Santemar Hotel, Santander

I was so exciting foe holiday. Even it was only mini brake it was our (my and my partner's) first ever holiday together. I was working as airhostess and very often flight to this destination. Always love those flights so I wanted to get myself to ground and explore Santander.

I book hotel using spanish hotel's web page called Spain bookings, http://hotels.spain-bookings.com and found this lovely hotel. I never belive that we could ...
...but I got it from excellent price for our 3 day brake. 3 nights where only 75 pound!!! Normal price per night is 65 £ and up. It was off season time, march 2006.

I book flight fom Ryanair web page. Flight from Stansted to Santander was only 1hrs 20min. And my return tickets cost only 35 pounds.Brittany ferrys from Plymouth goes to Santander as well but we wanted to there quickly. And month later we where sitting in yellow blue aircraft ... more

I was so exciting foe holiday. Even it was only mini brake it was our (my and my partner's) first ever holiday together. I was working as airhostess and very often flight to this destination. Always love those flights so I wanted to get myself to ground and explore Santander.

I book hotel using spanish hotel's web page called Spain bookings, http://hotels.spain-bookings.com and found this lovely hotel. I never belive that we could have money to this hotel as it look so posh but I got it from excellent price for our 3 day brake. 3 nights where only 75 pound!!! Normal price per night is 65 £ and up. It was off season time, march 2006.

I book flight fom Ryanair web page. Flight from Stansted to Santander was only 1hrs 20min. And my return tickets cost only 35 pounds.Brittany ferrys from Plymouth goes to Santander as well but we wanted to there quickly. And month later we where sitting in yellow blue aircraft ready to take off. And after short flight with few drink we landed to Santander.

Santander located in situated on the north coast of Spain near Bilbao.City of Santander is surrounded by golden beaches along a magnificent coastline. As we step out airport warm weather really surround us. Even it was late march, it was warm, over 20 C.

Out side of airport we found taxi, and with my (not so good) spanish we head to hotel. On way to hotel taxi driver try to explain buildings and sights on our way. I manage to understand that hotel was surround posh houses, and major of Santander live near hotel. Because we landed to Santander midday traffic was jam.. it took nearly 30min to get hotel. And without any "round" roads. But finnally taxi stop front of Hotel Santemar, luxurious 4 star hotel next to famous Santander CASINO! and beach, Playas del Sardinero just 50 meters from hotel. Hotel is ideal for family holiday or business trip and it's fully renovated in 1997

HOTEL SANTEMAR:
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So here we are. And when we entrain to hotel lobby I had to stop and look around. It was beautiful, everything was so shiny.

RECEPTION AREAS: Marmor and more marmor. SHINY!!! Very posh look. And that what I love! Staff spoke english, spanish, italian ja germany. Staff very frendly and ready to help.

We got our room and soon later we were in 7 floor in our room.

ROOMS:
350 well stylish rooms welcome quest to hotel Santemar. All rooms are decorated in fine wood and furnished in traditional style but very moderns. Bathrooms designed for pleasure,(with bathropes) fully fitted in marble with first-class finishes. I loved our bathroom. There was also lot of mini bottles (shampoo, showergel, aftershave..etc and tissues and ever shoe polish)

- Room facilities are:En suite bathroom,Interactive television & video channel,Direct-dial telephone,Room Safe(not all rooms, well we didnt have???) and Mini bar (not very expencive like normal mini bars), hairdryer, radio, air conditioning, internet access.

- There is also non-smoking rooms in hotel.

HOTEL FACILITIES:
- Elevator/Lift
-Business Center
- Dining Room
- Childrens Facilities
- Meeting Rooms
- Concierge Services
- Hotel Parking
- Internet Access
- Conference Facilities
- 24 hour Reception
- Bar
- Disabled Facilities
- Dry Cleaning / Laundry Service
- Hotel organice your trip like golf, tennis, surf courses etc.
There is also shoping central and disco in hotel.

Hotel is situate in rich area of Santander and walking distance from city central. Bus tickets to city central are 1 e (one way) and bus stops are near hotel. In city central is very busy shopping area and we had BIG problem to found dining place or even caffeteria in city central untill we notice that city has actually 3 parts. One is only for shopings, another to restaurants and 3. had bars and clubs. Shops are very sheap, I bought lot of clothes and handbags.

We never eat in hotel, because we wanted to have more local food. But we had small evening snack in hotel bar one night. Small snack (sandwitch with cup a tea ) was around 4 e/person.
Near hotel is also couple nice restaurants and small local store where you can buy sheap wines. (MUCH sheaper than high street!!!) Opposite road from Hotel is Chinese restaurant. 3 course meal with massive jug Sangria was only 9€. And by the beach in tapas bar we had lovely toro steaks(200g), with big class of red wine only 20 €.
Couple night we walk to The Plaza de Cañadio is the most popular place to start a night of drinking. The Plaza immediately borders seven different bars, and many other taverns are closeby.
We bought strawberrys and cream (of course!!!) in local supermarket in city central and couple 2l cans Sangria, all cost 5.48 €. I found it very cheap.

There is lot of sport opportunities in Santander, riding in Cantabrian range or hiking and wind surfing in sparkling seas just door step away from hotel Santemar. Specially in beach there is lots going on even at "winter".

Highly recommend this hotel. I falling love this hotel and city.

Tip: Bank of Santander owns Abbey bank, so if you with draw money using Bank of Santander cash points you actually get money!!!! (but only if you got Abbey card)  

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