We went to the hotel restaurante on a lark...looking for something/anything edible in this out of the way corner of the world... and found a GEM by accident !!! Unbelievable/Incredible/Amazing are...
The salad, mushroom risotto (BEST EVER WOW), Amuse Bouche, bass/salmon/, Tiramisu, ALL incredible experiences... Really OUTSTANDING meal... We looked at the hotel/spa afterward and it looked just as nice...

We spend few nights in San Roman and definitely felt that we'll be coming back - relaxing atmosphere, staff was friendly and helpful, food was excellent and our child was well catered for by chef who prepared his chicken even it wasn't on the menu.

We enjoyed the enormous art collection which was on display everywhere around the hotel and in the garden. The place is also only about an hour's drive from Guggenheim museum in Bilbao - and if you're not in to art so much the local beaches were just wonderful - quiet (during the week) and well serviced.

We arrived to such a warm welcome frs (and owners)Cristina,Reuban and Patrick,who all speak brilliant English,which is very helpful in this area,where very little English is spoken.
The hotel is decorated throughout with very interesting art and antiques,our very spacious bedroom was no exception,with lovely soft furnishings as well.We had doors opening onto a balcony,with wonderful views across the garden,fields and to the mountains beyond.(All the bedrooms are either on the ground floor or on the first floor of the traditional Cantabrian main house.)The gardens are beautiful with pots,flowers and architectural garden pieces and features placed strategically around,behind is a traditional natural woodland.There is also a lovely swimming pool,which was unfortunately closed at the time of our visit,but was due to open the following month.
All the staff,were very professional and friendly,there was a lovely atmosphere throughout the hotel,which in turn made our visit very relaxing,even when it was raining outside(not surprising for early March!)We were able to relax in the very comfortable lounge (where Wifi connection is available.) On our return every afternoon there was no problem requesting tea and cake,in fact it was nearly waiting for us when we came from the car park (there is ample and free car parking).
The food !,all meals were delicious,breakfast was suitable for holidaymakers (served until late!) was a mixture of continental and cooked (they make the most wonderful scrambled egg). Dinner is served late (which is traditional in Spain),but is prepared and served with flair and imagination,we ate some delicious fish and meat dishes,our final meal at San Roman was a really difficult decision !,as we had eaten so well.The hotel also has an extremely well stocked wine cellar. Nothing was ever too much trouble for this young and very professional team.
Then to bed,the peace and tranquillity of our surroundings,plus the exceptionally comfortable beds,meant we slept well and late. (extra blankets were available,as was easily adjustable heating/air conditioning).The bathroom had the added benefit of a jaccuzzi bath,which was very welcome after a 12km walk,which was supposed to be easy (according to the tourist board),but turned out in parts to be nearer to mountaineering!,but we were extremely grateful for the packed lunch provided by the hotel (at very short notice).
The hotel is close to to some very good beaches,lovely valleys,hills and mountains,there is plenty of historical sites to visit(churches,caves,etc.) also museums,art galleries and a zoo are all close by.We found it very easy to travel from the hotel around the Cantabrian region,including the Europa de Picos,providing you have a car,we travelled with Brittany Ferries and so had our own car,but if you fly into Santander or Bilbao,we understand the hotel would collect you,the hotel has bicycles for guest to use (which we didn't try !),but they would get you to the coast,if you didn't hire a car.
I would like to finish by saying what a lovely friendly and professional hotel this is and we will definately be going back.

We decided to spend a week in the North of Spain between Bilbao and Santander Since we wanted to visit both countries and, of course, the Guggenheim museum.
Finally, we decided a Relais & Chateaux: San Roman de Escalante.
Beautiful hotel, impressing paintings, sculptures and furnitures..., fantastic setting, big and confortable rooms, very polite and attentive staff. Excellent English and suggestions.
Once we reach de hotel during the afternoon, nothing better than an aperitif in the gardens just before dinning in the restaurant. Excellent cuisine, great fine dinning. Breakfast is also a must not scheduls, no need to rush or wakw up early.
Great and private swimming pool, peaceful atmosphere. Beautiful well maintained gardens.
Definitely, we will come back.