Rooms

Gran Hotel Brillante has a mix of 22 spotless rooms and apartments, each lovingly and recently restored, and each fantastic value for money.

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.

The floors below have tranquil rooms in varying sizes. Expect a mix of old and new. Think clean white walls, art deco lights and polished wood floors. 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 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

The food served at the hotel restaurant comes highly recommended. Breakfast is served buffet-style with both savoury (cold cuts, cheese, boiled eggs, Spanish omelettes, an array of toasts) and sweet options (home-made cakes, brownies, cheesecake, crepes). Healthy options include kefir yoghurt, fresh fruit and chia seeds.

Dinner – with a focus on fresh and local produce including much bounty from the Bay of Biscay (think smoked anchovies, Galician seasoned sautéed octopus, pickled mussels, bacalao and sea bream) – is reportedly exceptional, with good portions, and all at a reasonable price point. We like the sound of the Russian salad, artichokes with Iberian ham and the Asturias cheeses with walnut and apple salad. There's also a great value set menu. Desserts include rice pudding and house-made cake, or head to the cheese tasting platter.

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 Monterrey Restaurant (1 min).

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
  
• Hike one of the many trails on offer. The "Senda de los Miradores" trails begin in San Esteban de Pravia (8 mins) and goes to Playa de El Aguilar. Follow the coastline to breathtaking views of the Deva Island and Cabo Vídio lighthouse
  
• San Esteban is worth exploring: it is one of the way stations on the Camino del Norte pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela; the town has a small but attractive beach with an ocean pool just a 15 minute walk away
  
• 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:

• 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.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years)

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

Distances:

• Airport: 10 minutes
• Hospital: 15 minutes
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Gran Hotel Brillante is in the small town of San Esteban de Pravia, in the Asturias region 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 10-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.