Uncover the Secrets of La Casona de Jovellanos: Gijón's Hidden Gem!
Uncover the Secrets of La Casona de Jovellanos: Gijón's Hidden Gem!
La Casona de Jovellanos: Gijón's Hidden Gem… or Just a Pretty Facade? (A Messy, Honest Review)
Alright, folks, buckle up. This isn't your sanitized, corporate hotel review. This is my experience, warts and all, with La Casona de Jovellanos in Gijón. I'm talking real talk, the kind that involves coffee spills, questionable decisions in the sauna, and the overwhelming urge to nap… constantly. So, let's dive headfirst into this casona!
Meta-Data Before the Mayhem:
- Keywords: La Casona de Jovellanos, Gijón, Asturias, Spain, Hotel Review, Spa, Accessibility, Luxury Hotel, Historic Hotel, Beachfront, Food, Dining, Activities, WiFi, Swimming Pool, Sauna, Fitness Center, Dog Friendly, Review, Travel, Vacation, Staycation, Hotel, Accommodation, Room Service, Spa Treatments, Breakfast, Dining
Accessibility: Trying to Navigate… Literally.
Okay, let’s start with the important stuff. Accessibility. The website said accessible. The reality? A bit… wishful thinking. While the elevator was a lifesaver (thank goodness for those!), maneuvering through the common areas felt a bit like an obstacle course, especially if you're navigating with mobility issues. The front desk folks were super helpful though, always trying to assist. It’s not perfect, but they clearly made an effort. There is Facilities for disabled guests and they tried!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Can't say for certain, but I don't recall seeing specific setups other than the elevator. If you've got mobility problems, double-check with the hotel directly before booking.
Wheelchair accessible: Partially, as mentioned before. Some areas are definitely easier to get around than others.
The Room: A Sanctuary (or a Prison, Depending on the Mood)
Ah, the room. Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. It was a good one. My room was a delightful mix of classic and modern, with those gorgeous Asturian touches. The bed? Heavenly. Seriously, I swear I spent half my time there. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver (hello, afternoon naps!), and the free Wi-Fi was crucial. Internet access – wireless also. I did appreciate the coffee/tea maker for my morning fix.
I got the Non-smoking room, which was great.
- The Imperfection: I tried to use the in-room safe box, but I was probably too tired to figure it out at first. It took some Googling. Not the hotel's fault, more mine!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling a Bit… Sanitized.
Okay, let’s be real. In this post-pandemic world, we’re all obsessed with clean. And La Casona delivered. The Anti-viral cleaning products were clearly in use. I'm talking serious scrubbing! They have Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, and Staff trained in safety protocol. The Rooms sanitized between stays – check. I really felt safe. They even offered Room sanitization opt-out available if you wanted to skip it.
- Quirk: The sheer omnipresence of hand sanitizer made me feel like I was living in a science experiment. At the very least, I knew germs were not winning.
The Spa: Sauna Shenanigans, and a Pool with a View… That Saved My Sanity.
Now, THIS is where things got interesting. The Spa/sauna. Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. I'm a spa junkie, and La Casona knew how to play my weaknesses.
That Pool with view? Absolutely Instagrammable, but more importantly, it was incredibly relaxing. Floating there, looking out over… something (can’t remember, I was too blissed out), I forgot all my worries. Bliss!
- The Rambling: And the sauna? Oh, the sauna. I’m not going to lie, I accidentally spilled water on the hot stones twice. Awkward. I think they have rules about that. I probably looked like a clumsy fool. But hey, the Steamroom was worth it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, and Fueling My Obsession With Naps.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. The food was… varied. The Buffet in restaurant: The breakfast buffet was extensive, from eggs and bacon (Western breakfast, check!) to some more exotic pastries. Coffee lovers will be happy; there's a Coffee/tea in restaurant. The Room service [24-hour] made my late-night snack cravings a reality.
- The Opinionated: I'm a sucker for desserts in restaurant, and La Casona did not disappoint. I'm still dreaming of that tarta de Santiago…
Services and Conveniences: Where You Can't Possibly Get Bored.
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. The concierge went above and beyond, helping me figure out public transport. The terrace was the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink. I also appreciated the Daily housekeeping and the Luggage storage. Everything you'd expect from a hotel. The Check-in/out [express] was smooth, no waiting around!
- The Emotional Reaction: I was very happy with the Daily housekeeping, who did an exceptional job!
Getting Around: Easy Breezy (Mostly).
The hotel offered Airport transfer, which I didn't use, but it's good to know it’s there. Free car park [on-site].
Things to Do (If You Can Tear Yourself Away From the Bed):
Of course, Gijón itself is a fantastic city. The beachfront is everything you'd expect, as is the area for walking and taking in the scenery. The hotel also offered a lot of information on the area.
In Conclusion: Worth the Hype?
La Casona de Jovellanos has its flaws (accessibility could be better), but it is a great hotel.
My overall impression is: 4.5 stars. It’s absolutely a charming hotel. I’d recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway and a truly Asturian experience.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to La Casona de Jovellanos in Gijón, Spain. Forget those sterile, perfectly-formatted itineraries. THIS is the real deal. This is going to be messy, opinionated, and possibly involve me crying (happy tears, hopefully).
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Glorious Overwhelm
- 10:00 AM (ish): Land in Asturias. Smelly airport, but hey, Spanish air! The flight was a nightmare. Tiny seats, screaming kids, and the guy next to me kept snoring like a foghorn. Honestly, by the time we touched down, I was already dreaming of a giant bowl of fabada. (Opinionated Rant - Air travel, ugh)
- 11:30 AM: Taxi from the airport. The driver was a character, muttering something about "tourists" and "traffic" in rapid Spanish. Tried to understand. Failed. Just smiled and nodded.
- 12:30 PM: Arrived at La Casona. Okay, breath. The building is insane! So impossibly gorgeous. This old stone, the stained glass, the way the light hits those ancient courtyards… (Emotional Reaction - Jaw on the floor) I almost cried. I'm a sucker for history. Just wandering the halls and hallways is a joy. The lobby had a lovely old chandelier, and the staff are super friendly and helpful. The room has a small balcony.
- 1:00 PM: Check into the room. Small hiccup. The key card. It never works. Had to go back to the front desk like four times. Starting to feel like a total idiot. But hey, the room is perfect! Classic decor, a big window (with a view!), and a bed that looks like it was made for a king…or at least, a very tired traveler.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at a little cafe near the hotel - Cafe L'Ablana. The food was alright. I had "fabada asturiana," their local bean and sausage stew. It's what I came for. I was expecting heaven. But the stew was a tad too salty, I think. Overrated perhaps? Meh.
- 3:30 PM: Wandering around the streets surrounding the hotel. The sun is amazing. I saw a dog. The dog was doing a poop. Not so amazing.
- 4:30 PM (ish): Attempt to nap. Failed. Jet lag is kicking my butt. Plus, the sounds from the street were just too loud. It sounds like the city is just waking up.
- 6:00 PM: Okay, I need caffeine. Desperately. Found a tiny coffee shop that smelled AMAZING. Ordered a double espresso. It was the fuel my soul needed. This tiny little place had the best coffee I ever tasted.
- 7:00 PM: The "pretend I'm cultured" stroll through the Jardines de la Reina. They're beautiful. Very green. Very well-manicured. Definitely a mandatory photo opportunity. But honestly? After the jet lag, I just wanted to collapse.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant the front desk recommended, El Pescador. Seafood. Seafood! Fresh. Delicious. Simple. I gorged myself on grilled octopus. No regrets. Except maybe the amount of garlic. My breath is a biohazard.
- 9:30 PM: Back to the hotel. More key card drama! This time, I just laughed. Exhausted laughter. Collapse into bed. Staring up at the ceiling. Trying to sleep. The walls are quiet. Finally.
Day 2: Embracing the Mess & Overdose on History
- 8:00 AM (ish): Woke up. Too early. Tried to go back to sleep. Failed. The light pouring through the window was simply too beautiful.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet was…well, it was a buffet. Lots of bread, some questionable-looking scrambled eggs, and a very aggressive coffee machine. But the view from breakfast was worth it. Totally.
- 10:00 AM: Time to tackle the Jovellanos Museum! This place is right off the hotel. I'm so excited for this one. I had a brief moment of total panic, thinking I’d walked into the wrong exhibit. (It happens). The museum itself is just a treasure trove. Jovellanos was a local hero, and learning about his life through all the paintings and rooms from the 18th century was awesome. This place is definitely worth it.
- 12:00 AM: Back to the hotel to see my room. I'm going to stay in the balcony for an hour and do nothing.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch - La Cocina de Manuela. The weather is great. Perfect day outside. Ordered "cachopo," a local specialty: a giant breaded, ham-and-cheese-stuffed steak. It was huge. And so incredibly delicious that I ate the whole thing. I'm not proud. But I also have no regrets.
- 2:30 PM: A little shopping. The stores are so cute. Found a little purse. The shop owner complimented me and said I was a "chica guapa." Made me smile for the rest of the day.
- 4:00 PM: Decided to go back to the museum just because the vibes are impeccable.
- 6:00 PM: A beer. A cold glass of beer at a bar on the beach. The sun is setting. There are people shouting. It's perfect chaos.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a tapas bar. Sidrería El Requexu. Ordered so many little plates of food I lost count. Every single one was a revelation. That, and the music, was enough to make me dance. This is the life.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the room. I don't know how to describe it. The room is beautiful. This hotel might be worth it, I don't care.
Day 3: The Beach, Regret, and a Final Glorious Feast
- 9:00 AM: Another bad night of sleep. I'm realizing that the lack of sleep is starting to affect my ability to function. I need to do something.
- 10:00 AM: Head to Playa de San Lorenzo. The beach is huge. The waves are rolling. And there are about a million people, including a group of screaming kids. It's a nice beach, but a little too crowded for my liking.
- 12:00 PM: Walked around the streets. Went into a church. It was peaceful for a while.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. I went to a place called La Galerna. It was okay. I had some fish.
- 3:00 PM: I went on a wine-tasting session. This was totally awesome. Tasting the wine was lovely.
- 5:00 PM: I should have packed more nice clothes. I've been wearing these jeans for three days straight.
- 6:00 PM: I went for a walk. I bought flowers.
- 8:00 PM: This is my last dinner. I went back to the tapas bar. Ate the same dishes. Just as good as the first time. This is going to cause withdrawals.
- 10:00 PM: Packing my bags. Getting ready to leave tomorrow. The hotel. I think that even I will miss this place.
Day 4: Departure – The Goodbyes & the Bitter Sweetness
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. So early. This is just wrong.
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. This place will be sorely missed.
- 9:00 AM: Check out of La Casona. The key card worked, finally! So happy.
- 10:00 AM: Quick last walk. Last look at the sea.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Flight.
- 2:00 PM (ish): I'm at the airport. The plane is delayed. I'm tired. I want to go home. I don't want to go home.
- 3:00 PM: The take-off. Goodbye to Gijón. Goodbye to La Casona de Jovellanos. Goodbye, Spanish food! Goodbye, sunshine! Goodbye.
And so, the chaotic, glorious, food-filled, history-obsessed, sleep-deprived adventure ends. It was messy. It was imperfect. It was real. And honestly? I can't wait to go back.
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