Hotel San Ángel

“a 1970's mirage”

My husband and I were checking out the Camino del Norte along the coast by car this spring, and decided to stop driving when an evening rainshower started up. We suddenly saw this huge roadside hotel, like something you'd see in Palm Springs, which sported a sign advertising new management. We dr… more

My husband and I were checking out the Camino del Norte along the coast by car this spring, and decided to stop driving when an evening rainshower started up. We suddenly saw this huge roadside hotel, like something you'd see in Palm Springs, which sported a sign advertising new management. We drove around it twice before finding the front door (around the back: very bad fung shui!) But we were interested enough by its fabulous 1970's design to want to stay there. We were a little afraid how much it would cost and were taken aback by the price- only 40 Euros! On the way to our room on the second floor we spied an opulent lounge with fireplace and a grand dining room. The mid-century modern influenced decoration is truly fantastic, and rare to find in Spain. We trundled off to the first floor dining room later, to find we were the only people there, and it was freezing cold. The waitress kindly turned on the heat for us. The menu del dia was only 10 Euros, but the food was pretty bad, except for the mixed vegetable soup which was probably very nourishing. I can't imagine them keeping a chef on staff with no guests. We got back to our room and the heat was off there, too, but they turned it on at our request. A truly bizarre experience. I expect during the summer months they're very busy and the prices go up accordingly. Perhaps it's a conference centre, too. This is the kind of experience we enjoy- something completely unexpected!

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