In Gijon we had a one-night stay on our way to the mountains, and then a week-long stay near the beach.

ARTIEM Asturias

ARTIEM was a good stopping point after a morning of travel, located on the rural edges of the city. Our check-in lady was friendly and gave us a quick overview & tour of services including a small theater plus the spa and gym. The gym was included and had lots of machines and weights. For an extra fee there was a trainer on staff and spa access (22€ so we skipped it).

Nice products in the bathroom but we didn’t love the sliding glass door, we both almost walked into it, and it didn’t provide cover if the front door was opened. At least the second door to the toilet was partially frosted.

The hotel grounds were nice, including a large sunny lounge area with bar service, and peaceful rural views. Parking was plentiful and free, and the restaurant was quite good. This hotel seems like a nice spot for bicyclists to base themselves.

Apt.1 beachfront S.Lorenzo

We booked Mario’s place as a last-minute replacement after our original booking was cancelled three days before check-in. Thankfully, it worked out great. The owner was friendly on arrival and helpful via text for a restaurant reservation and general check ins.

The location is great, directly across from the main beach, making it so easy to go back and forth throughout the day. We learned to use the living room balcony’s partial view to check the tide before heading down, as most of the beach is under water at high tide. It is also a 10-15 minute walk to the center for restaurants, groceries, etc.

​Inside, the apartment is homey and has tons of personality, and we especially liked the art. This is not a stale, empty AirBNB! The bed was comfortable, and the bedroom was quiet and dark, so we slept great (and really appreciated having power outlets on both nightstands). While the kitchen is a one-person space with a tiny sink, it is incredibly well-stocked. The washing machine worked perfectly, and combined with a large drying rack and fan we had no problems getting our laundry completed. Finally, the building itself was clean and quiet with a fast elevator. Highly recommend staying here for a trip to Gijón!

   
views from our apartment balcony – looking left; looking right