Guest User
September 18, 2023
Gran Hotel Victoria is very clean in all areas, the rooms are cleaned and made up every day to a very high standard. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable staff throughout. Attractive, well-maintained gardens and terraces with plenty of seating areas. Nice rooms with large comfortable beds but could do with some drawer storage, our room (305) had a very stiff balcony door and leaking bathroom tap which I reported on leaving so this should be rectified. Air con works well but it turns off immediately by some kind of trigger if you open the balcony door and needs to be turned back on again when you close it. There is a massive difference between balcony sizes, they alternate from large to very small around the hotel and it is potluck which one you get, if you would prefer a large balcony you should email in advance, they are very accommodating. The rooms are quite small but having good weather and utilising the large balcony extended the size. We were lucky with the weather during our 7 day stay in the second week of September and had a lot of sunshine, although it was very humid too. This area does get plenty of rain but it only came on two evenings for us and the balconies are well protected from it. The hotel reception staff speak excellent English but not many of the bar/restaurant staff do so Google Translate is a useful app to have. The Wi-Fi is very good and reconnects automatically. Breakfast was more than adequate but rather expensive at 15 Euros per person. Evening meal was delicious on the two occasions we ate there but seemed rather rushed, good value though at 26 Euro per person for three courses plus bread, water, bottle of wine between two and coffee. Be aware that three course meals in this area seem to have a larger starter than main course. We booked direct to get the late check out time of 2pm as our taxi was collecting us at 3 but were told we had to check out at midday which was rather disappointing. Plenty to see and do in the Sardinero area and there are some beautiful, well-maintained beaches, all five that we visited had great facilities, including, showers, drinking water, no dogs and a lifeguard. The walk to Playa de Matalenas beach is well worth it for the stunning views on the way and the beautiful, secluded beach, watch out for the little pink jellyfish though! Spectacular views and interesting attractions on the walk around the Magdalena Peninsula to the Palace which then drops down to another lovely beach - Playa de los Bikinis. Bars and restaurants in the area don't serve meals between 5 and 8:30 but some will serve snacks. Santander centre is worth a visit for the harbour and café bars (a bit more reasonably priced than Sardinero), it is walkable but the bus service is frequent and efficient, 1.30 euros to wherever you go. If you want to go further afield the train service is also very reasonably priced and efficient and the main train station is just over the road from the Santander bus statio