Hi...

I am totally with you regarding staying two nights in one place before heading to San Se. I have been working on a few hotel options in Ribadesella thinking that would be a good base to see the area. It is hard to guage what makes the most sense just looking at the map...not knowing the area at all.

I found the La Calma for a reasonable price...not on the beach. The Don Pepe, Hotel Ribadesella, Palicio De Libardon, Villa Rosaria (can't offer great rooms but on the beach), El Carmen. Any thoughts on these?

I have checked out these hotels you recommended Maribel. If it was your choice would you take one of these or one of the above in Ribadesella? Do you have a favorite place. I am so torn.

Posada Torre del Milano
Posada los Cautivos
Casona Palación de Toñanes

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your input.

Thank you all again,
Chan

hi maribel,

I remember Comillas. we stayed there over 20 years ago.

I'm sure that it has all the lovely things you describe. however, what I remember is trying pickled sea-urchin in a bar where we drank sherry from barrels.

the sensation, not altogether pleasant, left a lasting memory.

regards, ann

The Villa Rosario is just fantastic! They DO offer very nice rooms-much nicer in fact than the Hotel Ribadesella, Don Pepe, La Calma and El Carmen. It has a super location right on a lovely, family beach.

I now think you really need to get further on east than Colunga for your base, so I wouldn't consider the Palacio de Libardón.

JulieVikmanis did a report about it-stayed there on her Northern Spain trip. I'll try to find it again and link it to you.

Of the 3 in Cantabria, the Casona Palación de Toñanes would be my choice, simply because of its location, not far off the road to Santillana and its very pretty pool and garden area.

The Posada los Cautivos has a smaller pool in a smaller garden, but the interiors are "cute/cluttered" for families with small children rather than teens (my very subjective opinion).

I think I have fallen in love with the Posada los Cautivos. Maybe it's just the website but it looks like a very cool place.

Here's Julie's report

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...hern-spain.cfm

looking at the Cason Palacion de Tonanes now.

The Posada Los Cautivos did a great job with thier website.

Chan,
It is a cute place with lots of toys scattered about for kids to play with in the living room.

www.viamichelin.com says...

From A Coruña to Ribadesella you have a 4 hour

From A Coruña to Santillana del Mar it's 5 hrs.

Chan,
I'm off to an evening workshop on Cataluña travel/tourism so won't be back to this thread until later.

Have fun deciding.

Thank you again for your wonderful advise. I have emailed both the Posada los Cautivos and the Casona Palación de Toñanes. I will take your recommendation for the second...Maribel...if they can accommodate us.

If anyone has any additiona info that will help make this trip even more special please let me know.

I am off to continue reading about Julie's 17 days in Spain. I'm about 1/2 way through and loving it.

Maribel
I am glad to read that I was not the only one to go round in circles in Comillas.
Yes my visit was in Feb so well and truly off season. I hate tourist shops, and they put me off Santiago too. Here they are open all year.

Hi Maribel...

I emailed both the Cason Palacion de Tonanes and The Posada Los Cautivos yesterday and was surprized to not here back by either this morning as they are 9 hours ahead of me. How long should I wait to email them again...I don't want to be a pest. Every other hotel I've emailed during this process got back to me very quickly.

Thoughts?

Hi ChanB,
You should wait at least a day. If you don't get a response in 48 hrs. just email again.

ribeirasacra,
I think that S del M goes into a slight hibernation in Jan./Feb. I noticed that some of the inns of Club de Calidad Cantabria close during those months.

If you ever need a very reasonable inn (with lovely innkeeper, María Gómez) in the area while driving the coast, right off the A-8 (hard to get lost!) in teeny Treceño, I can recommend the Casona de la Salceda.

Antique filled, not fancy (no flat screen TV, no a/c) but it made a very inexpensive base for us in Nov. for only 55 euros per night (our discount for a week's stay) with continental breakfast included. Cozy downstairs with fireplace. Regular low season rate is 60.

Hi ann,
I'm thinking that bar in Comillas might have been Filipinas. Don't think I've ever paired pickled sea urchin with sherry!

We really enjoyed Villa Rosario, right on the beach with lovely rooms. It's easy walking into town.

Thank you for the tip Maribel. We often have to go back to the Netherlands and if we do we usually leave around 2ish so an overnight stop somewhere in the area is the plan. We have done the Leon Burgos route many times and now fancy a change. Found the website for the hotel and the listing in Toprural. The reviews on there are good but are also confusing...sometimes quiet whilst it is located on a main road and one said there is no dining room; but others talk about the cooking.

We will give it a go next time we head that way.


I cannot remember where we stayed in S del M. but it was ok, just it was over run by school children, and us.

Hi ribeira,
We found the Casona de la Salceda very quiet because it's set off the road. We weren't bothered by noise at all. María doesn't do set meals other than breakfast (which is croissants, madalenas, fruit, tomato bread, juices, hams and cheeses), but she will prepare a dinner of tapas, I think.
We just walk down the road to Prada a Tope
www.pradaatope-treceno.com/
or go into Cabezón de la Sal, a short drive away

For a lunch stop just a quick exit off the A-8 you simply can not beat the hearty cooking or the gentle prices of the Cantabrian classic, Casa Cofiño, in Caviedes. The wine maker and restaurant critic of El Mundo gave us a tip for this one.

Marija...thank you for the feedback on Villa Rosario. Once I hear back from Cason Palacion de Tonanes I will choose the two. Everyone seems to love Villa Rosario.

Maribel...I just realized you have "Maribels Guides". Fabulous! I've printed San Sebastian and Bilbao...reading and highlighting like mad. I have been joking with my family and friends for months that I will be eating my way through Spain...but I think I very likely WILL EAT my way through Spain!

Thanks everyone!

Hello...

I still haven't heard back from Cason Palacion de Tonanes and The Posada Los Cautivos. I've sent two emails to each and its been two days since I sent the first request. Should I assume they do not have room and move on to another hotel opion...or that they aren't recieving my messages and I should call.

Thanks!!

I would call first before moving on. Some Spanish innkeepers just don't respond to their emails as quickly as might be expected.

My daughter is going to call tomorrow from La Coruna...she speaks Spanish so she will communicate much better than I will.

Perfect!