Hotel berhampiran Pico Cutiales, Liebana

The outstanding feature of this Parador is the stunning views of the Mountains of the Picos de Europa. Our room had a huge, glazed Spanish Balcony which looked out directly onto the mountain peaks just a short distance away. Beware, however, that the lift does not go beyond the first floor and reaching our room entailed a further three flights of stairs, totalling 25. The staff, who are very pleasant and helpful, were eager to help us with our luggage on arrival but less keen the next morning, when they were busy with check-outs. As at most paradors out of season, there does not appear to be much in the way of staff beyond those directly engaged in reception or the bars and cafeterias. The temperature was unusually cold for Spain (about 15C). The rooms are provided with heating (This is the mountains, after all! ) but it did not come on until 7.30p.m. When it did, it was very efficient. The food is average. There is a restaurant which has a good reputation just across the road but that was closed and the nearest town is some distance away. Private (not secure) parking.

After driving the 80minutes or so from Santander, one reaches Ojedo and Potes; both lovely towns with plenty to see and do. Afternoon check in so a pleasant day was spent exploring the local countryside and it’s (even in the rain) spectacular views. The area is very popular with motorcyclists and the hotel seems to specialise in, or certainly cater for, the clique. We checked in and found our spacious en suite room to be everything we could have wanted. The toiletry fairies could have been a little more generous but we were well enough stocked. The bar was lovely and at times lively. The enormous breakfast room doubles as a function suite and there was a different one for each of the three nights of our stay. The attached restaurant was friendly and very efficient especially as they shared the kitchen between themselves and the aforementioned functions. Food. Good, service excellent, wine ditto. Breakfast: Generally very good. Plenty of good solid grub but a couple of items of positive criticism. The chafing dish for keeping eggs and bacon piping hot is a great deal more successful if filled with hot water and perhaps having its burners lit. Otherwise it’s a scramble (sorry) every time fresh HOT eggs are added to go with the definitely cold bacon. The very picturesque (some say romantic) samovar providing hot water for making tea should be retired to the oddities and curios shelf and a more reliable, constant source of boiling water adopted. The on site pool is lovely. I only left on the arrival of a group of mothers and their little treasures. I can’t blame the hotel for this….. All this aside. We had a fabulous stay with some wonderful staff in a lovely hotel. I’d go again.