emma_masso

Hey!
Quick question regarding Bilbao/ San Sebastian! We are finding it difficult to find cheap accommodation in San Seb (hostels etc.) from the 8/7 to 12/7. I gather this is as most people will do running with the bulls than head to san seb (like we are!) Firstly, does anyone know of a hostel or some cheaper accommodation that might be a hidden secret that wouldn't be on the internet? And if we decided to stay in Bilbao instead, is a day drive to San Seb a realistic idea? We will have hire cars so transport is not an issue.

Thanks

kimhe

emma_masso

Would strongly recommend to stay in San Sebastián, the best city on the planet. I've been here some ten times around Sanfermines, and it's unbeatable.

Here are some Hostal ideas in the middle of everything. Small, affordable and often family-run hotels, with ensuite bathroom etc.
http://www.hostalbahia.com/
http://www.pensionlaconcha.net/portada.htm
http://www.pensioneaso.com/inicio.php
http://www.hostalalemana.com/
http://www.pensionurkia.com/
http://www.pensiondonostiarra.com/

All these are in the center of town, close to the La Concha beach and five minutes walking to the fabulous Parte vieja/Old town with one of the highest concentration of bars and restaurants in Europe. Fantastic food (pintxos) on every corner. People walk from bar to bar and have a pintxo for a couple of € and a glass at each place.

Here are a couple of suggestions in the Old Town. Can be very noisy, but I've stayed in these places lots of times and used to be very happy.
http://www.pensionedorta.com/
http://www.pensionalameda.com/
http://www.pensionlarrea.com/presentacion_i.htm
http://www.infobide.com/pensionsanlorenzo/
http://www.pensiongranbahia2.com/

Car parking in San Sebastián is very expensive, some 15-20€/day (several underground parking houses). But you can park your car for free at one of the car parks off Avenida de Tolosa close to the University (west of the city centre) and get the 5 or 25 Bus service into the city center in 5-10 minutes. No need for a car in San Sebastián, a very walkable city.

About going for pintxos (remember to ask for the warm house specialities right from the kitchen): http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

cova

Curious, the Hotel de la Emperatriz is now part of the group Aisia. They have a few hotels cum spa in the Basque Country and surroundings. I haven´t been to the hotel but have friends who have been there, and it seems to me, by their opinions, that it was better years ago than right now.

Anyway, this is the site for the hotel, I think it is only in spanish, but you can check the availability by clicking in RESERVAS

http://www.aisiahoteles.com/zita.asp

Bye, Cova

CathyM

In Lekeition I prefer the Hotel Zubieta or the newly opened Hotel Oxangoiti. The Hotel Zubieta is a 5 minute walk to the main town and is a beautiful hotel in a nice setting. The Hotel Oxangoiti is smach in the middle of town almost on the main square.. Parking may be more challenging at the Hotel Oxangoiti but is plentiful and easy at the Hotel Zubieta.

You can't beat either of these choices.

Be sure to visit Gernika and the forest of Oma while you're in this area.


http://www.hotelzubieta.com/

http://www.oxangoiti.net/

yorkshire

Hi kimhe,
Of those hotels you listed in the Parte Vieja, are there some you would say are less noisy than others? I prefer old family run small places, but of course noise is a big factor. I am also looking at the other list you posted, so thank you very much! I need a budget places so I can spend all of my money on food, so having personal recommendations is really appreciated!

yorkshire

Actually, nevermind--I have found a few places from the first list that look promising.

CathyM

I stayed at the Hotel Oxangoiti only once - during the week in late September. So noise was not an issue. However, it may be a little noisier on the weekends. But Lekeitio is a small village and not noisy like Madrid or Barcelona....

I've stayed at the Hotel Zubieta and it's very quiet. It's on the edge of town (5 minute walk to center).

Both of these places are small, family run type places.

kimhe

yorkshire,

Good luck, either way you are most likely up for some momorable San Sebastián days!

Great value three course lunches in many restaurants, some 12-25€ including wine/beer or whatever. You should also explore the Gros area on the other side of the Urumea river, 5-10 mins walking from the Parte vieja/Old town. Many of the local's favourite pintxos bars are located in this area. For example traditional Bodega Donostiarra, quite innovative Ramuntxo Berri, Garbola, El Lagar and legendary Bar Bergara.

Donostiarra: http://www.bodegadonostiarra.com/

Ramuntxo Berri: http://www.todopintxos.com/bares/bar...1&do=vista_bar

Garbola (perhaps try the shark pintxo?): http://www.todopintxos.com/bares/bar...3&do=vista_bar

El Lagar: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Country.html

Bar Bergara (the owner, Patxi Bergara, started the Basque food revolution back in the 80's together with, among others, world famous chef Juan Mari Arzak, owner of close by Restaurante Arzak, top ten in the world for some twenty years: http://www.pinchosbergara.com/

Curiousaboutit

Thank you Cova for the site. I did not remember that the hotel was absorbed into that chain. We had a reservations for Hotel Oxangoiti and in early November cancelled it since we are not spa people and my husband saw that the Metrokua was on the sea..run down looking as it seems, he thought it would be just right. Our plan is just sleep there, enjoy breakfast (which is included) and meander about. We see that it is 1/3 mile from city center, he sees no problem with the distance to go to restaurants.

Revulgo2

<< my love for the off the beaten path. My husband and i such lovers of the unique… >>
One of the most important private collections in the world of Rolls Royce
http://www.enkartur.net/recurso-engl...aldames-7.html

Read the list of the collected fleet:
http://www.torreloizaga.com/

yorkshire

Thanks again for the tips--I may even stay over in Gros.

Curiousaboutit

WOW Revulgo2, my husband's favorite pastime is CARS...racing, antique cars, auctions, and all.
We even enjoyed the owner's day at LeMans and spent 5 hours with each and every car and driver....touching, chatting with them about the new restrictions and weights, serious discussions about construction..laughing all the way to our next destination. What we "fell into" turned out to be far more "up close and personal" than if we had paid to be in the area special for "up close" since those guests do not to really get close. He was tickled!
I just sent the link to my husband and I know he will drool. Thank you, it will be fun.

mikelg

curious, thank you for taking a look at my blog, there´s some info too about the greatest museum in the world for cars...and absolutely UNKNOWN...About your stay in Lekeitio, it´s about a 15´ walk to a beautiful, unspoilt town, no tourist traps, no mass tourism, real life, Basque spoken everywhere, locals,...a gem.

Curiousaboutit

Mikelg..we are all about unique. We have been together for 36 years and only in our 30th year 2005 did my sweet loving husband have NO choice to get it together to go to France for the first time. (My clinical practice and his studio work prevented us from traveling.) The moment we return, one month later did he say "book our next trip, and it began .. NOW. We have had the unabashed pleasure, a month each time, each year since; France and Italy to the "off the beaten path" indulgence.
Your blog has add such depth to our otherwise unknown directions..thank you.
We have asked Fodorites for a great deal of support and the resulting pleasures are immeasurable.
We are so willing to hear all the suggestions, synthesize them and tweak them to fit us and wow a fantastic memory is forever.
We would like to learn more from you.

You said 15 feet to a beautiful walk..yes yes..do tell.

mikelg

I meant 15 minutes...the beach of Karraspio (I spent my teen years there...) is about 15 minutes away from Lekeitio, on a very nice walk to town. In low tide you´ll be able to shorten this path by crossing the river to the Isuntza beach and then straight to town. Green mountains, farmhouses, fishing boats, a great church, excellent food, an island in the middle of the small bay, a walk up the hill following the 12 crosses of the calvary, and no tourists almost, what else could you ask for? Also, not far from Gernika, the martyr town, where you can visit the sacred oak of Basques, where we still meet to discuss matters of the province, in one of the oldest Parliaments in the world,the Museum of Peace, the castle of Arteaga, the Unesco Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai (River of Boars, in Basque), the cozy fishing town of Mundaka, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (in my blog)...a whole undiscovered world to savour...

mikelg

The weather is so nice today that I think I´m going to Lekeitio, my own description is alluring me into it!!!

mikelg

The weather is so nice today that I think I´m going to Lekeitio, my own description is alluring me into it!!!

kimhe

Have a great Lekeitio day!

Curiousaboutit

Mikelg..I just read the walk we shall take and I too am ready to be there.
The part about walking at low tide is most intriguing since one can see the hidden jewels.
I know no one is pleased with our hotel choice yet we plan on not luxuriate there only use it as a place holder. If it truly is a grungy hotel (Hotel Metrokua), Mikelg please tell me and we will move.
It would be fun if we could meet....are you going to be available for a drink and stuff while we are in your neighborhood? Our itinerary dates are listed above.

How was your Lekeitio experience? My husband and I are looking forward to the Sea. Hope to see you.

cova

Curious, if by any chance you want to meet in Madrid, just tell me.
I should be available on saturday and sunday (going to see Sasha Waltz on friday), so it should be fine with me.

Bye, Cova