Hotel Nature Oviedo ★★★★

History has it that Asturias is from where modern Spain emerged. It was the only part of Spain that was not conquered by the early Arabs, so to the Asturian, the rest of Spain is merely re-conquered land. Asturians are proud of their title and their land which mixes a bit of Celtic which was there before the Romans came along. And the proud capital is Oviedo, which is surprisingly modern yet also keeps its historic features from both previous eras, just half an hour away from Asturias’ mile after mile of beach.

The boutique Hotel Nature is situated in Oviedo’s centre and just a 10-15 minute walk away from the historic centre, just a few steps away from the sights of the city. Hotel Nature’s bright and airy reception with its twinkling lights and chic interior will lure you to its door whilst the friendly staff welcome you in and lead you to your elegant double room. The theme of green and nature runs throughout the hotel – it’s in the name—and this does not stop in your room. Reflecting the verdant nature of Asturias itself, the room is decorated in soft greens and whites with a large bed at the centre. The bathroom is literally sparkling with glass worktops metal sinks and marble flooring. Your room is a cocoon of modern fittings that accommodate, cosy and comfortable.

However, this modern building that springs up in the centre of town like a tall standing tree, and more to offer than just comfortable rooms and an excellent location. Enjoy your buffet breakfasts of a morning in the salon which is flooded with the natural sunlight Spain boasts for so many glorious hours a day. Choose from the plentiful buffet to kick-start your day before you venture out into this fervently Spanish world, surrounded by the smells of Asturian food, the playful noises in the streets and the colourful decoration about the city. The salon is decorated in neutral tones and given an Asturian flavour by the landscape paintings around the room reflecting the local culture.

The Hotel Nature is there for you at the beginning of your day and at the end of your day, when you return tired and weary yet satisfied from your day’s adventures, this is when the wellness centre welcomes and comforts you back into the Hotel Nature. Be greeted by its list of serene treatments and massage treatments, perfect after a long day in the city.

“Ser español es un orgullo”, they say, “ser asturiano es un título”. 'If being Spanish is a matter of pride, to be Asturian is a title', or so claim the locals! So it’s off to Asturias, once you’ve become familiar with the culture, tasted the food, listened to the music, seen the heart of its capital and maybe even speak a little of the language, you can claim your title!