Behind a stone-clad façade, carpeted corridors and inviting wood-beamed, rustic-style rooms make this 18th-century-home conversion the perfect classic Cantabrian posada (inn). It offers a friendly, good-value set-up in an excellent location, plus some of Santillana del Mar’s finest vistas.

Location

Beautifully positioned on a quiet cobbled lane in the heart of Cantabria’s most sensationally preserved medieval town, Santillana del Mar, with views across fields to the fine Romanesque Colegiata de Santa Juliana. It’s a handy base for exploring both Santillana del Mar and the prehistoric paintings of the famous Altamira cave (just south), as well Cantabria’s west coast, along which you’ll find top-notch beaches, the fishing port of San Vicente de la Barquera and Modernista architecture in Comillas.

Style & character

The Colegiata’s organist called this place home for 60 years and its strong 18th-century character has been tastefully restored for your comfort. Traditional glassed-in balconies cling to stone walls and, inside, it’s all in the delicate detail: creaking staircases, oak-beamed ceilings, fuzzy carpets and plenty of antiques, set against rich yellows, deep crimsons and royal blues.

Service & Facilities

This is a small but wonderful and efficient operation, with extra facilities (understandably) limited to a café-bar, a sunny terrace, private parking and warm shared lounges. The welcoming English-speaking owners make you feel right at home and are full of Cantabria tips and recommendations.

• Parking
• Wi-Fi

Rooms

Take your pick of the 14 snug, homely rooms, each individually and impeccably dressed up with earthy tones, dark-wood furniture and open-stone alcoves. Bathrooms are straightforward but sparkling. I’m a huge fan of the top-level slanted-ceiling rooms, whose wooden balconies open up to Santillana’s rooftops. Others gaze out on the Colegiata or spill out into glassed-in timber balconies with wicker lounge chairs.

Food & Drinks

Delicious semi-buffet breakfasts of fresh orange juice, Cantabrian cheeses, cold meats and other local treats are happily served by the owners in a cosy lounge with a communal buzz. In warm weather, sip your morning coffee on the sweet front terrace overlooking the Colegiata. A quick stroll down evocative cobblestone streets takes you to a number of typically Cantabrian restaurants.

Value for money

Double rooms from £46 in low season; rising to £72 in high. Breakfast excluded – priced at £4.50. Free Wi-Fi. Good value for super-popular Santillana.

Access for guests with disabilities?

No; the 18th-century layout and style of the hotel mean stair-access only.

Family-friendly?

Not especially, though children are welcome.

Calle Los Hornos 4, 39330 Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain.

00 34 942 84 03 52 casadelorganista.com

Thank you very much, Isabella. That’s more than we can say.

Any way, this is just a very modest inn in north Spain.

Enclosed, there is a link to a new from the local newspaper of Cantabria, El Diario Montañés, where Gaël Guichen, scientific director of the research program and conservation of the World Heritage Site Cueva shows his oppinion.

There is no doubt that scientists have not yet come up with an optimal solution, however there is no firm solution to the problem of the slow degradation of the prehistoric paintings that remained same for more than 20,000 years.

From our small hotel, La Casa del Organista, we want to encourage scientists to find a solution to the problem of the paintings preservation  by a good empirical way that characterizes these professionals.

Thank you very much for your effort and here is the link: News Mountaineer Journal of Cantabria of 02.16.2016

This tradition is already reflected in some of the oldest documents in the region, including in the cartulary of Santo Toribio de Liebana in the mid-tenth century the rich pastures of the Cantabrian mountains and valleys, the variety of cattle breeds , sheep and goats, and different processing methods provide different nuances to each cheese. A weekend dedicated to the tasting of some of the most renowned Cantabrian cheeses, allows us discover the flavors and landscapes that are formed around this rich product.

A weekend dedicated to the tasting of some of the most renowned Cantabrian cheeses, allows us discover the flavors and landscapes that are formed around this rich product. It is the best way to know all Cantabria through its cheeses.

From Santillana del Mar, setting up in a rural accommodation, now converted into a charming hotel, The inn La Casa del Organista, we can start our tour of this region of Cantabria and its different cheeses.

Source: “Cantabria through its cheeses”. Author: Journal of Gastronomy

The awards Travellers’ Choice have added value for establishments as are the users that their views and opinions , choose the winners . Cantabria has been one of the regions recognized in these awards organized by TripAdvisor , so that from this small rural hotel in Santillana del Mar ( Spain ) , we want to thank all those who came among us this award you have given us. Without you this would have not been possible . The best prize is knowing that you enjoied your stay in our Bed & Breakfast hotel and had the opportunity to count on your presence and company.

In the category of Best value and quality it is where we have been honored and proud of this recognition . We don’t want to create false expectations of our small boutique hotel with this post , because it is still a modest place to stop and enjoy a visit to the beautiful medieval village of Santillana del Mar and the surrounding region of Cantabria endearing .

We also congratulate the other Cantabrians lodging who have also been awarded in Tripadvisor for their good work and sense of hospitality to our guests.

It is our desire to continue working in this way and try to improve in all that we can to make our home a place where human relations with different regions , cultures and countries were the spirit that helps us go ahead.

Many thanks to all of you!, It would never have been possible without you.

The Team Posada La Casa del Organist .

Child and family workshops. Download the schedule of activities of the Altamira Museum and dive with your children in prehistory.

Visit to the exhibition “Times of Altamira” includes free or guided tours of the Neocueva

Altamira in self-guided tour LSE with sign language guides for the deaf. From Tuesday to Sunday

Guided tour with ILSE Saturday 14 December. For groups. Reservation.

Temporary exhibition cyclus R *. Inspired by Altamira. Art School # 1 of Cantabria

Walk LANDSCAPE Altamira For adults and over 12 Free with museum admission.

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th Session 12:00

Prehistory Workshops for all

For adults and children over 12 years. Free with museum admission.

Workshop A GREAT INVENTION: THE FIRE

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th, Sunday Sessions 8 and 11.15, 12.30, 13.30 h

Workshop PREHISTORIA SUSTAINABLE

Saturday 7th Session Sessions 16.30 pm Saturday 14th 11.15, 12.30, 13.30 h

Family

TERRITORY Museoteca BISON red

Friday 6th. Saturday and Sunday. Free with museum admission

HERE’S dentishtry Workshop, HERE’S CONCHEZ!

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th. Free with museum admission 11.30 h and 12.30 h Sessions

Phone: 942 81 80 05

At the Inn or Hotel Casa del Organista all the fathers, who is staying with us on the next 19th. March 2011, are going to be invited for breakfast like a little present for your dedication to your sons.

Congratulations! from the Organist Stuff.