Why Asturias isn’t more well-known is beyond us. Its pristine emerald pastures and snow-capped peaks provide the most refreshing antidote to the heaving Costas of the south and the sweltering concrete of Madrid. You can hike all day here and not see another soul, save for the odd wild horse, yet you’re never too far from a hearty bowl of fabada (Asturian bean stew) and a bustling sidrería (cider bar) packed with merry locals. Join the fiesta and get in on the secret: Asturias is a beauty waiting to be explored.
Follow a small mountain road through the foothills of the Picos de Europa to reach El Gran Sueño, a cossetting 5-bedroom guesthouse and 3 sophisticated apartments set in a picturesque hamlet. The delightful owners, Javier and Dave, decided they'd had enough of city life in Brighton, so headed for pastures new here in Javier’s ancestral region. Not only have they built something surpassingly comfortable and stylish, but everything has been done with the utmost love and care - from the eco-friendly ground source heating deep under the garden, to the quirky record player (and great vinyl collection) in the communal living room. This is absolutely not your standard Spanish hotel. El Gran Sueño means The Big Dream, and with the blissful getaway they have created here, it is indeed hard to imagine a sweeter dream than this one.
Highs
- Breathtaking views towards the jagged peaks of the Picos de Europa mountains: a true hiker's paradise
- Warm, welcoming rooms and apartments with spoiling extras and very friendly prices
- Javier and Dave are natural hosts who put their heart and soul into their work - and it shows
- Dave’s home cooking: organic, seasonal and restaurant-quality, with excellent vegetarian and vegan options
- This part of Asturias has it all - mountains, coast, culture, food, tranquility
Lows
- Strict no children policy (a plus for many!)
- Although the hotel is full of creature comforts, this is rural Asturias; there are no shops or restaurants within walking distance
- The climate here is wetter than other parts of Spain, but the reward is green, green, green!
- Apart from your hosts, almost no English is spoken locally (which is why we love it) - learn a few phrases before you come
Best time to go
The warmest months are end of May to end of October, but if you’re here for the beaches, avoid August. Asturias is wonderful at any other time. Infiesto´s very own Feria de Abril is in April; there’s jazz in July in Ribadesella, a hazelnut festival in early October. The wild flowers of Picos de Europa are the most diverse in Europe: a glory from April to June.
Our top tips
While the nearby village of Infiesto (7km) may feel like a very typical Asturian town, it hides a one-of-a-kind gem: the old wine shop, Vinos Alvarez Nava. It first opened in 1860, having been run by the same family for an astounding eight generations, and is filled floor-to-ceiling with dusty bottles and dark wood. We think this is the best place in town to pick up some excellent Spanish vino to take home with you.
- Boutique Hideaway
- 5 rooms + 3 apartments for 2
- Breakfast and dinner (booking required)
- Over 16s only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
El Gran Sueño offers 5 immaculate double rooms, and 3 separate self-catering apartments.
We stayed in Terraza (Deluxe Double with Terrace), which is seriously worth splashing out on. Its large furnished terrace has a breathtaking mountain and pastoral view, where you can watch the sunrise. Terraza connects to Jardín (Deluxe Double with View) via a private corridor - useful for groups (but no under 16s). Inside, it boasts original features, a bathtub with overhead shower, and dreamy country views. Both the Terraza and Jardín rooms can be set up with twin beds.
All the rooms are full of light, but Galería (Deluxe Double with View) has a traditional galleried window that is particularly bright. Loft (Deluxe Double) overlooks picturesque barns, and has a seating area under the eaves (the cosy mezzanine reached by a ladder) plus a skylight view of the stars. Plaza (Deluxe Double), overlooking the rustic hamlet, has a gorgeous bathroom with an exposed brick wall.
Expect nothing but the best high-quality mattresses, top-notch linens, super-soft towels and posh toiletry sets by La Chinata. There are characterful touches, such as salvaged wood for bathroom shelves and framed records for art. Lovely extras include Bose speakers and underfloor heating.
Since our last visit, 3 self-catering apartments have been added, which are ideal for those seeking a little more independence. La Casita is a 2-storey cottage with exposed brickwork, El Duplex is an apartment with its own freestanding rolltop bath in the bedroom and El Estudio is a neatly designed living and sleeping space with its own private garden. These have fully equipped kitchens, terraces and balconies with sweeping views of the gardens and mountains.
Features include:
- Bluetooth sound system
- Central heating
- Hairdryer
- Radio
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
An all-organic breakfast is included for those staying in the guesthouse (guests in the apartments can pay extra to have it). It is served at crisply dressed tables in the dining room, or on the terrace in sunnier months. The standout feature of breakfast is the love and care that goes into the food on your plate; almost everything is homemade - cakes, jams, freshly squeezed OJ and even sourdough bread (Dave rises early!).
Their set three-course dinner has a real posh dinner party feel. The daily-changing menu is based on the market choice that day: fresh, seasonal, and unwaveringly local. We loved our starter of tiger prawn and monkfish salad (salpicón), followed by French favourite coq-au-vin and a vegan chocolate brownie for dessert. Wines are all Spanish and carefully chosen. The whole experience really felt like a lovely evening in with friends. Book dinner well ahead, and note that in August the restaurant doesn't offer 3-course meals, but light bites and raciones (tapas) are available instead.
The three apartments come with fully-equipped kitchens for easy self-catering. It's best to come prepared with supplies, though, as it's a fair drive to the nearest supermarket.
If you fancy heading out, your hosts know the best little eateries nearby, from simple bars in Infiesto (7km) to a Michelin star restaurant in Arriondas (25km). Our top pick is nearby eatery Pusáki, who offer a sublime 7-course Asturian tasting menu.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Room service
- Self-catering
Activities
- You're on the edge of wild, snow-capped Asturian mountains: circular walks from the doorstep lead through rolling green hills, chestnut and apple orchards, and you may spot vultures or semi-wild Asturcón ponies
- Kayak down the River Sella, or try horse-riding, canyoning and potholing with local operator Frontera Verde (Dave and Javier can advise and book)
- Check out the luscious beaches of the emerald coastline - sandy sweeps, pebbly coves, great surf, no crowds - stopping off in the villages of Ribadesella (45km, stamping-ground of Queen Letizia) and Lastres (40km, densely-packed fishermens' houses)
- Nearby Infiesto (7km) is an authentic, gentle town with cafés, markets and sidrerías, where you can try locally brewed cider, poured from a great height
- See the Romanesque churches of Santa María (Villamayor) and San Juan de Berbío (Infiesto), which line a stretch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Canyoning
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Surfing
Location
El Gran Sueño is set in the mountains near the village of Pintueles and 7km from the small town of Infiesto, in the Asturias region of northern Spain. It's around 2 hours west of Bilbao.
By Air
Asturias Airport is an hour away (83km), otherwise Santander (150km) and Bilbao (250km) are possible options.
By Ferry
If you don't want to fly from the UK, Brittany Ferries runs services from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander, 1.5-2 hours' drive from the hotel.
From the Airport or Port
We'd definitely recommend hiring a car so you can explore the area - see our car rental recommendations. Otherwise, there are trains to Infiesto (7km) and taxis locally.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Asturias (Oviedo) 83.0 km OVD
- Santander 150.0 km SDR
Other:
- Beach 25.0 km
- Shops 7.0 km
- Restaurant 7.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape