I booked this hotel over the phone an hour before I checked-in, based on a recommendation in the Lonely Planet, for one night. I was in a hired car and found the hotel quiet difficult to find, given Santander's one-way streets and all I had was a small map. Suggest taking good directions if travelling by car or a dependable GPS.
There is no onsite parking and a tiny bay in front of the hotel to unload luggage that you'll need to reverse into like a regular parking space. A large parking garage is down the street about 150m and cost just over 13 euros for the night.
I paid 75 euros for the hotel (off-peak) and thought it a touch expensive, though the room was large and clean. I did not have a room with a terrace/balcony like other reviewers, but did not know it to miss it.
One annoyance was the plastic card used to activate the lights (common in hotels) this activates the entire power to the room, including power sockets. This meant the air-con was not left on during my stay (I was greeted to a stuffy room on my return), my beers in the small fridge remained at room temperature, and my mobile phone uncharged. (Though it charged whilst I was asleep).
The staff did not speak much English (which is fine) though friendly. I did not stay for breakfast as I much prefer to find a local venue - the one I found is one not far from the hotel, on the main beach-strip, that looks like a nightclub with glittery-pink tiles and modern furnishings; it served a lovely coffee and delicious tortilla. My partner and I dined for under 5 euros total. Serious.
- Central Hotel Santander
