Stylish, modern rooms include views of Sardinero Bay
Informal, inviting on-site restaurant, Cafeteria, serving local food
Some rooms with balconies and beach views
Lovely outdoor terrace for meals and drinks
Piano bar serves coffees and cocktails
24-hour room service
Free Wi-Fi
Not all rooms are air-conditioned
Charge for breakfast
Reservations required for parking
No direct beach access from the hotel
The 161-room Hotel Chiqui is a three-pearl property located on the end of Sardinero Beach -- but without direct beach access from the hotel. Though the views of the water are crystal clear, expect a four-minute walk through a parking lot and down the promenade to get to the sand. The on-site restaurant, Cafeteria, has an outdoor terrace and gets good reviews, though there's a fee for a buffet style breakfast. Slate gray paint, flat-screen TVs, and streamlined bathrooms look sleek, but not all rooms are air-conditioned. Book a room with a balcony for the best water views and cool breezes. For fast access to the ferry and downtown Santander, check rates at Hotel Bahia de Santander.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Budget, seaside hotel
The hotel's decor scheme focuses on hues of blue and white to mimic the nearby Cantabrian Sea. The exterior is painted bright blue so sea-facing white balconies pop. Cafeteria's outdoor dining room overlooks the parking lot and the water across the street. Lobby furniture includes informal royal blue couches and chairs with light wooden details. Lucite chairs surrounding a marble table are far more attractive.
Location
At the end of Sardinero Beach across the street from the Cantabrian Sea
Hotel Chiqui is built at the very end of Sardinero Beach. A small parking lot and cul-de-sac in front of a promenade separate the hotel from the sand. Though the views from the front of the property are stunning, it's about a four-minute walk to the sand from the front door. There are a few restaurants and bars nearby and a bus service takes passengers to the center in about 45 minutes. Parking reservations are required in advance.
Rooms
Simple, sleek rooms; some with balconies and sea views
Standard and superior rooms look modern and sleek with slate gray paint and white linens. Hardwood floors brighten the space. Walls don't have any art and not all rooms are air-conditioned. Book a front facing balcony room for cool breezes and views of the beach. Furniture on the balcony either includes plastic white tables and chairs or wooden sun loungers. Bathrooms are small but clean with single showers and rectangular sinks. One oddity: there isn't a shelf or counter for storing personal items in the superior bathroom.
Features
Free Wi-Fi, room service, and Cafeteria restaurant
Some of the standout features at Hotel Chiqui are free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. There's an on-site restaurant, Cafeteria, which gets good reviews on seafood and Spanish cuisine for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served buffet style, for an additional charge. Two desktop computers with Internet access are available for guests to use in the lobby. The piano bar is a nice spot for cocktails and coffees throughout the day.
