Castilla Termal Balneario de Solares

We had a couple of very professional, pleasant massages, and the buffet breakfast had loads to choose from, including some vegan options. The hotel is large and busy, so there was always a lively feel. We even got to see a wedding while we were there, which was fascinating. Our room booking included spa access, and getting in was no problem. The basic access lets you spend as long as you like during opening hours in the large indoor pool, which has different water massage jets. The spa is separate from the hotel, restaurant, and breakfast area, with an elevator connecting them. Since we don’t speak Spanish, it took a little while to get the spa hours explained. There’s a paid garage, plus free parking about 200 m from the hotel. It’s in Solares, a bit away from Santander, though close to the highway and near plenty of interesting places to visit. The Castilla Terma Solares has spacious, charming rooms and that old money feel. We had a really pleasant stay, though nothing especially stood out.

Breakfast was the one area that could use some work. I’d have liked more variety and alternative choices. The hotel is clean and well kept, and getting to nearby places is easy. The room had everything I needed, and the air conditioning worked properly. They also supplied slippers, free bottled water, a dental kit, and other toiletries, which made the stay more comfortable.

The breakfast was incredible for the brand, with a great selection and awesome staff. It was almost worth going just for that buffet. The rest was a letdown. The spa was far more crowded than I’ve ever seen at a Castilla termal hotel. The gym equipment was rusty, broken, and dated, probably bought 25 years ago and left to rot. Staff weren’t friendly and didn’t seem willing to help. They expect you to do everything through the site using a QR code, but the web apps don’t work. Definitely the worst Castilla Termal of them all.

FEEL RIPPED OFF! We weren’t told there’d be charges for bringing our small chewawa dog. They took an additional €150 deposit and charged €25 per night, so dog lovers should be aware. Who knows how much a German shepherd might cost? Breakfast was poor too. It looked like food from the day before, and the butter and spreads were left exposed while numerous guests coughed over them. We ended up eating our own avocado on dry toast. We were denied access to the spa on our last morning, which was very disappointing and poor service. Booking.com said limited spa access was included, but we were told only pool access was included. We rang the night before, when booking in, because we knew spa reservations are common in Espana. We were told we didn’t need to book, then denied entry the next morning. The receptionist agreed there had been misinformation.