URH Hotel Zen Balagares

We booked two superior rooms, but room service was practically nonexistent. The rooms were left dirty, the beds weren't made, and the towels weren't changed. During three of our four nights, I had to complain just to get the rooms made up. Very poor service. I wouldn't recommend this hotel.

The rooms are nice, but the hotel could use some renovation. There's a gym and they offer free classes, although mine was canceled because I was the only person signed up. The spa costs an extra 30 euros on top of the 170 EUR per night we paid, so it doesn't feel like good value. You also need a swim cap for the pool. They don't rent them, unfortunately, but you can buy one there.

It's quiet, the staff were nice, the rooms are easy to get around, and the location is okay. I've seen much worse lately, including at other four-star hotels, so this just earns four stars from me. Still, the place feels a bit creepy. It's up on a hill, surrounded by a housing development where all the houses look alike. It could be a set from some odd horror film. The lobby and bar are lovely, but the rooms feel a little strange and unfinished. The double bed is just two beds pushed together, leaving the usual gap down the middle, so don't expect a cuddly holiday bed. The fridge is tucked away in a dresser that looks like it has drawers. The windows sit high and there's no balcony, though the view of Asturias' landscape is quite nice. The bathroom was a pleasant surprise, with a good layout, a nice tub, and a nice shower. Just watch out when you step out, since the shower door lets a lot of water onto the floor and you could slip in the puddle. Breakfast was okay. The ham selection looked especially good, but otherwise it was the standard hotel buffet. The spa felt odd, as if it hadn't been built or run by people who know much about spas. There's no water hose in the steam room, which is a serious hygiene concern because germs can breed there. Two tile-lined saunas at 50°C will eat up your spa time quickly. The other, wooden sauna wasn't working when we visited, and its benches had lots of sweat stains, which also felt like a hygiene issue. The other facilities seemed uninspired too. Pressing the buttons in the big, cold massage pool made dense foam rise up, which didn't feel very sanitary. Lots of areas need maintenance. The spa was a nice extra, but I wouldn't come here for a wellness holiday.

I stayed here with my daughter for a few days and we had a good time. The hotel was nice enough, the rooms were pleasant, and the bath was particularly nice. I'd recommend it, though I'd also compare it with other options. The setting is strange, at the end of a housing estate, with some of the area apparently still being redeveloped. There's very little nearby, so don't choose it if you want to walk into a town or somewhere with things to see. Breakfast was decent, with plenty of pastries, but little else stood out unless you're a big fan of eggs. The gym was good. I even took my nine-year-old along while I went for a run. We thought the hotel had a pool we could use when we booked, but learned it cost 25 EUR, or 15 UER for children, to use what was really just a pool spa. That disappointed us, though I suppose we should have checked more carefully.