Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsRefugio La Ardilla Real, located in the picturesque town of Santa Marina de Valdeón, offers a remarkable sanctuary for nature lovers and adventurers. Its proximity to the majestic Picos de Europa provides easy access to a variety of activities like mountaineering, climbing, and hiking, making it an ideal base for exploring breathtaking mountain routes. Guests delight in the charming village and tranquil escape it provides, further enhancing their stay.
The refuge is well-regarded for its breakfast offerings, with guests enjoying a delicious, hearty, and abundant start to their day. While some find the breakfast basic or wish it started earlier, the attentive staff ensures a satisfying experience by accommodating early risers. Scenic views during breakfast add to the overall positive dining experience.
Dinner at Refugio La Ardilla Real receives high praise for its spectacular, home-cooked meals. Guests frequently commend the cured beef and appreciate the quality and taste. The dining experience complements the fabulous atmosphere, providing good value for money and memorable culinary enjoyment.
Accommodations are basic yet comfortable, with options for two or four guests. Rooms are notably compact, often resulting in limited ventilation and soundproofing, but suit budget travelers seeking modest lodging. Cleanliness across the refuge is impressive, with well-maintained restrooms and showers contributing to a cozy experience.
The outstanding staff at Refugio La Ardilla Real significantly enriches the guest experience with their kindness and welcoming nature. Known for their attentive service, they consistently ensure that guests feel at home, enhancing the delightful atmosphere together with superb service and exceptional food.
While some bedding concerns arise, including limited height between bunk beds and occasional firmness issues, most guests find comfort and relaxation in the overall sleeping experience. Despite a few minor inconveniences, Refugio La Ardilla Real offers a memorable retreat with attentive service, beautiful surroundings, and flavorful dining options in one of Spain's captivating landscapes. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Cheap Hostel
Small Hostel
Room Types
Standard Quadruple RoomThe quadruple room provides a wardrobe, parquet floors, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The quadruple room features heating. The unit offers 4 beds.
Basic Triple RoomThe triple room features a wardrobe, parquet floors, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 3 beds.
Double RoomThe double room offers a wardrobe, parquet floors, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The double room provides heating. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Location
Nestled in the picturesque town of Santa Marina de Valdeón, Refugio La Ardilla Real offers an extraordinary location for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. This charming hideaway sits right at the entrance of the majestic Picos de Europa, providing easy access to an array of exhilarating activities like mountaineering, climbing, and hiking. Guests appreciate its proximity to starting points for various trails, making it the perfect base for exploring the stunning Cain de Valdeon and other breathtaking mountain routes. The surrounding little village is described as absolutely gorgeous, providing a tranquil escape where visitors can truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The seamless blend of beautiful scenery, well-maintained facilities, and a delightful atmosphere enhances the overall experience of staying at this refuge, promising a memorable and restful retreat in one of Spain's most captivating natural landscapes.
Breakfast
At Refugio La Ardilla Real, guests generally find the breakfast to be an enjoyable start to their day. Many describe it as delicious, hearty, and abundant, indicating a satisfying range of offerings that include coffee, milk, pastries, cookies, toast with butter and jam, as well as seasonal fruits and juices prepared with care. Despite some guests feeling that the breakfast is rather basic or starts a bit late at 9 a.m. for those eager to begin their activities early, the overall experience is positive, with several patrons appreciating the quality and taste of the meals served. The attentive staff enhances the experience, thoughtfully preparing and setting out breakfast for those with early starts, ensuring that they do not miss out. While a few guests perceive the breakfast as scarce considering the price, the general consensus points to satisfying and well-prepared breakfast options that include good coffee to complement the meal, accompanied by scenic views that add to the dining experience.
Dinner
Refugio La Ardilla Real has garnered positive attention for its dinner offerings, making it a highlight for many guests. The food is frequently described as spectacular, with special acclaim for the cured beef, and many found the meals to be delicious and prepared with care. The first night's dinner often stands out as superb, and guests recurrently remark on the great taste and quality of the dishes served. The menu features home-cooked food that delivers good value for money, contributing to memorable dining experiences. Even though tastes may vary, the overall consensus points to the culinary offerings being a strong aspect of a stay at this hotel, complementing the fabulous atmosphere that guests enjoy.
Rooms
Refugio La Ardilla Real offers basic and comfortable accommodations intended for guests seeking a modest lodging experience. The setup provides separate rooms catered to accommodate two or four guests, which is seen as a notable advantage. However, guests should be prepared for compact spaces, as the rooms are described as very small, especially for groups of four, with limited ventilation.
The arrangement features rooms with partitions and curtains as ceilings, resulting in a lack of soundproofing and allowing for easy communication through thin side walls. This rustic setup means guests might experience some noise from neighboring rooms, which could affect overall comfort during the night.
One aspect that requires consideration is the location of the restrooms. They are situated on the ground floor while rooms are placed either on the second or third floor, potentially causing inconvenience for guests who prefer closer proximity. In addition, details like noisy beds and mattresses that occasionally sink may impact sleep quality.
Travelers looking for an economical option with rudimentary amenities might find Refugio La Ardilla Real suitable, though the setup might not cater to those seeking quiet or seamless access to facilities.
Beds
Refugio La Ardilla Real offers bunk beds typical of hostel accommodations, providing several guests with a sense of homeliness and comfort during their stay. While the mattresses themselves are noted for their comfort, some guests found the design of the bunk beds challenging. Specifically, the height between the bunks is limited, which can be uncomfortable for adults in the lower beds, creating a slightly claustrophobic environment. Additionally, some reported issues with noise and firmness in certain beds, and there was a mention of a mattress that sank. Despite these concerns, the overall sleeping experience was generally positive for many visitors, allowing them to feel relaxed and at ease.
Cleanliness
Refugio La Ardilla Real offers a charming and cozy experience with its picturesque setting, just a short six-minute drive from Posada de Valdeón. Guests consistently note the impressive cleanliness throughout the property, including the restrooms and showers, which are frequently highlighted as being particularly well-maintained and modern. The facilities, though basic, provide comfort, and the restaurant adds to the appeal with its favorable reviews regarding cleanliness and service. While the refuge itself is a peaceful place to sleep, it is important to note that the noise isolation between rooms is not ideal, and sounds can be heard at night. Despite this, the overall guest experience remains positive, making it a worthwhile destination for those seeking tranquility and attentive service in a beautiful setting.
Staff
Refugio La Ardilla Real consistently impresses its guests with its exceptional staff, praised for their kindness, friendliness, and welcoming nature. The team is described as warm and charming, going above and beyond to make guests feel comfortable and at ease. Particularly noted are the three dedicated staff members often mentioned for their attentive service and open-minded approach. Guests enjoy the delightful experience of dining and relaxing in a cozy atmosphere, enhanced by the superb service and delicious food. The staff's dedication ensures an excellent reception and makes the location all the more spectacular.
No, Refugio La Ardilla Real doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Refugio La Ardilla Real.
No, Refugio La Ardilla Real doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Refugio La Ardilla Real.