First off, in this day and age I am pleased to see that there are still 3-star hotels that will make you feel like you are staying in what you'd expect from a more expensive place.
Right from the off, as you walk in you will be impressed with the huge, elegant and vintage-looking lobby - which is complete with leather settees, statues and cabinets filled with antiques.
The hotel will strike you for its general smartness and old-world charm. Staff are also incredibly polite, attentive and sympathetic towards requests of various kinds. They will also speak Spanish in a nice, slow and clear way which shows perceptiveness towards foreign visitors - something not to be taken for granted.
Several rooms come with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and, in that respect, Alcomar is probably the best-placed hotel in Gijon. Not only is it right by the beach and the beautiful promenade, but it is also strategically located in the middle of the 19th century quarter, very close to all shops, monuments, squares and amenities.
Back to the rooms, albeit a bit spartan, they all look clean, comfortable and elegant and decorated with wood panels and tasteful vintage-style furnishings. All rooms come with what you'd expect (and more) from a 3-star hotel, including soaps, toothbrushes and the rest. Most impressive was the free minibar which offers soft drinks.
Possible fly in the ointment is the fact that weekend nights may be very loud. Spanish people love their late-night (and I mean, late, well into dawn) partying and drinking. It is common for groups of teenagers to hang around the square just opposite the hotel, so you'd better only hit the sack if you're extremely tired or you may have trouble nodding off.
On another note, I don't know if it's a standard offer, but when we stayed, the hotel price also included breakfast in the downstairs bar, though - as in common with most 3-star hotels in Spain - this was no buffet or eat-as-much-as-you-like smorgasboard - just a hot drink and a small but honest selection of pastries which you have to order.
Overall, a very pleasant stay in an unassuming but charming city in the often overlooked North of Spain.
