Hostal Vintage Santander

There was a secure courtyard spot where we could lock our bikes, which was handy. The room was clean, close to town, and good value, so we had a good stay.

We turned up at midnight without warning, and the woman at reception was lovely, polite, and helpful. The room was basic, but had what we needed: a TV, toilet, and shower.

Modern, right in the center, and very reasonably priced.

The location was a real plus, just a few minutes from the water and the city center. The room was cleaned every day, and it was always clean. The bed linen, though, wasn't changed during our week-long stay. The beds squeaked but were comfortable enough, and we slept well. We stayed the full week, even with the problems. The room itself was in poor shape, nothing like the photos, which seem to be many years old and show it when it was in better condition. Things were old, rusty, scuffed, loose, or squeaky. The toilet seat was only half attached, there was almost no storage, and the shower water didn't drain properly. The bathroom often smelled like sewage, so we bought air freshener to deal with the smell when it came back. The TV worked well and was the right size, although a line across the screen from an LED defect has apparently been there for years. We could watch it most evenings. Getting programs from home required mobile data. Reception was very good in normal weather, but rain sometimes caused frequent interruptions that stopped us streaming. The staff were friendly and supplied everything we asked for: a waste bin, a fan, two extra pillows, and an umbrella. Still, some of those things should perhaps already have been in the room. There seemed to have been no effort to renovate, and the lobby coffee machine also appeared to have been broken for years, according to older reviews. Breakfast isn't available, but there's a nearby cafe and a hotel where you can get a traditional Spanish breakfast or a buffet. Note that the first Google Maps photo currently shows the nearby NH Hotel, where the buffet is served, rather than this hostel. We wouldn't book again except maybe for a night or two. The price is too high for the state of the room, probably because of the location. The rooms are reached by stairs with very short steps and good handrails, but they could be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.