I had booked a 3 night stay at this Parador and was only given the option of a half-pension basis so I had to eat at the Parador.

Santillana is a very pretty, though touristy, small town not very far from Santander. There are two linked Paradors here. The original one and another in a historic building, the Parador Gil Blas. The centre of Santillana is officially pedestrians-only but if you have a Parador reservation you may drive in. Ignore the signs indicating that no traffic is allowed!!

The staff at reception were perfectly friendly and asked if I wanted to reserve a table in the restaurant that evening. I said I was booked on a half-persion basis but they said it would be better to reserve a table. I had no problem with doing this.

Unfortunately, although the reception want you to reserve a table, it means nothing in the restaurant which operates on a first come, first served basis. So people who come early with no reservation get good tables and people who come later have to wait. I do not understand why so many Parador restaurants cannot seem to get their heads round this as it is cause for constant annoyance. Anyway I didn't get upset, there's no point ,but other people did.

So tip number one is:

Get to the restaurant by 8.30pm at the latest if you want a table.


Anyway, the meal was Parador standard so if you want a good night out I would suggest eating in one of the restaurants in the town which are less expensive and where they understand the basic concepts of table reservation.

The room was clean, well-equipped and with a nice view of the picturesque square outside. Nothing to complain about until I was awoken at 6.00am by the noise of the refuse collectors and their vehicles who very noisily got on with their business outside for about 30 minutes. As I was on holiday I didn't really want this particular alarm-call.

Needless to say I enquired at reception a couple of hours later and was told: "Oh yes, that happens every morning. Is it a problem?" Well, at least that was honest!
I asked if I could change my room. No problem, I was allocated a room overlooking the garden which I was assured was quiet.
It was, so problem solved.

Tip number two is: Insist on a room on the garden side of the hotel if you don't want to wake up early.


All in all the hotel is alright for the price but once again one gets the impression that, because it is in a very touristy little town and because, like so many Paradors, the hotel is full most of the time with groups, nobody really has to try very hard to please.