Hotel Río Asón

“Lovely boutique hotel revitilizes Ramales de la Victoria”

I have been keeping the town where my family has been vacationing for the last 19 years, a secret. But when in 2018 a pair of local businessmen opened a gem of a hotel in the town, the first and only in the town's history, I realized it would not be fair to fellow travelers to keep my secret any lo… lisää

I have been keeping the town where my family has been vacationing for the last 19 years, a secret. But when in 2018 a pair of local businessmen opened a gem of a hotel in the town, the first and only in the town's history, I realized it would not be fair to fellow travelers to keep my secret any longer. The Hotel Rio Ason in Ramales de la Victoria in the Cantabrian region in the north of Spain, is a 14 room eco-friendly boutique hotel. The property once housed a Michelin-star restaurant and, before that, a convent. (Many of the older ladies in the town recall studying with the nuns there.) The beautiful facade reflects its origins as the early 19th century convent. Inside, however, the vibe is modern and minimalist. Great thought and care have been taken to make the rooms inviting. From the very comfortable beds (including king-size), lighting, sleek furniture and bathroom fixtures, one gets a sense of relaxation and cleanliness, not sterility. The muted grays and whites carried throughout the building provide a serene atmosphere. The staircase which has been beautifully restored, is a nod to the building's early origins and adds warmth to the modern lobby. The view from the rooms in the front of the hotel is of the Pico San Vicente and surrounding hills. But the highlight of a stay at the Hotel Rio Ason (we stayed 10 days in July) is the people who run it. The owners and manager who are often on-site, and the staff, Ana and Jose Luis, all take great satisfaction in this venture which they hope will breath new life into the town. They are "Ramaliegos", local townspeople, who are multi-lingual, know the area well and take great pride of place. They are genuinely attentive in the best non-corporate way. They do not need to be " instructed" on how to greet you! They will go out of their way to personally make sure your stay is pleasant and that you will, hopefully, return. The hotel's continental breakfast, which is included in the price of the room, was a delicious surprise. It consisted of fresh-squeezed orange juice, fresh baked bread and pastries, ham, cheese, yogurts, fruits and coffee and tea. It was excellent! Around the corner from the hotel is Meson Quintela, run by a local husband and wife team, open late into the night and serving very good home-cooked regional and local food. The bar scene at Quintela is a truly authentic Spanish bar scene and the best in town. Down the main street which runs in front of the hotel, about 1/2 a mile, is Ronquillo, which offers fine, innovative dining. Hotel Rio Ason, which takes its name from the river which meanders nearby is an unexpected treasure in this bucolic Cantabrian mountain town. The caves in Ramales de la Victoria with their prehistoric drawings have great archeological significance and now visitors have a fitting place to relax and enjoy the region.

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“Motorbike Trip circling Madrid June 2024”

Only I didn't get to stay there!! I'd booked and had confirmation, but when I got there.. it was closed with a sign on the door and phone number. I tried to ring and sort, but no connection. So I rode on and when I found a place to stay, emailed them. They handled it very well, apologised, didn't c… lisää

Only I didn't get to stay there!! I'd booked and had confirmation, but when I got there.. it was closed with a sign on the door and phone number. I tried to ring and sort, but no connection. So I rode on and when I found a place to stay, emailed them. They handled it very well, apologised, didn't charge me. So I'd give them a second chance.

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