I stayed here after staying at the fabulous Silken Domine a couple days previously. This is probably the reason I found my stay at Ercilla to be so very disappointing. The reason we chose the hotel over others was mainly on price and location, but also because it was advertised on the Expedia website under the spa category as having a Turkish bath/hamman.

In reality, we found grotty jacuzzi with a layer of dead flies floating on a filthy scum. The 'solarium' revealed itself to be a crappy balcony with balding Astro turf and the 'Turkish bath' a decrepit shower with seat. When we quizzed the receptionist about the 'spa' facilities, he simply shrugged.

I thought I'd cheer myself up at the lack of spa facilities by having a nice soak in a bath. Firstly, I had been given a room that only had a shower, so I went next door to use my friend's bath, only to discover the cleaners had failed to wipe away pubic hairs and the water drained away from the bath after 5mins due to the faulty plug. Grrrr!

This hotel is in dire need of a refurb. The room smelt of stale smoke and there were dodgy looking stains on the carpets.

If you need somewhere central to rest your weary head this is adequate. If you are looking for a bit of pampering in at a spa, this is totally inadequate.

Very good hotel for 70 euros per night excluding breakfast. No free wifi service. Clean and modern hotel

stayed for 4 nights 21st-24th Oct 2011.Excelent location.Great helpful staff.

Greatest thing about this hotel is its location, right in the city centre of beautiful Bilbao, just off a pedestrian area and around the corner from pintxo (basque for tapas) bars.
However, on the negative side, this hotel is still living off its heyday several decades ago, when Ercilla and Carlton Hotel were the main accomodation spots for actors, matadores, the glamorous, the rich and the famous. Those days are long gone and apart from the fancy lobby and reception area, the rest of the Hotel Ercilla is quite run down (just look at the stairs, on the right handside from lifts, their mat all ragged..)
Rooms are just average for a 4 star hotel. A relative stayed in a Junior Suite and there were unacceptable huge rust stains on the wall and carpet. He was told it was the best Junior Suite available at that moment.
Breakfast, pretty bland. Nothing to write home about.
Staff-wise, men at the reception were very kind and friendly, not so much the nice looking women. Same for restaurant staff: accomodating waiters, and snappy waitresses. Some attitude, really.
Overall, just average.
Just go for it if the price suits you, because location-wise, there are many other hotels in Bilbao bang in the middle of the city centre.
But, Bilbao... wow, what a fantastic city it is!!! ;D