Stephen W
Google
Stayed here for one night. I had walked from the cable car at Fuente Dé up to Torre de los Horcados Rojos but had then baulked at the prospect of continuing to the Refugio near Picu Urriellu (although not technically difficult, the descent looked unpleasant). So I decided to retrace my steps and head for the Hotel Aliva, knowing that I would have to continue down to Espinama if it was fully booked. But it wasn't and I was offered a room, with breakfast, for 43 euros. The hotel is very clean and well presented but what makes it special is its stunning and peaceful location, 1600 m up in the Picos de Europa. [It can only be reached on foot (downhiill from the cable car or - much harder - uphill from Fuente Dé or Espinama) or (if you really, really must... but what's wrong with you?) by four-wheel drive vehicle.] Breakfast and dinner were both very good, with the latter not as expensive (given the remote location) as I might have feared. One extra bonus of my stay was the "Astronomy Workshop", consisting of a 2-hr illustrated lecture (in Spanish!) before dinner, followed by a 3-hr viewing through a telescope afterwards, finishing at 1.30 am. My appreciation of this unexpected event was greatly enhanced by the efforts of the two receptionists and the astronomer's girlfriend to translate for me.