Eurostars Hotel Real in Santander

The main issue with the hotel is the expectation set by the five star rating and the prices charged. We enjoyed our stay, the location is good, views are amazing and the building itself clearly grand. But it was not worth what we paid, and we left feeling a bit ripped off. For a couple of hundred euros a night less (we paid €468 per room per night mid-week in August), and if it were described as a three star hotel, I might have given it a 4 out of 5.

The hotel is clearly historic, but it’s also very very tired. It’s in desperate need of refurbishment. Bedroom furniture is old (but, to be clear, not antique or worth saving) and some of it in our room was falling apart (seams ripped on chairs, for example). Carpets ditto. Bedrooms are missing things like USB sockets that you would expect to see at this price point and star rating. Towels were thin and clearly years old, bed linen didn’t feel premium, the toiletries were just in plastic bottles on the wall and they were using hand wash as shower gel. The gym equipment was broken.

The other issue is the level of service. There was nothing wrong with what there was: the staff were friendly, polite and attentive. However, for the price and rating, you would, for example, expect someone to carry your bags from your car to your room, and an evening turn-down service. The former I’d expect is particularly an issue given quite few steep steps just to get the entrance, and the hotel’s slightly older clientele when we stayed so worth considering if you have mobility issues. We saw a few guests struggling when we were there.

Overall, too expensive for what it is. We wouldn’t return or recommend it.