Solo Palacio

If you are going to happily spend a minimum of 300 Euros per night to stay half way up a mountain with the promise of Asian-style boutique hotel exclusivity and Michelin star dining, you are entitled not to be misled.  Where the accommodation mostly meets the standard of a boutique hotel (let’s forget about the little details like the plastic composite decking, the bog standard loungers and poor quality teas and toiletries offered to the guests), what’s on the menu suggests the sort of underlying cynicism typical of a sophisticated cash cow.  A Michelin star is all about laser-like attention to every fine detail and superlative skill that delights the palate. I have been to many Michelin starred restaurants and all of them meet the same standard, even if, rarely, the style of the food doesn’t always float your boat. But for a Michelin star, it is not acceptable to be served a confit leek starter that is tough, absolutely not cooked and utterly tasteless, accompanied by a very young Verdejo charged at a silly price that was so acidic I could have used it to clean the loo! Personally, I also don’t think it is acceptable for a Michelin star restaurant to have such a limited wine list (3 choices of white and 3 of red and no wine by the glass), where so little care has been paid to the quality of what is being offered.  After that experience, whilst we were relieved we hadn’t pre-ordered a main course, we felt some trepidation about what our pre-ordered desserts would be like. Our actual experience turned out to be significantly worse than what we imagined, however. The cheesecake, and especially the caramelised french toast, were shockingly awful. You can find much more competent versions in many of the local cafes down off the mountain, and both of them presented and tasted ready-made. Not quite out of a packet, but not that far off. We chose Solo Palacio because of the Michelin star. It has since become clear that the famous chef mentioned in the sales pitch is there in name only and that his restaurant for which he was awarded the Michelin star is actually in the local town of Polo de Lena. Given that you have to pre-order the food 24 hours in advance, it is not clear how much cooking happens on site, and as far as I am concerned, that basically means that the standard you are paying for by association is not guaranteed. That comes very close to being misrepresentation, and I for one walked out of the restaurant that evening feeling that it was all a bit of a fraud.

This hotel is extraordinary. Everything about it feels special. From the moment you arrive, you feel as though you've been welcomed into an exquisite home. The attention to detail and the thoughtful design are simply beyond description.

Beautiful property. Grounds & rooms aesthetically pleasing. Pool was nice & drinks were delicious. Not the most practical place - small kitchen with no dish cloth, pots/pans, dish soap. The property’s restaurant is closed Monday - Wednesday and there aren’t a lot of options for dining. We went to the grocery store since we couldn’t find a restaurant nearby w/availability until 9:30. You are limited with what you can prepare due to the lack of equipment. Just keep this in mind. Sofa cover dirty and needed to be washed, food residue from prior guests on table when we arrived.

The hotels is situated in a small town in the mountains. The property itself is meticulously restored with a lot of personal attention by the owner, Carlos. The bar and breakfast area is gorgeous and smells like cinnamon and hearth. Wonderful and unique drinks at the bar. Our room was a double suites and had views of the mountains. There was a big chair to sit and enjoy the view. Our beds were clean and comfortable. The pool is awe-inspiring, but we were unable to use due to the temperature and rain. Breakfast was a gourmet feast. One of the most memorable breakfasts we have had. This is a unique, elegant, and curated place to stay; and a living tribute to Asturias. Driving through the curves at night may be an issue for some.

Magical - very, very rural and part of a rural community (meet Coco). Stunning setting and views. Wonderful food and welcome (btw the breakfast scrambled eggs were the best hotel scrambled eggs we’ve had). We eased into this very special place (great massage too) and left longing to go back. We were probably lucky with the weather! Persuaded AllTrails to guide us to some wonderful walks. SP gave us fantastic recommendations for the two nights the restaurant is closed (Tuesday and Wednesday).

It’s the been the most magical and special spot we’ve stayed so far. The infinity pool must have one of the most remarkable views in the world. We really enjoyed Asturias. It’s a fascinating region: medieval villages, wild boar, and even bears (though we didn’t spot any!). The people are lovely, and there are hardly any tourists. As the locals say, “the rain saved us.” But with more people escaping the heat of the south, it may not stay this peaceful forever. Thank you Carlos for creating this and Monica, Claudia and the whole team we loved it and really hope to make it back one day.

We stayed at Solo Palacio with our five-year-old and absolutely loved it. The hotel is calm, beautiful, and has a quiet luxury that makes you feel instantly relaxed. Think soft colors, natural materials, and thoughtful design focused on region’s heritage. The service was top-notch: friendly, discreet, and always helpful (special greetings to Monica, Roberto and Lara). It’s the kind of place where everything runs smoothly without you even noticing. The food? Incredible. The Michelin-starred restaurant is worth the trip on its own. And the view is beyond breathtaking. We will surely come back.

I have been at solo palacio to celebrate my anniversary. It was a delightful magical stay. The place is great and the people amazing. The views are like nothing I have seen before, and the gastronomical offerings in the restaurant are up to par. Definitely recommended

Ideal fantastic environment for a complete (mental) fitness with several active opportunities to spend your day : hiking, mountain biking, wellness, Desfiladero Teverga, ... Luxurious accommodation that may be somewhat less functional due to the pursuit of the authenticity of this historic building, but this also provides a nice contrast to redefinition with the back to basics principle. The hospitality and personal approach of Miriam and Monica also immediately give a warm home feeling. Delicious cuisine but rather limited number of menus, however the choices are more than sufficient for a few days