Asturias Escape: Uncover Hidden Gems at Hotel Ruta de la Plata!
Asturias Escape: Hotel Ruta de la Plata - A Gem…Or Just a Glitch in Paradise? (My Honest Take)
Okay, so you're thinking Asturias, Spain, right? Picturesque landscapes, rugged coasts, and… Hotel Ruta de la Plata. Let me tell you, that trip… It was an experience. And I'm going to unpack it all, good and bad, for you. Buckle up, because this review ain't gonna be pretty. It's gonna be real.
(Metadata Snippet – Just in case Google is watching!):
- Keywords: Hotel Ruta de la Plata, Asturias, Spain, Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Spa, Swimming pool, Restaurant, WiFi, Family-friendly, Review, Travel, Vacation
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Hotel Ruta de la Plata in Asturias, Spain. Accessibility, spa experiences, food, rooms… I’m spilling the beans! What's good? What's a disaster? Find out here.
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle: A Mixed Bag
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. This is huge for me, and Hotel Ruta de la Plata… well, they try. The elevator was a godsend (essential for getting to the higher floors – and avoiding lung-busting climbs!) The website claimed wheelchair access, but navigating the hallways felt like a maze designed by a sadist. Some areas were beautifully wide, others… a squeeze. Honestly, I'd give it a tentative "mostly accessible – check before you book!". The public areas, at least, seemed manageable, though.
Wheelchair accessible: Check (with caveats).
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Can't remember specifically finding dedicated "accessible" seating, but spacious enough to manage.
Rooms & Amenities: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Bathed (in Sunlight, Thankfully)
The rooms? Okay, the room itself was huge. Seriously, could have hosted a small dance party. The extra long bed was a lifesaver (I'm tall, sue me!). They also had blackout curtains - total win. And the internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, that was fantastic, I mean, how else am I gonna post my Insta-stories?
Available in all rooms: Everything listed, except maybe the bathroom phone - I'm pretty sure I'd be calling for the maid if I had a phone in the bathroom for any length of time.
But the bathroom…shudder. The shower pressure was pathetic! And the hair dryer… it nearly burnt my eyebrows off! Daily housekeeping was on point, though. The room didn't smell like stale socks, which is always a good sign. The air conditioning worked like a charm – a must in the summer heat.
The Spa – My Attempt at Zen and the Existential Dread of a Body Wrap
Okay, the Spa. This was a big draw for me. I needed to de-stress after the flight. They had a Sauna, Steam room, and a Pool with a view. The view was stunning, overlooking some rolling hills. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a definite highlight - I spent a solid hour just floating.
I indulged in a Body wrap. Honestly, it was a weird experience. They slathered me in… stuff. Warm, goopy stuff. I felt like a mummified space alien. But, hey, I felt relaxed afterward, so, mission accomplished. Massage sessions were readily available, and the foot bath was a luxurious touch of relaxation.
Spa/sauna: Absolutely.
Dining & Food: From Buffet Bliss to… Questionable Choices
The Breakfast [buffet] was epic. Seriously, a glorious spread of everything. Buffet in restaurant. All the staples: Coffee/tea in restaurant, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast (surprisingly good!). Fruit, pastries, hot food…I wanted to eat it all. They even had a Vegetarian restaurant.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A solid selection. The Restaurants had an A la carte in restaurant menu. Happy hour was my friend!
Now, for the slightly less glamorous side. Dinner? Hmmm. The menu had some… alternative meal arrangement. One night, I ordered the "Chef's Special." It arrived looking… well, it didn't look like a chef's special. More like a cry for help. The Soup in restaurant tasted suspiciously like it came out of a can. I'm being dramatic? Maybe. But that particular dish… it haunts me still. The desserts in restaurant were acceptable, though.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Sanitizing Superhero Team
Okay, so they were serious about cleanliness. In the "Before Times," maybe I would have been less impressed, but in this day and age, I found it comforting. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization between stays. The staff all wore masks, and there were hand sanitizers everywhere. It felt safe, but also… a little sterile, you know?
Cleanliness and safety: Top tier. This Hotel is great at these things.
Extra Perks & Quirks: The Good, the Bad, and the "Wait, What?"
- Luggage storage: Handy, especially after early check-out, when you're hanging around the city.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Essential.
- Elevator: Praise be!
- Car park [free of charge]: Always a bonus.
- Pets allowed unavailable: I'm a dog lover! So, the fact that I couldn't bring my pup was a major miss, it would add a star!
But then there was… the shrine. I think it was supposed to be for prayer, or maybe just a decorative feature? But it just felt a bit random in the middle of the hallway. (shrugs shoulders) And the "proposal spot" they advertised? Looked more like a lonely bench.
The Bottom Line: Worth the Trip?
Look, Hotel Ruta de la Plata has its flaws. The food can be hit or miss. The decor is… let's call it "eclectic." The "proposal spot" needs some serious design work.
However, the staff are friendly, the spa is delightful, the location is fantastic. And the accessibility, while not perfect, is a solid effort. Overall? Yeah, I'd recommend it…with a few caveats. Manage your expectations. Pack your own snacks (and a decent can opener, in case you need to open your "Chef's Special" soup!). And enjoy the stunning views. You might – might – just stumble into a hidden gem. Or, at the very least, a memorable experience. But hey, what's travel without a little bit of chaos, right?
(End rambling)
Escape to Paradise: Yin Shui Han Motel's Kaohsiung Oasis Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my utterly chaotic (and hopefully enjoyable) trip to Hotel Ruta de la Plata de Asturias in Pola de Lena, Spain. This ain't your polished travel brochure, this is me, raw and real, spilling the beans (and probably a little Sangria) about my adventure.
Trip Title: Surviving the Spanish Countryside (and Maybe Finding Myself…or at Least a Decent Tapas)
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Sickness (Maybe), and a Search for the Holy Grail of Wi-Fi
- Morning (Okay, more like mid-afternoon): Arrive at Asturias Airport. Let's be honest, I'm not exactly a morning person, and after that red-eye, I looked like I’d lost a fight with a pillow. The airport was…compact. Charmingly so, actually. Reminded me of a particularly well-loved garden shed. The rental car? A tiny, adorable beast that I immediately nicknamed "Pequeño Poder" (Little Power). Wish me luck navigating these narrow mountain roads!
- The Drive: The scenery…Breathtaking. Seriously. Lush green hills, dramatic cliffs, and little villages clinging to the mountainsides. Okay, maybe I was feeling a little nauseous, but could be altitude, could be the sheer terror of driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Pretty sure I almost took out a flock of sheep. Sorry, sheep.
- Arrival at Hotel Ruta de la Plata: The hotel itself… a welcome sight after the winding roads. It's got a very classic vibe, like stepping into a movie about a charming rural detective. But here’s the real kicker: the Wi-Fi. or lack of it. The internet signal was weaker than my Spanish; the struggle was real.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food? Delicious, absolutely delicious. I think I ate enough chorizo to power a small village. They had a local red wine, which I'm pretty sure fueled my ability to hold a conversation with the waiter, even with my broken Spanish. Tried to order “un postre” but ended up accidentally ordering a mountain of cheese. No regrets. Cheese is life. Still no Wi-Fi. Send help (and more wine).
Day 2: Hiking, Heartbreak (Over Hiking Boots), and a River of Regret (and a Few Beers)
- Morning: Hiking! This was the grand plan. Packed my backpack, laced up my (ancient) hiking boots…and promptly discovered one of them had a gaping hole. A REAL hole. Like, a "your socks will be one with the trail" kind of hole. Cue the dramatic sigh and the frantic search for Plan B. Which turned out to be… my slightly less-than-ideal sneakers.
- The Hike (Part 1): The trail itself was gorgeous. Mountain views for days. Then the rain started. It wasn't a sprinkle; it was a downpour. The sneakers weren't exactly waterproof. My feet resembled something that had been fished out of a canal.
- Lunch: Found a tiny, rain-soaked restaurant ("Casa Pepa," I think it was). The owner gave me a knowing look at my sad shoes and immediately brought out a warming stew that revived my spirits. It had more meat than veggies, and I loved every single bite. She spoke no English, I spoke hardly any Spanish, but somehow, we understood each other perfectly. It was a moment.
- Afternoon: Back to the hotel. The hotel was dry but my shoes remained swampy. Spent far too long trying to dry them out.
- Evening: Wandered into the town. Found a beer in every bar and felt a whole lot better about life. The locals were friendly, despite my attempts at conversational Spanish quickly turning into a series of confused facial expressions and frantic gesturing. I think I accidentally told someone my shoe was going to need a lot more than a band-aid. Somehow, they understood and laughed, and I felt welcomed.
Day 3: Cave, Confusion, and a Confluence of Cultures
- Morning: Decided a bit of culture was in order, so ventured off to a cave some 20km far from the hotel. The cave was cool, literally and figuratively. The stalactites and stalagmites were incredible, almost like a grand, silent cathedral. Then the tour guide started talking. In rapid-fire Spanish. "¡Dios mío!" (My god!) I understood barely a word, but the sheer enthusiasm was infectious.
- Afternoon: Went to a local market. The colours. The smells. The sounds of people haggling for everything from cured hams to fresh flowers. I ended up buying some kind of cheese that smelled like a barn but tasted like heaven.
- Late Afternoon: Got lost. Utterly and completely lost. My trusty "Pequeño Poder" and I found ourselves on a tiny lane. I asked directions from a farmer. He gave me a very long explanation in Spanish. I understood about a quarter of it. Eventually, he gave up and just pointed. I think I was supposed to turn left. Or right. Who knows?
- Evening: Found a tiny restaurant, and it was a delight! Sat beside a family, the mother ordered for me, and it was delicious. Ate some of the best seafood in my life.
Day 4: Departure (and a Promise to Return, Eventually)
- Morning: One last breakfast at the hotel. Said goodbye to the incredibly lovely staff. Seriously, the people here are the best. They made me feel like I was a long-lost friend.
- Departure: The drive back to the airport. A little bit sad to leave. Found a small market on the way to buy food.
- The Flight: I looked out the window and saw the mountains. I thought how this trip was the best and that I'd definitely had to visit again.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, ate too much cheese, struggled with the language, and nearly lost a shoe. But it was real. It was messy. It was full of laughter, frustration, and moments of genuine connection. Hotel Ruta de la Plata de Asturias might not have had the best Wi-Fi, but it had something far more valuable: charm, character, and the kind of people who make you feel like you're truly welcome. I will be back… once I've mastered the Spanish for "Where's the bathroom and the cheese?" and perhaps figure out how to buy a pair of hiking boots that don't immediately disintegrate. Ah, Spain. You glorious, slightly chaotic, and utterly unforgettable place.
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Asturias Escape: Uncover Hidden Gems at Hotel Ruta de la Plata! - Ask Me Anything (That I Can Remember, Anyway)
Okay, so… Asturias. Why *that* hotel? And was it even any good? Spill the beans!
Alright, alright, settle down. So, Asturias. Beautiful, green, kinda misty… a photographer’s dream, really. And the hotel, Hotel Ruta de la Plata? Well, it *picked* us, in a way. We were, like, frantically Googling “charming Asturian hotels NOT in a tourist hellhole” and it just popped up. The photos looked all rustic-chic, with exposed beams and fireplaces and… well, you know, the usual romantic lies. Actually, it *was* pretty charming… kind of. More on that later.
The real reason? Price, probably. And, I'm not gonna lie, it was far enough away from the big crowds that you might actually hear your own thoughts. Or, you know, the sheep bleating in the distance. Which, frankly, depending on the day, was a vast improvement on the usual city soundtrack.
Let's talk food. Was the grub good? Did you gain a *lot* of weight? (Be honest!)
Oh, the food. The *food*. Okay, deep breath. So, Spanish food is generally a win, right? Especially in regions like Asturias, where the seafood is fresh and everyone seems to know a thing or two about cooking. The hotel restaurant? Err, a mixed bag. Some days, it was *chef’s kiss* – amazing seafood paella, melt-in-your-mouth jamón, the works. Other days… well, let's just say the "mystery meat" dish raised some eyebrows.
And yes, I gained weight. A glorious, delicious, carb-and-tapas fueled weight gain. Could have been the local cider, though. That stuff is potent, and they pour it from a great height, which I found endlessly entertaining, even if I was only getting a tiny bit of the actual drink in my glass. Seriously, it's like a circus act, but with alcohol. A beautiful, slightly tipsy circus act.
What were the "hidden gems" you supposedly uncovered? Don't leave us hanging!
Right, the *gems*. Okay, so the brochure promised secret waterfalls and untouched beaches. The reality? Well, we found a few things that mostly lived up to the hype.
One day, we drove for what felt like hours, down winding mountain roads (I swear, the sheep had right-of-way), and stumbled upon this tiny coastal village. Picture perfect. Fishing boats bobbing in the harbor, the smell of salt and freshly caught fish… and a tiny bar with the *best* percebes (gooseneck barnacles) I’ve ever eaten. Seriously, they were an experience. A messy, salty, delicious experience. You have to pry them off the rocks yourself, then, basically, *suck* them out of their shells. It sounds disgusting, I know, but trust me, it's amazing. The ocean tastes better, the air smells better, and you feel like you're actually *living*.
Another day ended in a terrible downpour; soaked to the bone, we discovered a tiny, local bakery where we ducked inside, and ate pastries bigger than my head. And the little old lady who ran the place? She didn't speak a lick of English, and we didn't speak a lick of Spanish, but we somehow communicated our absolute admiration of the cakes; a truly magical experience.
Okay, be honest, was it *really* a "romantic getaway"? Did sparks fly? (Or, you know… did you just argue about directions?)
Ugh, romantic. Ha! Look, no trip is all sunshine and roses, right? Okay, maybe *some* trips are, but this one? No. There were definitely moments of… tension. Mostly involving my terrible sense of direction and the fact that my partner is apparently fluent in "grumpy mountain goat."
The drive up to the hotel was legendary. The weather was *miserable*, torrential rain. The GPS was useless. And at one point (after, I admit, several wrong turns), I *may* have suggested we just turn around and go home. I *may* have also sworn at a particularly aggressive sheep. But you know what? We got through it. And the next day? The sun came out, and we were rewarded with the most incredible views. So, yes, there were sparks. Of annoyance, of course, but also, you know… maybe a *little* bit of love. And the scenery helped.
Tell me more about the hotel itself. Any major annoyances? Any things that made you think, "Wow, this is brilliant!"
Right, the *hotel*. Okay, the good. The staff were lovely, genuinely friendly and helpful. The public areas were cozy, the fireplace in the lounge was a lifesaver on chilly evenings (essential, trust me!). The views from the balcony of our room… breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. And the bed? Gloriously comfortable. Slept like a log.
Now, the not-so-good. The Wi-Fi was spotty. Like, really, really spotty. I'm talking dial-up in the 21st century kind of spotty. The bathroom, while clean, was… compact. Very, very compact. And the soundproofing? Let’s just say I got very familiar with the neighbor's snoring. Oh, and the lack of a kettle. Sacrilege. No morning tea? The horror! Despite those flaws, on balance, the hotel has a certain character. It's not perfect, and that's fine. It had a unique, slightly ramshackle charm that made it memorable.
Would you go back? And if so, what would you do differently?
Would I go back? Absolutely. Despite the Wi-Fi woes and the occasional grumpy mountain goat, the place grew on me. I'd go back in a heartbeat, and here's what I would change:
1. **Pack a travel kettle**. Tea is essential, people. Don't judge.
2. **Learn some basic Spanish**. My attempts resulted in a lot of confused looks. Apologies to the locals.
3. **Lower my expectations**. Then I'd be pleasantly surprised.
4. **Embrace the sheep**. Seriously, they're everywhere. Learn to love them or you'll go insane.
5. **Don't be afraid to get lost**. Some of the best discoveries happen when you have no idea where you’re going. Some of the worst too, I suppose, but the good ones are worth it.
Asturias is magical, and the Hotel Ruta de la Plata, even with its quirks, was a great base from which to explore that magic. So, yes. Go. Just… pack a kettle.
