Have stayed at this hotel several times over the years, mainly for the great location. This time I think will be the last unless improvements are made. We were travelling from Donostia to Llanes and spent a few days in Santander en route.
View from the room was fantastic but the room, as if to compensate was small and with a balcony where it was virtually impossible to find room to sit.
The breakfast is shockingly bad. Despite what another reviewer says this is NOT a real Spain breakfast. Having travelled extensively in Northern Spain I would not expect to see tinned fruit, soggy croissants, unfresh bread, green scrambled egg. There is not even tortilla on offer. At 9.30 euros a disgrace. Cannot believe how so many reviewers eat at the hotel when there are so many great eating places in Santander. The quality of the breakfast alone would put me off.
Over the years the management seem to have made no effort at all to update the hotel and it just seems to be going nowhere.
We were in the hotel late Sunday afternoon, after a great lunch at the nearby La Bodega, when the fire alarm went off. Along with several guests we made our way to reception to be told there was no problemo. There was no-one who spoke English available and with my limited Spanish I could not find out what was happening. I believe this was a serious concern

A great hotel in a wonderful location overlooking a choice of immaculately tended sandy beaches and within easy reach of the centre of Santander by bus or a leisurely stroll on a fine day.
The hotel is of a high standard, staff are welcoming and rooms are well maintained and spotlessly clean. Our only criticism was that because of the unusual shape of the hotel, rooms are irregularly shaped and storage space in our room was very limited - a small wedge shaped wardrobe which was difficult to access and offered insufficient space. There were no bedside drawers or cupboards either. On the plus side, our balcony was immense with fabulous views. (Next door's balcony was a quarter of the size).
It beggars belief that reviewers have criticized the food. The breakfast buffet caters for all tastes and offers a wide range of options - though don't expect Brit-style bacon and egg. More like tortilla and limp bacon! There are plenty of alternatives however, and no-one need go hungry. The star attraction however is the Menu del Dia, available in the evening from 8.30 (Spaniards eat late), and provided with an often interesting English translation! There’s soup or fruit juice, then a choice of several first courses followed by a choice of main courses with the freshest fish imaginable, meats or vegetarian option. Dessert also comes with choices, then there's coffee. All this plus a bottle of Rioja, for 20 euros! BARGAIN.
Would we recommend the Gran Hotel Victoria? YES,YES.YES.

We stayed 4 nights and thought the hotel, and particularly our room 405 just great. Had a lovely sea view and probably the biggest balcony we have ever had. Luck of the draw perhaps in view of other earlier reviews.
We were warmly welcomed by the reception with good English spoken.
Breakfast was good apart from tinned fruit. Had a lunch at 20 euros which was not brilliant. Found Santander inexpensive with menus of the day at 12 euros including wine at a number of places and enjoyed the food overall.
Best meal we had was at Asador Lechazo Aranda, 15 Calle Tetuan which was more expensive but worth it.

Hotel is located about 30 minutes walk from centre of city but there is a good local easily managed bus service. The reception staff had reasonable English and were helpful. The hotel was very clean and bright. We did not have breakfast but had the set dinner one evening which was quite nice and good value. Parking was expensive at 15 Euro approx. per night.
The worst part was the room. Very small and not suitabe for 2 people. It should only have had one bed and be used as a single room. The balcony was also cramped. We were there for 2 nights and by the second night we got quite frustrated with the room.
Unfortunately I could not recommend the hotel to anybody as they might get a similar room.