San Sebastian
 

Staying in San Sebastian for 3 days in the middle of August, have a car.
Thinking of staying here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Country.html

Maybe some beach time? Go to town? day trip to Bilbao?

Any advise on the location of the hotel (considering free parking)?
What should we do while there for 3 days?

The hotel isn't in the best location for being in San Sebastián-Donostia. It's actually not in the city, which makes walking around and beach time difficult.

AS Robert says, it's a couple of kilometers out of the city itself. But it is in an absolute fabulous location up on Monte Igueldo. Tranquile and with spectacular views of the coast. Five mins driving to the center of town, frequent buses and taxi some 10-15€. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/leku-eder.html

Staying up here could be a good idea given that San Sebastián celebrates its Aste Nagusia/Semana Grande/Big week August 9-16. Excellent time to be in town, but I also think you will appreciate the possibility of going up to Monte Igueldo for the peace and quiet at Leku Eder. http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/agenda.../x65-12375/en/
http://www.hlondres.com/en/concierge...-san-sebastian

You are just a few minutes walking away from three Michelin star Akelarre. Spectacular food and spectacular views. Had the lunch of a lifetime up here a few months ago. If you're interested, book as soon as possble:
http://www.akelarre.net/public_home/...me.php?lang=en
http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/06/04...san-sebastian/

<What should we do while there for 3 days?>

The city will be full of concerts and all kinds of local sports and cultural events during Aste Nagusia in mid August. One of the more spectacular events will be the 20 miles swimming race along the rough coast from Getaria a little west to San Sebastián.

And you probably know that San Sebastián is the food capital of Spain if not all of Europe. Here's all about going for the famous pintxos with suggested routes etc. http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe": http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...rink.shopping2

San Sebastián has also got some of the finest city beaches on the continent. The beaches and the mild summer climate has made San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) a favourite among especially Spanish and French elites for the last 150 years or so.
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...o-to-the-beach

Thanks guys, this is VERY HELPFUL.

What you should do? Eat!
Miramón Arbelaitz
Arzak
Akelarre
Mugaritz.
That is ... if you can still get a table for August.

Eat! Yes! In San Sebastian you will eat well! The list above is great for top flight dining - I have not been for a couple of years but we enjoyed Zeruko, Astelana and A Fuego Negro for pinxtos. We also had a very good dinner at ni neu.
I would also suggest a day trip to Bilbao - we loved seeing the museum and the drive there is pretty.

Astoria 7 is a decent hotel. I stayed there last May 15 minute walk to the beach and old town.

All the pintxos bars mentioned above in the Parte Vieja plus Bar Goiz for gambas, La Vina for cheesecake, Bar Nestor for fantastic "chuleton" - incredible steak rib, Bar Hidalgo is a 10 minute walk across the river to the area called Gros. The chef at Hidalgo worked in a Michelin starred restaurant and now produces wonderful affordable pintos and meals plus it has a truly wonderful selection of spanish wines

Enjoy - San Se is a jewel