Sercotel El Balcón de la Bahía

The location is very good, close to downtown, and the renovated building is attractive. But the check-in was the most inefficient process I’ve had in years. It went on for ages with complicated explanations, as if guests had never stayed in a hotel, while one staff member was left alone with several people waiting. In my Premium balcony room, cleaning had been missed in places: there was heavy dust under the bed and sunglasses from previous guests. The bathroom sink drain was completely blocked, and the room smelled of wastewater. This property and its location deserve better care, more staff, or much better procedures. Such a shame.

We booked this boutique hotel at the last minute for a trip to Santander through our credit card travel service, and the stay turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Our room was fantastic, and we loved sitting on the balcony with drinks. The location was great too. Catherine, the hotel concierge, made the visit even better with her friendly manner and helpful suggestions for places to see and eat. We’d happily recommend it to future visitors.

The location is convenient and there’s parking, and the receptionist was a polite young man who offered help. We were also given drinks on arrival. But for a hotel presenting itself as four-star, there are a lot of shortcomings. The mattresses don’t stay properly in place, there are leaks under the sinks, and the room layout puts the sink right in front of the bed while the toilet and shower are awkwardly positioned. There were no disposable slippers or toilet brush, and the briefing was far too long.

We stayed for a couple of nights in June and found the hotel beautifully decorated and very clean. Our balcony looked downhill across the city, and the cozy room felt typical for a European hotel. It’s in a residential area on a quiet street with little traffic, yet the beach and main sights are only a 3-5 minute walk away. The staff were exceptionally courteous and helpful, checking in with us several times and offering great tips for getting around. If you need parking, reserve a spot ahead of time by writing or calling reception.