Hotel Arha Villa de Suances 

We spent 2 nights here on a Brittany Ferries short break. Criteria for our stay were; close to Santander - Suances is 20 km approx., on the coast with beaches and fishing port - 3 beaches and a pretty port area, quiet small and friendly hotel with bar/restaurant and free parking - exactly so with the bonus of superb country views and a pool. You will not find modern minimalist fixtures here but the furnishings are traditional with pretty attention to detail and ample storage facilities in the room and bathroom. No safe in the room but reception has one if you need it. We had a delightful view of the countryside and outskirts of Suances town from the room which was above the terrace with the same view. Reception staff were so friendly, as in fact were all we met, the lovely waitresses seem to multi task serving drinks and cleaning frequently. 10 minutes walk to the huge La Concha beach - some steep steps at the bottom of the road the hotel is on cut the corner. Walking back could be difficult for the less mobile who will probably need a car. Plenty of bars and restaurants in the beach area and behind. Walk the length of this beach and you find the port area with even more. We discovered the dinner menu and wine list and decided to sample this. The hotel does not serve snacks, just a "menu of the day" for lunch or dinner with plenty of choice for each of 3 courses currently priced at 15 euros. This is real Spanish food. We loved it but fussy children may not! A really nice bottle of wine or cava for 9 euros too! Another of which we took on to the terrace to peacefully enjoy the view as darkness fell and a little bat flitted around catching insects. You could also eat all meals on the terrace weather permitting. The restaurant has a bar and there is another small one, bright and prettily decorated. Breakfast is self service - no full English (not commonly offered in this part of Spain) but plenty of fruit, yogurt, patisserie, tortilla, ham and cheese and plenty of good coffee and tea. The pool area, as all of the hotel, was spotlessly clean with a shaded area as a refuge from the heat, adjacent to the terrace and sharing the view. The hotel was so relaxed and comfortable we didn't go out in the evenings. Our room was so quiet, no noise from adjacent rooms or from the terrace. One reviewer reported mosquitoes but we found none but always use a plug- in insecticide just in case. The receptionist who greeted us spoke some English but one of us speaks Spanish so we can't tell how much other staff members did. This hotel is a gem in such a picturesque resort - some incredible walks to be had as well. The main town you pass through on the way is very attractive but a bit of a walk uphill. Most of our fellow guests were Spanish, with one French couple and a few Germans. English people seem to mostly by-pass the North of Spain as it does not get the consistent good weather of the South and East and English is not widely spoken. It makes up for this in charm and character and the friendliness of the people. We can not wait to return and for longer (depending on the Ferry timetable).