Bilbao Accomodations
 

Hi Everyone,

My two sisters and I are travelling to Bilbao for 4 days sometime in the last two weeks of September. We were thinking of renting an apartment or staying at an affordable hotel, our budget is EUR150/night does anyone have any suggestions.

We won't have a car and will be flying in from Barcelona, what area do you suggest we stay?

Thanks everyone!

Read through the reviews on www.booking.com. At least the reviewers have booked and stayed at the hotel before they can review , unlike some websites.

I would recommend to stay fairly close to the Nervión river and the Guggenheim museum, then you would be in close reaach of most things that vibrant Bilbao has to offer.
I've used to stay in the Casco viejo/Old town with great atmosphere and all the pintxos bars you ever could wish for. On the city center side of the river, across the Arenal bridge, you find more of the luxcuriuos hotels. Some suggestions:

Center/Guggenheim area:
Hotel Carlton: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/occi...52ef0215883X4#

Hespería Bilbao: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hesp...4be40f3ac58544

Casco Viejo/Old town:
Arriaga suites: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/occi...52ef0215883X4#

Iturrienea Ostatua: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/itur...4be40f3ac58544

Take a look at Mikel's suggestions for the area, he's a local and has some great tips ("mikelg" on this forum):
http://mugalari.wordpress.com/tag/bilbao/

"Some Places I Like As a Local In Bilbao-and where you probably wouldn´t go if not told": http://mugalari.wordpress.com/2010/0...ably-never-go/

And remember to take a day-trip fo plain fantastic San Sebastián, just some 70 mins away by direct bus. One of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the culinary capital of Spain, if not all of the continent. In late September (16th to 24th) the city is celebrating the 59th edition of the international film festival.

You should take a trip to sample the world famous pintxos, either at lunch-time or at night. You can't do much wrong in the small Parte vieja/Old town. Any place serving less than excellent food will be out of business in two weeks. Have a walk along the beautiful La Concha promenade, and in late September you can still have a swim in one of the three city beaches, some of the finest in Europe.

About going for pintxos in San Sebastián:
http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

I have stayed at Jardines de Albia several times. (usually 60E/night) I would also consider the Lopez de Haro hotel if their price was competitive. Both hotels can be reached easily by foot from the Guggenheim, which is one of the stops on the airport bus into town.

Thanks everyone, we will probably be there Thursday - Sat leaving Sunday we were thinking if it was better to stay in St Sebastian and then take a day to Bilbao rather than the other way around. Any thoughts for St Sebastian hotels?

Dont's skip Bilbao, but Belle Epoque San Sebastián would be an excellent option.

You could stay at old world Hotel Londres or close by Niza, right on the La Concha beach promenade. Just in the city center and five minutes walking to the Parte Vieja/Old town with the greatest concentration of the famous pintxos bars in food-crazy San Sebastián.
Londres: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/lond...aterra.en.html
Niza: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/niza.en.html

A great value alternative would be Pension Alemana, just behind Londres and Niza and 50 meters from the beach. Basic hotel standard and fabulous location: http://www.hostalalemana.com/ingles/

Villa Soro would be a luxcury option a little out of the city center (15 mins walking, San Sebastián is small and very walkable). Nevertheless, close to the more local feel Gros district where you find many of the best pintxos bars. Also close to Arzak, rated among the ten best restaurants in the world for some twenty years (Arzak would nevertheless have to compete with three other restaurants to be the best in and around San Sebastián).
Villa Soro: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/villasoro.en.html

55 hotels in San Sebastián with guest reviews:
http://www.booking.com/city/es/san-sebastian.en.html

Lots of nice small villages along the scenic coastline towards Bilbao. Had the meal of my life in one of the restaurants in the harbour of close by Getaria in 1996. Something like this:
http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

Going for pintxos in San Sebastián can easily be an affordable gourmet experience. Remember to ask for the warm house specialities who are made on order and prepared on the spot (some 2-3€ pr. pintxo). Have the dry and slightly sparkling local txakolí wine with the pintxos, and be sure to round off every? meal with the local and equally popular Pacharán liquor.

About San Sebastián in New York Times:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/18...l/18hours.html

Thank you Kimhe. We are just deciding on which town to use as a base Bilbao or San Sebastian.

If you push me, a next to crystal clear vote for San Sebastián... But, because of the film festival, you have to make hotel reservations as soon as possible if you are visisting between September 16. and 24.

Lots of great Pensions/Hostals in town close to hotel standard (ensuite bathrooms etc). Usually smaller and family-owned places.

Some suggestions:
Bahía: http://www.hostalbahia.com/
Bellas Artes: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Country.html
Urkia: http://www.pensionurkia.com/
Donostiarra: http://www.pensiondonostiarra.com/
Alameda: http://www.pensionalameda.com/
Pensión Edorta: http://www.pensionedorta.com/

I've stayed in most of these places, and several similar, during more than twenty years visiting San Sebastián. Rooms can be smaller than at the usual hotel, but generally more personalized service and atmosphere and great value.