Stayed for two nights on a short break with Britany Ferry's. We found the hotel to be clean and the room was very nice with a great view overlooking the sea.
The breakfast was continental but they did have bacon and scrambled eggs to keep us Brits happy. Having said that the choice of food would have been enough for me without the hot dishes.
We did not eat at the Hotel in the evening so cannot comment about that. The only reason being that we enjoyed the 20 minute walk into the town centre where there was a number of restaurants to choose from.
If you do not speak Spanish you may have a problem ordering what you want, we did. My wife is a vegetarian and does not eat fish either, she ended up with tuna on her salad! This was soon taken care of after some sign language.
We would certainly stay there again.

I have never stayed in a place where I felt that the reception staff was so rude. In the 4 or 5 people we encountered at the front desk I don't think one smiled at us once. They seemed to be put off by having to assist you. Told them on arrival we were their for the convention and asked where the convention center was. He gave us a blank look though we know he spoke English as if to say, "figure it out yourself". Thankfully we did discover it was only a 10 minute walk from the hotel. Similar cold reception from every other person at the front desk we encountered. Two people were friendly and kind in the 5 days we were there. First was the housekeeper and the second was a worker that came to assist us with a problem with our safe and to get us the soap and toileteries they forgot to leave in the bathroom.
The hotel is located across from the beach and we had a nice view from our room. Street is busy and traffic noise overpowered the sound of the ocean if the window was open. A few options for dining nearby. Never did dine at the hotel as we didn't think they deserved more money that what we were paying them for the rooms. Stains on the carpet in the room were a little off-putting.

Just back from a fabulous week in the Silken Rio, we were upgraded to a sea view room with the help of Mario and his co worker in back office, many thanks Mario, it made the holiday to wake up every morning and see the amazing views. Santander itself is great, lots of cafes along the prom and very relaxing. The bus card with the ten trips is great value we got through 30 trips altogether, buses stop near the hotel to take you into Santander. Will definitely be back to the Silken Rio.

HOTEL:clean,nice ocean views,great people,good restaurant,perfect location
AREA:majestic,extremely safe(even for a woman walking alone at night),art everywhere,so clean,great quality of food&wine(prices so low for the quality).
Don't miss Palacio de Magdalena.........
If you like touristic places.....don't go to Santander!