Best Spa and Wellness Stays in Avilés

Having two real bedrooms and a living room, rather than one hotel room, made a genuine difference for a family stay: the kids had their own space, and the washing machine meant packing lighter for a longer trip. The solarium and barbecue turned a couple of evenings into stay-in nights instead of always eating out, and the coast's windsurfing and snorkelling were an easy add-on during the day. This isn't a hotel with a front desk and daily service, so it suits travellers happy with self-catering independence.

Staying inside an actual 17th-century palace, rather than a modern building dressed up to look historic, changes the whole feel of a visit: the garden views, the classical decoration and the restaurant's take on Asturian dishes all read as authentic rather than staged. Being right on Plaza de España, opposite the town hall, puts the old town's best walking on the doorstep, and the coast is a five-minute drive out. Anyone expecting minimalist, ultra-modern rooms should know this is a period building, quirks included.

The kitchenette and dining table make this a genuinely practical base for a longer stay, cooking a simple breakfast instead of hunting for an open café, and the hot tub and garden terrace give a reason to stay in some evenings rather than always going out. The 600-metre walk to Teatro Armando Palacio Valdés is easy with kids in tow, and the soundproofing means naps aren't derailed by street noise. Travellers wanting full hotel services, daily room service included, should look at a more traditional property instead.

The location does most of the work here: 100 metres from the harbour and Plaza España means evenings out don't require a car, and the home-made breakfast in the cafeteria is a genuinely nice start to the day. Rooms are simple but properly spacious, useful with extra luggage or a stroller. The 20-minute walk to the Niemeyer Centre suits older kids but needs planning for very young ones. Salinas Beach, five kilometres out, is an easy add-on with a rental car.

This is a practical choice for a family stay: the rooms are modern and comfortable rather than characterful, but the fitness centre, family rooms and nearby park give children room to burn off energy between old-town outings. The two-minute walk into the historic centre means dinners out don't require a car, and the on-site restaurant and café cover easier evenings. Guests who want a hotel with real period charm should look elsewhere, but for straightforward comfort near Las Meanas park, it delivers.

The distance from the old town, 1.6 km, turns out to be an advantage for a family stay: rooms are quiet and soundproofed, the beds are properly sized, and there's private garage parking rather than hunting for a spot near narrow historic streets. The Embalse de Trasona gives children somewhere to run around outside the usual sightseeing, and the café's free computer came in handy for printing tickets. Anyone wanting to step straight out onto old-town cobblestones will find the location a short drive rather than a walk.