I'm not really into staying in old castles, but this was definitely unique. The rooms were all different - mine was tiny but my friend (also traveling as a single) had a HUGE room. It was a very dramatic setting and any history buffs would be enthralled! I found the older waitress in the dining room to be very crabby - our tour group was small (only 15 people),but she didn't seem very happy to have us there. It's a nice play to stay for one night!

We stayed at the Hotel Altimira in September 2007 and found it a wonderful, very different place. It was like stepping back in time and when entering the reception area I could swear I smelt horses!! It must have been a stables at one time. The staff were wonderful, particularly when I went wandering in the night for some water and bumped into the security guard asleep on a settee, he took me to the bar and gave me a bottle of water. He was very friendly and helpful. We had a few laughs at the restaurant as when I asked for chocolate cake they gave me a hot chocolate!! However, it just makes for memories and laughter of a wonderful holiday. I can recommend it. We went to lots of places in the car, Comillas (Im not sure if thats how its spelt) is not to be missed, a very pretty place, we ate sardines at the beach front bar and looked around the wonderful architecture of the palace. Don't bother with the caves though they were very disappointing.

All in all I can recommend this very different holiday.

This old house was well converted many years ago for hotel use, and the interior is stunning.
However, it now needs some further investment in things like the bathrooms, and the standards of hotel keeping are tending to slip. For instance, we do not like waterproof under sheets which are clammy; there is no minibar; and Spanish terrestrial TV only.
If you are tolerant and want to appreciate a historic building in good use, with a very atmospheric sitting area, then this is recommended.
On the experience of our meal there, we can't recommend the restaurant where quality gave way to quantity, and service was amateurish. But we still might go back!

We stayed at the Altamira for two nights on our trip round northern Spain. We had not booked in advance and were lucky to get a very nice room with a big bathroom facing the hotel's back yard which is used as an open air restaurant.
The staff at the front desk was very nice and extremely helpful.
The hotel is situated in the middle of the lovely village of Santillana del Mar, a romantic dream of an old Spanish village, right from the fairy tale book. This makes access a bit difficult, you cannot park your car inside the city walls but have to use a parking lot outside, just a short walk away.
The hotel dates back from the 16th century and is furnished accordingly. The only inconvenience were the rather thin walls, we heard our nearest room neighbour snoring half the night.
Breakfast is served in the breakfast room (entered from the yard)and offers a wide choice of food.