Swish designer hotels include the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao Silken (Alameda de Mazarredo 61, 944 253 300, www.granhoteldominebilbao.com, €128-€278), overlooking the Guggenheim, and now featuring the cool DJ bar Splash & Crash. Both bar and hotel interior were designed by Javier Mariscal. The Hotel Miró (Alameda de Mazarredo 77, 946 611 880, www.mirohotelbilbao.com, €139-€181), designed by Antoni Miró, and Ricardo Legorreta’s Sheraton Bilbao (Lehendakari Leizaola 29, 944 280 000, www.sheraton.com, €96-€321) offer cool comfort nearby.

Of the chains, the Hespería Zubialde (Camino de la Ventosa 34, 944 008 100, www.hoteles-hesperia.es, €54-€214) is perfectly located for the San Mamés stadium. The charming Iturrienea Ostatua (C/Santa María 14, 944 161 500, €60-€66) has individually styled rooms. Nearby is the perfectly adequate Hostal Mardones (C/Jardines 4, 944 153 105, €35-€65).

[top]