Picturesque Asturias, tucked away on the northwest coast of Spain, remains a well-kept secret. There’s not a single high-rise in sight, just beautiful beaches, authentic fare, mountainous hikes and colourful fishing villages. One such village is San Esteban, found right in the centre of the province; once a working coal port and now a peaceful haven for surfers, cyclists and Spanish holiday makers. Here, perched on the banks of the Nalon river, is Gran Hotel Brillante.
This historic pension, beautifully restored as a boutique hotel, is something of a rare gem: it offers rooms and residences which are not only elegant but refreshingly good value. The traditional charm of this early 20th-century building shines through. Arrive to original black and white marble floors and grand high ceilings. There's a restaurant space on the ground floor for breakfast and dinners, and bistro tables out front where we sat with morning coffee and gazed at the river. The 22 newly refurbished rooms and apartments occupy the floors above, and come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and are all clean white walls and polished wood floors, mixed with sleek marble sinks, brass hardware and supremely comfortable beds – this was a good quality renovation. Be sure to bag one overlooking the estuary if you can; those at the front of the building have spectacular river views. The close proximity to the airport makes this an excellent destination for those looking for a minibreak, as you're perfectly positioned to explore all of the region's delights – as we did. And San Esteban, the region's smallest town, stays relaxed and tranquil year-round. What a find!
Highs
- Superb river views from many of the rooms and apartments
- A great option for families seeking all the perks of a stylish, luxury hotel with the convenience of an apartment – and at a good price point to boot
- A super location in history-rich Asturias with surfing, hiking trails and gorgeous beaches within relatively easy reach; the airport is just 15 minutes' away
- The tasty food served in the restaurant is locally sourced and good value, and there's an impressive wine list
- The lovely staff who make staying here a treat
Lows
- No guest lounge or salon; there are some sofas in the reception area
- River-facing rooms also overlook a road and car parking
- The restaurant is not open for lunch but you'll likely be out and about during the day anyway
- Some may feel rooms are a little lacking in character
- No pool but there's a popular saltwater one at the mouth of the estuary (open June-September)
Best time to go
Asturias doesn’t get as stiflingly hot as the rest of Spain during the summer months – expect temperatures in the mid-high twenties – so it’s a pleasant time to visit. Bear in mind that prices are at their highest then too. Snow can fall between December and March. April to June is best for kayaking and taking on the more extreme hiking trails. Note the hotel is closed 8-31 Jan.
Our top tips
No visit to Asturias is complete without sampling the local tipple. Cider, or “sidre”, is big business here. Visit a local cider house (sidrerías) where you can also try some traditional local cuisine, such as bean stew or queso Cabrales (blue cheese).
- Boutique Hotel
- 22 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 8-31 January every year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Electric car charger
Rooms
Gran Hotel Brillante has a mix of 22 immaculate rooms and apartments, each very well appointed and comfortable, and each fantastic value for money. The higher the floor you're on, the better the view.
The top two floors are made up of Studios and Residences – 1- and 2-bed apartments – with pleasingly luxurious, marble-clad kitchens and bathrooms. They’re a great option for those seeking a hotel experience with apartment benefits, and all (bar the smallest Studio) have a sofa bed for additional guests. Three of the Residences and one of the Studios have glorious Nalon Estuary views; the rest look out to the street. A few of these have a little balcony, if this is required mention when booking. We stayed in Xilo Residence on the third floor, which has a Juliet balcony, a sofa bed for the kids and a peachy marble bathroom. It was a joy in the mornings to open the curtains to watch the sun rising over the hills and river.
The floors below have tranquil rooms in varying sizes. The decor echoes those of the residences: clean white walls, art deco lights and polished wood floors, with muted colours such as sage or periwinkle blue in headboards and throws. All but the Executive and Prime rooms overlook the Nalon Estuary; the Ruben Dario Grand Suite has windows all along one wall to maximise those watery views.
Bathrooms come with power showers, piles of towels, own-brand toiletries and chequerboard black and white floor tiles. Prime Rooms, the Aguilar and Atalaya Studios, and the Glayos Residence also have bathtubs. The Suite has twin sinks for a luxurious touch. The two-bedroom Residences have two ensuite bathrooms.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Meals are served in the high-ceilinged ground-floor restaurant. Breakfast is served buffet-style with a good array of both savoury (cold cuts, cheeses, boiled eggs, delicious local olives, toasts and breads) and sweet options (home-made cakes, brownies, crepes). Healthy options include yoghurt and fresh fruit. There is a short hot dishes menu too; we went for the cheese and tomato omelette, and eggs and jamon on smashed avocado toast.
Dinner is lovely – you get good portions at a reasonable price point. The menu has a focus on fresh and local produce including much bounty from the Bay of Biscay (think smoked anchovies, pickled mussels, bacalao in pil-pil sauce) as well as a few international dishes. We loved the baked provolone with garlic bread, artichokes with Iberian ham, and Galician sautéed octopus with prawns. There's also a Chef's Specials menu. For dessert we enjoyed the local version of creme caramel, brownie and ice cream, and baked cheesecake. We were impressed with the extensive wine list which has an excellent representation by winemakers.
All Studios and Residences come kitted out with a beautifully designed marble kitchen, complete with dishwasher, washing machine and stove.
For a change of scene, there are several decent restaurants within walking distance. Try La Balanza (2 min walk) or head towards the beach for seafood specialists Puerto Chico where we had a most enjoyable meal.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Discover the colourful fishing village of Cudillero (12 mins). Marvel at its 13th-century chapel before lunching on fresh seafood at a buzzy harbour-side eatery
- Beach lovers have access to many dreamy stretches of sand. Playa de Aguilar is closest (10 mins) and one of the best in Asturias
- Take a day trip to Aviles for the Oscar Niemeyer cultural centre and local hub Gijon for its old town, beach and marina
- Hike one of the many trails on offer. The "Senda de los Miradores" trails begin in San Esteban and goes to Playa de El Aguilar. Follow the coastline to breathtaking views of the Deva Island and Cabo Vídio lighthouse. Head inland for the spectacular Picos de Europa mountains
- San Esteban is one of the way stations on the Camino del Norte pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela; the town also has a small but attractive beach with an ocean pool just a 15 minute walk away, or there's the popular saltwater pool, the only one in Asturias (June-September)
- Learn to surf. There are numerous surf schools in the area. Catch some waves at Breaking North Surf School at nearby Los Quebrantos beach in San Juan de La Arena (10 mins). All ages can apply
- Keen cyclists can navigate the area on two wheels. There are many cycle paths across Asturias that run along the coast, through parks and along disused railway lines. Hotel staff are happy to advise
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Shopping / markets
- SUP
- Surfing
Kids
Children of all ages are very welcome at Gran Hotel Brillante, and there's much for adventurous families to do in the area from surfing to cycling, and some gorgeous beaches are close at hand. It’s worth noting, however, that there aren’t any facilities specifically designed for kids at the hotel but ours seemed happy enough simply watching the life on the river, wandering along to the beach, eating seafood and cakes, and exploring the region.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Families have a choice of Studios and Residences (1 and 2 bed apartments) on the top two floors, each one with a kitchen. Note that not all apartments have baths so if a tub is essential, be sure to mention it at checkout.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Baby equipment:
- High chair
- Baby cots and baby bedding
- Night light
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
If kids don't want to eat from the menu which has kid-friendly dishes (including the desserts), they can rustle up pasta, sandwiches or omelettes on request.
Kids Activities nearby:
- Playa de Aguilar
- Saltwater pool in San Esteban (open June-September)
- Playground
- Garruncho beach in San Esteban
- Hiking and biking locally
- Kayaking on the Nalon
Families Should Know:
The road outside the hotel isn't busy at all, but nonetheless the hotel is on a road. The riverfront is about 20m from the hotel.
Distances:
- Airport: 15 minutes
- Hospital: 15 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Gran Hotel Brillante is in the small quiet town of San Esteban de Pravia, in the centre of the Asturias autonomous province of northern Spain.
By Air:
Asturias Airport is closest. Vueling, BA & Ryanair all fly direct from the UK; Iberia, Lufthansa and Volotea also fly direct from various European destinations.
From the Airport:
Take a taxi from the airport – it's about a 15-minute ride. If possible, we’d recommend hiring a car to explore the area. Check out our car rental recommendations.
By Public Transport:
There's both a railway station and a bus station in San Esteban; these go to the main cities of Asturias (Avilés, Oviedo and Gijón) and from these, you can connect with Bilbao or Madrid.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Aeropuerto de Asturias 10.0 km OVD
Other:
- Beach 2.4 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape