadruple room features soundproofing and flat-screen TV.
Economy Double or Twin Room - AtticFeaturing sloping ceilings, this room includes a small window and soundproofing.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
Set in the heart of the picturesque village of Santillana del Mar, Hotel Santillana boasts a prime location that receives high praise from visitors. Guests frequently highlight its proximity to the historic center, making it incredibly convenient for exploring local attractions such as the Altamira Museum and the charming old town. The hotel is situated right where the pedestrian area begins, offering a superb central position that allows easy access to shops, restaurants and various points of interest.
Visitors appreciate the ease of parking right outside the hotel and commend its strategic spot for accessing the entire village on foot. Despite being centrally located, the hotel maintains a quiet atmosphere, providing a peaceful retreat after a day of sightseeing.
The hotel's charming vintage decor and meticulous attention to detail further enhance the overall experience. Together with friendly and attentive staff, the exceptional location makes Hotel Santillana an ideal base for exploring Santillana del Mar and the surrounding region.
Breakfast
Hotel Santillana's breakfast offerings have received varied feedback from its guests. Many appreciated the breakfast, describing it as good, sufficient and varied. The buffet is often mentioned positively with some noting that it is extensive, well-served and includes scrambled eggs that come highly recommended. The price point for the buffet, typically around €7, is considered phenomenal by some guests, who felt that it adds good value for money.
However, not all reviews were glowing. Some guests felt the breakfast was expensive relative to its quality and variety, citing that it featured too many pastries and lacked fresh fruit and other options. Others described the breakfast as limited, basic or even meager, expressing that the selection could be expanded to include more variety. The quality of certain items like coffee and hot chocolate from capsule machines was also criticized.
Despite these critiques, the breakfast service itself received praise with many pointing out the politeness and attentiveness of the staff. Overall, while the breakfast has been lauded by many for its completeness and variety, there is room for improvement in terms of diversity and quality of the offerings.
Dinner
Hotel Santillana's dining experience receives mixed feedback from guests, though some aspects stand out positively. The on-site restaurant impresses with its spectacular food and reasonably priced menus. However, other guests found dining there to be of average quality or even disappointing. The restaurant is open to the public with limited seating, which might not always guarantee a spot for hotel guests.
Some critical points include the restaurant's cafeteria, which is perceived as expensive and not up to the cozy and beautiful ambiance of the hotel. Issues of poor service and limited knowledge by the staff have also been noted, as well as the lack of variety, particularly for breakfast.
Food quality varies with some guests not finding it worth mentioning or considering it barely acceptable. Additionally, the closure of the restaurant has been described as irritating and ridiculous by some, adding to the overall mixed impressions.
Rooms
Hotel Santillana offers a mix of impressions when it comes to its accommodations. Guests generally appreciate the spaciousness and comfort of the rooms, highlighting that many are clean and well-maintained. The decoration, characterized by original paintings and vintage style, adds a unique charm to the experience, making the hotel feel like a museum.
However, there is a recurring mention of the rooms being old-fashioned and in need of renovation, particularly the bathrooms and furniture. Some guests have voiced concerns about noise due to poor soundproofing and outdated fixtures. Others note the lack of modern amenities such as air conditioning, minibars or even toothpaste—elements that some consider essential even for a three-star hotel.
Despite these drawbacks, certain rooms have modernized bathrooms and a few have terraces with splendid views. Rooms facing the road, however, are often described as noisy. The overall ambience is quiet and comfortable and even though the facilities are somewhat outdated, they are functional and clean.
In summary, while Hotel Santillana's rooms offer a comfortable and nostalgically decorated retreat, they would greatly benefit from modernization and improved soundproofing to enhance guest satisfaction.
Beds
Hotel Santillana receives mixed feedback regarding its bedding, though there’s a noticeable positive trend. Many guests appreciate the comfort of the beds with numerous mentions of comfortable, firm and perfectly sized mattresses. Fresh and clean bed linens also contribute to a satisfying stay.
However, some areas still need improvement. Certain reviews highlight issues with small bed sizes, particularly for double beds, which some guests find inadequate for two people. There are also remarks about the mattresses being too hard or too soft and pillows being either very soft or too thin, suggesting inconsistent quality across different rooms.
A few reviews mention the need for bed renovations and size improvements. Additionally, isolated incidents of spiders on the bed and old, tilting mattresses call attention to maintenance and cleanliness issues in specific instances.
Overall, while many guests find the beds at Hotel Santillana to be very comfortable, there's room for enhancement in bed size consistency and mattress and pillow quality.
Cleanliness
The reviews of Hotel Santillana consistently highlight its exceptional cleanliness, making it a standout choice for travelers who prioritize hygiene. Guests frequently describe the rooms as very clean, spotless and impeccably maintained. The bathrooms, too, receive high praise for being clean, fresh and well-kept, reflecting a meticulous attention to detail across the hotel.
The housekeeping staff ensures daily cleaning, maintaining a consistently high standard of cleanliness throughout guests' stays. This daily upkeep extends to all areas of the hotel, reinforcing an overall sense of impeccable hygiene and careful organization.
In addition to its cleanliness, Hotel Santillana earns commendation for its comfortable accommodations and helpful staff, contributing to a pleasant and relaxing stay. The excellent cleanliness of the premises underpins the hotel's commitment to guest satisfaction and a comfortable experience.
Staff
Hotel Santillana receives high praise for its exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. Multiple guests have positively remarked on the warm welcome they received and the great service throughout their stay. The staff's friendliness and attentiveness are repeatedly highlighted with particular accolades for their courteous and accommodating nature. Many guests have noted the extraordinary treatment they received, emphasizing that the staff consistently went above and beyond, providing excellent attention and tending to any matters immediately.
The reception staff, including a notably fabulous receptionist, has been specifically commended for their professionalism and the exceptional assistance they offer to guests. This positive experience extends to other members of the hotel team, including the doorman, who also received commendations for his helpful demeanor. Families with young children have specially mentioned the kindness and superb treatment provided by the staff, making their stay more pleasant and relaxed.
In addition to the attentive service, visitors appreciate the little details and high level of hospitality that enhance their overall experience. The well-maintained facilities and good cleanliness also add to the comfortable ambiance. Overall, the high quality of service at Hotel Santillana stands out distinctly, making it a notable choice for travelers seeking a warm and welcoming stay.
Wi-Fi
Hotel Santillana's WiFi has garnered mixed reviews from its guests. On the positive side, several reviewers appreciated the good WiFi signal and had no issues with the connection. However, a significant number of guests found the WiFi to be slow, unstable and unreliable with some describing it as very shoddy and shoddy. While some guests mentioned that the WiFi could be stronger, they acknowledged that it worked. Overall, while there are few commendable mentions, many have found room for improvement regarding the WiFi quality at Hotel Santillana.
Family
Hotel Santillana offers a uniquely warm and cozy atmosphere, perfect for families traveling with children and strollers. The family-friendly vibe is palpable with numerous guest references to family engagement, supportive staff and accommodations designed with family interaction in mind. The family rooms are spacious and the hotel even provides a crib service, a rare feature among hotels.
Strategically located near the old town, Hotel Santillana's placement makes it easy to explore the area's rich history, although the nearby busy intersection can be a concern for those with young children. Nonetheless, the family-oriented hotel environment, combined with the attentive and friendly staff, ensures that guests feel right at home. While there are some limitations for very young children, the overall family accommodations and engaging spaces for kids make it an ideal destination for family travel.
3 Star
Hotel Santillana offers an experience that may not align with typical three-star expectations. While it might be adequate for some guests' needs, the hotel has several areas that could be improved. The mattresses are regarded as very average and the breakfast falls short compared to other similarly rated hotels. The bathrooms feature bathtubs with outdated curtains, indicating the hotel's age and need for modernization. Multiple reviews indicate that Hotel Santillana does not meet the standards typically expected of a three-star establishment and many feel it is too expensive for what is provided. For those who are less concerned with modern amenities, the hotel may still be a reasonable choice, but travelers expecting more from a three-star rating may find it lacking.
No, Hotel Santillana doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Santillana.
No, Hotel Santillana doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Hotel Santillana.