Hotel Branka

I slept wonderfully, though I didn't get to meet any of the legendary surfers from the past. That might be a reason to come back next November. Some people say they've seen Andy Irons wandering the halls on stormy nights around the first days of November, as they have for the past 14 years. There are also whispers of Kirk Passmore sightings. Apparently, neither spirit is frightening. Their one reported gripe is that the hotel bar closes early, which some living guests might agree with too. Hotel Branca has an eerie surf history that makes for a unique stay. Highly recommended! 🌊👻

The place is welcoming, clean and tidy after a full renovation, and I felt at home there. It's run by Basque locals, with a super friendly team. If you're peckish, there's a lovely terrace for coffee, pintxos, more food, or just stretching out on the sofa like a washed-up mermaid. You're only a stone's throw from everything, even if you have a wooden leg. The hotel is over 300 years old and was once used by pirates of the sea. No doubt plenty of tales were told in the bar over jugs of Estrella Galicia.

The prices were okay, and there's a small, pleasant terrace with live music some nights. The food was very average, though, and the staff seemed overwhelmed while I was there. They weren't friendly.

We had a lovely stay. There's food and a bar, with seating indoors and outside, and it gets busy with locals. The staff were friendly and ready to help. Parking felt safe and was easy, about five minutes away on foot. They provide a map to find it. There was a great choice of beers and wine.