Avilés' first 'Gran Lujo' five-star hotel to open in summer 2027 with suites up to 450 euros per night

Avilés will have its first 'Gran Lujo' five-star hotel in summer 2027, with 21 rooms and 12 suites.

The project involves the rehabilitation of the Josefina Balsera palace, which will combine historical elements with modern luxury.

With an average price of 260-270 euros per night, the hotel will target international tourism and business clients.

Avilés will have its first 'Gran Lujo' five-star hotel in summer 2027. This is the forecast with which Fernando Artime, the hotelier leading the project, is working to convert the Josefina Balsera palace, on the corner of La Cámara and Cuba street, into an exclusive accommodation, the second in the region to have this category. If the renovation works, which after a year of work are around 40% complete, continue at this pace, the entrepreneur plans to open the reservation period in March. The average price per room is estimated at between 260 and 270 euros per night, and the establishment is expected to have a staff of between 15 and 20 workers, between the hotel and the restaurant.

A PALACE REHABILITATED WITH HISTORICAL RESPECT

The rehabilitation is particularly complex due to the building's characteristics and the requirements of Heritage. The work on the roof, with sixteen different pitches and a four-slope dome, has become one of the greatest technical challenges. "It's the most complicated roof I've ever done," admits Fernando Artime. The hotel will have 21 rooms, of which twelve will be suites, distributed mainly between the first and second floors. Some will incorporate the historic galleries of the mansion, integrating them into the room itself. Other unique spaces will be maintained, such as the old main hall, several original columns, a sculpture and a secondary staircase. The grand protagonist, however, will be the monumental staircase, undergoing comprehensive restoration and conceived as one of the main hallmarks of the future hotel. "It's the most beautiful thing in the palace," says Artime.

POSITIONING AVILÉS AS A LUXURY DESTINATION

The objective is to officially achieve the 'Gran Lujo' five-star category, for which the project already has, according to the property, a favourable report from Tourism. This classification requires meeting a series of requirements and achieving a minimum score in services, equipment and characteristics. The property believes there is a niche market in Asturias for this type of accommodation. The business plan seeks to attract international tourists, with typical stays of three or four days, and combine this demand with the business client. The challenge will not only be to sell the hotel, but also the destination. "We have to promote the hotel well and we have to promote Avilés," states Artime. The establishment's ADR (Average Daily Rate) is between 260 and 270 euros for the whole year. In the low season, the price will be around 220 euros per night, while at times of highest demand, rates could reach 450 euros. The occupancy forecast is between 60% and 70% annually.

For InasTour, the arrival of a 'Gran Lujo' hotel in Avilés is a clear indicator of the growing appeal of Asturias as a luxury destination. This type of project not only raises the profile of the region, but also attracts a high-spending international clientele that could become interested in acquiring property, reinforcing the value of the region's residential market.

The challenge will not only be to sell the hotel, but also the destination. "We have to promote the hotel well and we have to promote Avilés."

The future 'Gran Lujo' hotel in Avilés represents a milestone in the development of the city and the region. The rehabilitation of the Josefina Balsera palace is an example of how historical heritage can be transformed into a driver of economic and tourist development. This project positions Avilés on the map of luxury tourism and reinforces the image of Asturias as a destination capable of offering unique experiences to the most demanding visitors.