San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago, Spain

Located approximately three blocks from the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, San Francisco Monumento is a great base to explore the town and all it has to offer. I spent three nights here, in a room on the top floor that looked like this:

Room on the top floor at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Room on the top floor at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

There’s wasn’t much of view because the windows were actually more like skylights. But no worries because I spend very little time in the room, which was comfortable in every other way. The bathroom was spacious:

Bathroom at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Bathroom at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

In fact I had to take a second photo in order to show the entire bathroom:

Bathroom at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Bathroom at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

There’s plenty of room there to spread out and keep your things organized while you’re getting ready for a day or night out on the town. The hotel also has ample parking, a great breakfast buffet, and cheerful staff that will do whatever they can to make your stay a pleasant one. Don’t forget the swimming pool:

Swimming pool at at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Swimming pool at at San Francisco Hotel Monumento, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

There’s also a hot tub just out of the frame in the photo above. That was a blessing after all day walking the streets of Santiago. I can recommend this hotel as a great base of operations. While we were there, we also noticed a number of business functions and weddings happening, so it may be that you need place for either of those purposes. Enjoy.

Published in: on July 9, 2014 at 4:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Spain

Located in Santillana del Mar, Spain, Hotel Museo Los Infantes welcomes you to that rare place that is much like a home away from home. Surely it is a hotel, but it is more than a collection of rooms.

Facade of Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Facade of Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

This is a charming establishment with true character. The many gathering areas show a personal style as you see in the next several photos:

One of the lounges at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar.

One of the lounges at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar.

This is not just a corporate-type of place, but rather like the home of an uncle who wants you to be comfortable.

Upstairs gathering area at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Upstairs gathering area at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

After a day of seeing the sights you can take a break here and share the many stories with your traveling companions or new people you’ve met along the way.

Library at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Library at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

As for the rooms, I chose a junior suite, which consisted of this ante-room:

Ante-room in junior suite at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Ante-room in junior suite at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

The desk on the left gave me a convenient place to set up my electronics and do some work without disturbing the sleep in the adjacent bedroom that you see in the next photo:

Bedroom in junior suite at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Bedroom in junior suite at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

And the bathroom had all the conveniences you need as well:

Bathroom in junior suite at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Bathroom in junior suite at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

You might have noticed the door to the balcony in the photo of the bedroom. Well, here’s a look at the balcony itself:

Balcony at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Balcony at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

You can step out there and get a deep breath of fresh air. Finally, here’s a look at the reception area:

Reception are at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Reception are at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

And the dining room where you can enjoy a local-style meal.

Dining room at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Dining room at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

And the bar on the first floor:

Bar on ground floor at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

Bar on ground floor at Hotel Museo Los Infantes, Santillana del Mar, Spain.

There is convenient parking for a small fee immediately across the street from the hotel, or you can park a few hundred yards away in a municipal lot. Breakfast is served buffet style downstairs. The staff here are friendly and helpful. Simply ask them for information or help with your bags and you’re on your way to pleasant stay in this town, which serves as a good base to explore the Altamira Caves and many other attractions in this area of Spain.

 

 

Published in: on June 30, 2014 at 11:05 am  Comments (1)  
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Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain (2014)

Hotel Villa de Ábalos has been among my favorite places to stay in Spain. It is located in the center of a small village with tiny streets and an almost medieval atmosphere.

Facade of Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Facade of Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

However, the hotel is decidedly modern within its historic shell. You’ll have all the modern conveniences in every room. Here’s a look:

Room 12 at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Room 12 at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

The bathroom features everything you need to be comfortable:

Bathroom of Room 12, Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Bathroom of Room 12, Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

You’ll also find inviting common areas where you can gather with fellow travelers to relax and share stories from the journey:

Second floor common area at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Second floor common area at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

And another similar space on the ground floor:

Salon at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Salon at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

I stayed at this hotel four years ago, and it was a pleasure to return. They added a small bar in the reception area where you can enjoy a glass of wine and various tapas. Locals from the town stop by and it was fun to chat with them, learning a bit about life in the Rioja area. The owner of this hotel makes his own wine, which is not yet available in the United States. While there, you definitely want to try it because it is among the best I’ve had in Spain. I’ll post more about that and the meals at Villa de Ábalos soon. Check back frequently so you don’t miss anything.

Published in: on June 25, 2014 at 10:24 am  Leave a Comment  
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Hotel Puerta de Pamplona

Hotel Puerta de Pamplona recently changed its name from Hotel Puerta del Camino. Located at the edge of the old town, it offers comfortable rooms, an excellent restaurant, and off-street parking.

Facade of Hotel Puerta del Pamplona, formerly Puerta del Camino.

Facade of Hotel Puerta de Pamplona, formerly Puerta del Camino.

I highly recommend the off-street parking. There are very few places in this part of town, and your vehicle will be right there if you want/need it. Moving inside, you’ll find a welcoming lobby with plenty of seating. The rooms are well-appointed.

Standard room at Hotel Puerta del Pamplona.

Standard room at Hotel Puerta de Pamplona.

Complete with safe, mini-bar, clothing rack and more:

Other view of standard room at Hotel del Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

Other view of standard room at Hotel de Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

Bathrooms have everything you need as you see in the next photo:

Bathroom in standard room at Hotel Puerta del Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

Bathroom in standard room at Hotel Puerta de Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

As well as a nice amenity kit that will come in handy and save you packing space.

Bathroom amenities in standard room at Hotel Puerta del Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

Bathroom amenities in standard room at Hotel Puerta de Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

Finally, here’s a view of an outdoor gathering space as well as the parking. Again, I highly recommend paying for parking at the hotel.

Parking at Hotel Puerta del Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

Parking at Hotel Puerta de Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain.

I had a great stay here. Sadly, only one night, but did explore the town, see the sights, and have a few conversations with the locals. Also, a great meal at the hotel restaurant, La Capilla. More on that in a future post, so check back often.

 

Published in: on June 20, 2014 at 7:36 am  Leave a Comment  
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