Bilbao is a city that changed overnight with the opening of a museum. It is probably why you are on this page reading these words. The Guggenheim threw open its doors in 1997 to wild acclaim. It stands on land that was once part of an industrial port. Not that you you’d ever guess. An epic refurbishment of the riverside here has transformed this lovely city, and these days the Nervión sweeps by serenely with attractive pedestrianised avenues hugging each bank. Elsewhere, Philippe Starck crowned a new cultural centre with a glamorous rooftop swimming pool. Bilbao was a city reborn.
Hotels mushroomed as a result. Miró, a design hotel conceived by Antonio Miró, was clever enough to bag itself a prime spot 300m upstream from the museum. It is just as close to the fantastic Museo de Bellas Artes, which means this cool little hotel is a great base for cultural exploration. Inside, its chic décor and 50 attractive bedrooms are heaped with comfort and style. There’s an open-plan sitting room with the daily papers, and if all that walking wears out your feet, you can get a massage on your return. As for other delightful distractions, don’t miss the Old Town and its pintxos (Basque tapas) bars or the lovely beach at Getxo.
Highs
- Great staff - friendly and helpful
- We liked the round-the-clock honesty bar and helpful room service
- Stylish rooms are decked out in minimalist black, white and pastel hues, and the black marble bathrooms are utterly gorgeous
- Perfect for design buffs, and popular with couples
- Whatever you think of the art inside it, the Guggenheim is a mighty sight
Lows
- The hotel has a very corporate feel to it, although the stylish
design totally makes up for it
- Breakfast is very expensive
- No other meals are served (except via room service), but there are fabulous restaurants an easy stroll away
- Rooms aren’t overly large
Best time to go
Bilbao is a year-round destination, a big city where there’s always something interesting going on. The Guggenheim is closed on Mondays, worth factoring into your visit. The fiesta runs for a week from 15 August; expect the streets to be busy with people partying through the night.
Our top tips
If you're interested in football, here's a story about Athletic Bilbao (not Atlético, note). Football arrived via shipbuilders and steel workers from Britain, and from Basque students returning home after studying in England. The English spelling of their name neatly served to differentiate the club from Spanish teams. When Franco was in power he insisted they add the ‘o’. When he died, it was struck off immediately. The Club is owned by its fans and only Basque nationals can play in it. They play in red and white because a student returning home from England was charged with the task of bringing back a kit for the new team. Having failed in London, he headed to Southampton to catch his boat. In desperation he tried the football club, which sold him 50 full strips. The rest is history.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Excellent location. Well designed room. Very good service.
The Miro is beautifully located a stones throw from the both the Guggenheim and the Museum of Fine Art. Contemporary, clean and comfortable. With a stylish honesty bar and seating area. The hotel staff were very charming and helpful. Although they did not have their own carpark the public one across the road proved to be very convenient. I could certainly recommend this hotel.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape