Barceló Bilbao Nervión, Bilbao

Pros

• The hotel's location is prime, right in the city center between two bridges and along the riverfront with its bike and walking paths.
• The rooms are simple but come with modern and comfortable furnishings and design—and the bathrooms are notably big.
• You can enjoy a few gastronomic offers at the hotel, including a breakfast buffet, a cafeteria/bar, and the Ibaizabal Restaurant, perfect for trying the Basque region's famed pintxos.
• Families will appreciate the rooms with three beds, and others might want to book one of the suites, which have huge windows overlooking the river and city.

Cons

• The rooms feel a little simple for a four-star hotel but are still very comfortable and modern.
• Some of the rooms have a bathroom sink in the sleeping area, so you might need to book a higher-tiered room if you prefer more separation and privacy.

Authenticity

Barceló Bilbao Nervión Hotel strives to combine design, technology, art, nature, modernity, and sustainability. But its standout authentic feature is surely its restaurant, which offers traditional Basque cuisine, including typical pintxos. 

Location

You'll stay in the center of the city, almost equidistant from the Zubizuri and Udaletxeko bridges and just a 15-minute walk from the famous Guggenheim Museum. It has a great location on the river, where you have easy access to the city's biking and walking trails and plenty of eateries and shops. The overall feel is very laid-back. Bilbao's cathedral in its Old Town is 13 minutes on foot, and Etxebarria Park is less than 10 minutes away.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The rooms at Barceló Bilbao Nervión are designed under the B-Room classification, providing a comfortable and modern space. The suites offer exclusive amenities and stunning views of the Nervión River, the city's estuary, and the city center. All have amenities such as free WiFi, air-conditioning, and tea and coffee facilities, and the bathrooms are bigger than most hotels in the area. Just note that some of the standard rooms feel a bit cramped, with the sinks in the sleeping areas. 

Other Highlights

Though you'll be near plenty of Bilbao's famed eateries, you can always grab a meal or two at the hotel with its numerous gastronomic offers. There's a breakfast buffet in the morning, a cafeteria/bar for the afternoons, and the Ibaizabal Restaurant for an evening of pintxos. Additional facilities and services include a gym, parking (with charge), meeting rooms, and a lounge.