Eurostars Hotel Real

Set atop the headland overlooking Santander’s Punta de San Marcos beach, the snowy-white Eurostars Hotel Real is a palatial affair with soaring ceilings and vast windows looking out over the beach and the Atlantic. Built in 1917 to house King Alfonso XIII’s entourage, the hotel’s Belle Epoque lounges are decorated with ornate wood paneling, tumbling drapery, crystal chandeliers, and deep couches upholstered in nautical blues and creams. A marble staircase leads upstairs, while outside is a glistening white marble terrace with stunning bay views and a formally laid-out garden with water features and over 80 species of roses. Unfortunately, while there's a good deal of Old-World charm, the patterned carpets, mismatched fabrics, and old-fashioned furniture can feel more dated than charming. Rooms in particular look in need of a refresh. The hotel attracts couples looking for an elegant experience, many of who arrived on ferries from Portsmouth and Plymouth that dock nearby.

The headland that the Eurostars Hotel Real sits upon is at once a draw and a drawback. Although the hotel basks in stunning ocean and bay views from three directions, it is a half-hour walk down a steep hill (and back up again) to the historic center of Santander, or a quick five-minute drive. A 10-minute walk in the other direction leads to the Playa del Sardinero beach, and the Gran Casino del Sardinero. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Santander’s port, where ferries make their way from Portsmouth and Plymouth in the U.K. It's a 20-minute transfer to Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport.

The 123 rooms at the Eurostars Hotel Real are decorated in a similar Belle Epoque style as the rest of the hotel, although their furniture can feel tired compared to the shared areas downstairs. Additionally, some lower-category rooms lack the color and embellishments of other rooms, making them look both dated and bland. Standard and Deluxe Rooms either have two single beds or a double, chairs around a small table, and a little vanity with a mirror, while Junior Suites make space for a couch and two armchairs. Suites are in the property’s round tower, and have a separate bedroom and big circular living room with a painted ceiling and a chandelier, plus stunning views from three large windows and ample comfortable seating. Most bathrooms are dated, but some have attractive white marble tiling, wood accents, and rainfall showers. The others are equipped with walk-in showers or plastic shower/tub combos, as well as hairdryers and a range of toiletries. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, bathrobes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi.

The Eurostars Hotel Real offers a sufficient list of features for couples seeking an upmarket experience, though it notably lacks an outdoor pool. A thalassotherapy pool is located inside the spa, which also has treatment rooms for massages and wellness therapies. A small, but decently equipped gym is also on-site. Past guests generally enjoy the continental buffet breakfast's choice of local meats and cheeses (not included in most rates). The fine-dining restaurant serves quality Cantabrian cuisine, offering both a la carte meals and a tasting menu, while the bar serves cocktails and tapas throughout the day and into the night. Out back is a terrace with stunning views over the bay, as well as a formal rose garden. There are five meeting rooms at the hotel, the largest of which can accommodate 300 people. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property.