We've been to this hotel at least 5 or 6 times, initially when it was owned by Leo and Isabel Benz. The first time we went back after it had changed hands, we were disappointed with the evening meal arrangement. The food had been coked and brought in from somewhere else and just heated up which wasn't at all satisfactory. We didn't allow this to spoil our visit though because the location, rooms, everything was still so beautiful and the people very friendly.
We returned again this year and were not disappointed. For me, this is still the best hotel in the area and excellent value for money. There is a new chef at the hotel and the food was lovely. The new management team couldn't do enough for us and we didn't want to leave.
I've read a lot of reviews from people who won't go back now that Leo is gone (God rest his soul) but as far as I'm concerned, it's very much their loss. The bedrooms are very elegant with soft, quality bed linen. The bathrooms are beautifully tiled and have lovely thick snowy white towels and everything is spotlessly clean. Breakfast was wonderful with a huge variety of choices, much more than there used to be. We've been to quite a few hotels in Asturias and Cantabria with Brittany Ferries over the years but this is still our favourite.
Maybe we were all spoiled by Josephs perfect garden and the chef who always gave us a huge choice of dishes and a plateful to match. But go there now, for the first time and you can't fail to be impressed. Yes, you get leaves in the pool but there's a net to remove them if you want. They fall from the overhanging hazelnut trees into the pool while you're swimming so it would be hard to keep it totally free from leaves. The birds circle around and dip their beaks into the pool for a drink while in flight which is lovely to watch.
As ever, next time we go to Spain, we will have at least three or four days in this lovely hotel before venturing into the unknown and taking our chance with some other hotel in a different location. We've been to a couple of shockers but I don't think I'll ever tire of Halcon Palace.
- Arcea Hotel Arriondas
