a hotel with its own personality
Asturias is honest, authentic, full of life, respectful of the past and present, attentive, courageous, welcoming, modern and cosmopolitan. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed getaway or an adrenaline-filled one , you can’t go wrong with Gran Hotel El Brillante in San Esteban de Pravia. Pack your stuff, your next trip awaits!
By land, sea or air. It doesn’t matter how you get to Asturias, in northern Spain. The lofty sight of the steep Cantabrian Mountains, with their rolling green valleys which meet the coastline in an abrupt outline which falls off into the deep blue Cantabrian Sea, captivates you before you even step foot in Asturias. This is just the start of a unique experience for which you are going to need all five senses. Without them you will not be able to taste its gastronomy, be stunned by its architecture, breathe its nature, listen to its urban heartbeat or enjoy its hospitality.
We travel to San Esteban de Pravia, a small fishing village on the left bank of the Nalón estuary, just a few metres from its mouth in the Cantabrian Sea where the building that housed the mythical pension ‘Brillante’, inaugurated in 1905, reopened its doors last year as ‘Gran Hotel Boutique Brillante’.
Due to its impressive natural location, San Esteban has attracted the attention of artists. At the beginning of the 20th century it hosted a remarkable colony among which was the prominent Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío. But in addition to its artistic vocation, San Esteban has a cosmopolitan feeling; its Indian past manifested in its overseas architecture and in the palm trees of its private gardens.
In August 1904, coinciding with the arrival of the railway to San Esteban de Pravia and the dawn of a golden age marked by the incipient industry and the splendour of the bourgeois class, the notable Asturian journalist, Edmundo Díaz del Riego, inaugurated the Brillante. Gran Hotel Boutique Brillante keeps alive the history and preserves all the charm of the early 20th century, when the seaport of the village was one of the most important ones in Spain. The establishment faithfully preserves the essence of the old Hospedería.
The property is now considered one of the best boutique accommodations in the area. It has 14 rooms including the main suite, Rubén Darío, and 8 private residences for guests who want to stay longer. It has a modern interior design with Colonial details and uniquely decorated rooms.
You can enjoy a drink or evening meal in the hotel’s stylish Restaurant. Try the tasting menu with local gastronomy and plenty seafood and fish and a good winne served chilled or a glass of champagne Laurent Perrier.
There is nothing better than starting the morning enjoying a good breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice. The hotel has a wide range of hand-made pastries, made every day in its own bakery. The wide and exquisite selection of homemade biscuits, frixuelos, toasts, show cooking of scrambled eggs, omelettes, seasonal fruits, a selection of cold meats and cheeses, jams, dried fruits, cereals, yoghurts… and a selection of bread rolls stand out.
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Exclusivity, privacy and a chic touch create a special atmosphere of harmony and respect for the incomparable natural environment and local history in every corner of Gran Hotel El Brillante. You will undoubtedly enjoy a pleasant, relaxed experience, and you will be able to get to know the surrounding villages such as Cudillero or Somao.
Asturias is Spain’s best-kept secret, it is a perfect destination for those looking to get away from mass tourism. Add this cozy region to your bucket list!
