The Hotel

The discreet  Cares-Deva summits, where Asturias becomes Cantabria, hide villages, as prim as Alevia, in which hotels with character form part of the landcape. La casona d´Alevia was Lupes´farthers´home. Exposed on a wall in the hall are all the utensils used for the artisanship trade which he used when he was young. This casona(big house in Asturian) which belong to the association of Asturian Casonas, has been turned into a welcoming hotel, by Lupe, Gregorio and their daughters, which we wish to return to from time to time. Because we are a step away from Cabrales, and another step away from the Picos de Europa and the same distance away from San Vicente de la Barquera, which are three good reasons for returning often.

The stone house has balconies, and a patio in which the shade and loving care allow enormous hortensias to grow. The hospitable rooms suit the view we have from the windows, all the fabrics and furniture in natural tones. Prairie greens, autumn oak browns, earth colours. In the mornings, two heavenly sounds, of thousand cowbells in the distance, well let’s say of hundreds as now days the EU punishes Asturian milk, and the sound of the plates whilst Gregorio prepares breakfast. And like a divine alarm the smell of freshly brewed coffee coming up the stairs and through the door. We have returned to Alevia and must not spend the morning under the sheets. Or maybe, as Gregorio does not mind serving late breakfast. There will be time for some rabas (squid) in San Vicente de la Barquera for dinner, a walk in the afternoon on the Cares. To go up to the Picos de Europa….another day.