Santander Accommodation?

[mullinsm]

I'm planning a trip through France this June and am starting with a ferry to Santander. The ferry arrives late afternoon so, rather than setting of that evening, I'm planning to overnight in Santander. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel/guesthouse/hostel in the town with secure bike storage and (hopefully) english spoken?

[iviehoff]

I'm planning a trip through France this June and am starting with a ferry to San Sebastian.

Really? It is a little tricky to cycle to France from the island of Gomera in the Canary Islands. There is another San Sebastian on the Spanish mainland near the French border, but so far as I am aware it does not have a port of sufficient dimension to accept an ocean-going passenger ferry.

I expect you are taking a ferry to Santander or Bilbao. So perhaps clarify where you are looking for accommodation.

[mullinsm]

I'm planning a trip through France this June and am starting with a ferry to San Sebastian.

Really? It is a little tricky to cycle to France from the island of Gomera in the Canary Islands. There is another San Sebastian on the Spanish mainland near the French border, but so far as I am aware it does not have a port of sufficient dimension to accept an ocean-going passenger ferry.

I expect you are taking a ferry to Santander or Bilbao. So perhaps clarify where you are looking for accommodation.

My bad. When you've spent all morning poring over maps of Spain and booking ferries, one San is very much like another

[RobH]

When I did this trip the other way around last year, I stayed in the Hotel Picos de Europa, which is about a 20 minute walk from the ferry terminal. It is hardly a luxury establishment - cheap 'n' cheerful would probably best describe it. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful, and my bike was locked in the reception area. The hotel is at the back of a bar/restaurant of the same name.

[megilleland]

You will find the website infohostal.com quite reliable for accommodation in Santander. You may be lucky and still get the lower tariff - the high season running from late June to September can double the room rates. Unfortunately I have only camped here.

[b1ke]

Tourist information is close to the ferry terminal and they're very helpful. I'm sure they'll have lots of recommendations.

[bobbyj]

Hi, I stayed in an Albergue when in Santander back in April 2011 after doing the Camino. Only cost me 6 Euro, There are a lot of these in Spain on the Camino routes and they're ok if you are happy with shared hostel accommodation. It's quite near to where the ferry boat harbour is though I can't really direct you...if you ask a local or go to a tourist information place, they should know . I was a solo cyclist and it was early season so they allowed me to bring my bike inside the hostel. Don't let them persuade you to have one of their set meals in the restaurant below, you'll get a better feed if you get something from a supermarket and cook it yourself in their kitchen. Have a good trip. Bob. J.

[MarkF]

No matter how many times I cycle in Spain I always think of Albergue's as Albuquerque's...............

Just a mention on them, sometimes I've been refused entry because I wasn't pilgrim and didn't have the stamped pilgrim passport.

[pedalsheep]

Don't try to stay at the Hostal Cabo Mayor. I booked a room there a couple of years ago but when I arrived the manager, who spoke perfect English, (if I'd realised that I'd have asked about bike storage when I booked but my Spanish wasn't up to it) refused to allow my bike anywhere in the building. He insisted I should leave it in the rack outside the bus station across the road where it would be perfectly safe! This I refused to do and went off and found a room in a very similar hotel where they were quite happy to put my bike in a store cupboard. As I had booked in advance my credit card was still charged for the room at the Cabo Mayor.

[hoogerbooger]

We stayed here last June and are happy to recommend it:

HOSPEDAJE MAGALLANES, MAGALLANES, 22, 39007
Tel: 942371421, info@hospedajemagallanes.com

look up on Tripadviser or the like. Our room was large and spotless. I emailed ahead and asked if they could store the bikes. We had to take them up two flights of stairs, but they had a safe place for them. I can't remember if we spoke English or rubbish Spanish, but I don't recall a problem.

[mullinsm]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try the one above.