Casona de San Pantaleon de Aras

Casona de San Pantaleon is a small hotel tucked away in a surprising location, surrounded by water and accessed by a small mediaeval bridge. The isolation adds to the sense of oneness with the environment; the mountains, the rivers and the valleys, yet in reality the hotel is easily accessible from the airports and ferries at Santander and Bilbao.

The restoration and conversion has kept the Casona looking just like a casona (country house) should: big, square, rustic, and looking like it could withstand an artillery siege. The hotel sits in over an acre of land, planted with fruit trees and native species, washed on one side by a mill stream and on the other by the river Clarin.

The hotel has seven rooms, including three suites. They are spacious and individually designed to take full advantage of the 400 years of history that has gone into their making. They all have telephone, television, central heating and most have the option of twin beds or a double.

The heart of the house is the three storey hall and stairs with it's stone entrance arch and huge wooden door. The mixture of stone, brick, wood, plaster, ironwork and tiles bears witness to the long and varied history of the house. The dining room leads off from here, a cosy little space dominated by the stone entrance arch of the mediaeval tower at the centre of the house. There is also a lounge with a large old fireplace, another cosy place for reading, relaxing or chatting with friends. The spa is located in the loft, where there is a sauna, steam bath, hydromassage shower, mini hydromassage pool and a relaxation zone offering exclusive use for two people.

Casona de San Pantaleon is in a handy position, not too far for a visit to Bilbao, and with ready access to all the beaches and marine scenery of the Cantabrian coast as well as the mountains of Cantabria. It's a little populated area of great ecological importance for its varied flora, fauna and geology.

Meals

Breakfasts and other meals are available in the garden, under the veranda or in your own room. Being in an area so renowned for its produce, it's natural that the cooking takes full advantage of the best products from the region: yoghurts and cheeses, outdoor-reared beef, anchovies, tuna, and don't forget the home-made cakes and biscuits.

Out and About

The Cantabria coast is only 6 km away, where there are numerous sandy beaches and spectacular cliffs.
Walking. Fabulous hiking routes, just about everywhere.
Quad bike treks in the Aras valley.
Horse-riding on the dunes at Laredo.
Canoeing on the river Asón.
Pot-holing and cave visits.

Places to visit:
This area of northern Spain is one of great ecological and cultural importance, with the nature reserves on the salt-marshes of Santoña and Noja, and the abundant wildlife of the Collados de Ason natural park.
Santoña, Laredo and Castro-Urdiales are historic fishing towns full of tradition and famous for their lively fiestas.
Santillana del Mar is less than an hour away.
Altamira Museum.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, also less than one hour by car.

Twin or king size bed available in every room.

Puerta de la Torre. Situated above the entrance arch of the mediaeval tower. Antique and contemporary furniture. Small balcony onto the front of the house.
El Cuarto Secreto. During the restoration, a secret chamber was discovered that forms a part of this room. Decorated with Modernist and Art Deco furnishings and with a small balcony to the front of the house.
El Contador Real. Named after the first owner of the house, who was the "keeper of the royal purse". Antique furniture and a 19th century wash basin. Views of the mediaeval bridge, the gardens and the mountains.
El Arco. A big stone arch discovered during the restoration sets the tone for this room. View of the garden and river Clarin.

Canal del Molino. Views of the mill stream and wood. Twin or king size bed available. Sofa-bed makes it possible to be used as a triple.

La Huerta. The most romantic room, with a four-poster  double bed, a nice wooden terrace with views of the garden and river and a special bath open to the bedroom with hydromassage bathtube.

El Escudo. Suite dúplex with a twin or king size bedroom and a bathroom on the ground floor and a living room, bathroom and a twin or king size bedroom on the top.  Situated in the 15th century tower where there is the family coat-of-arms. Huge stone walls. Sofa-bed in the living room makes it possible to be used for five people.

El Escudo. Suite dúplex with a twin or king size bedroom and a bathroom on the ground floor and a living room, bathroom and a twin or king size bedroom on the top.  Situated in the 15th century tower where there is the family coat-of-arms. Huge stone walls. Sofa-bed in the living room makes it possible to be used for five people.

El Escudo. Suite dúplex with a twin or king size bedroom and a bathroom on the ground floor and a living room, bathroom and a twin or king size bedroom on the top.  Situated in the 15th century tower where there is the family coat-of-arms. Huge stone walls. Sofa-bed in the living room makes it possible to be used for five people.