Hotel itself may works, but it is very basic and is below average. Surrounding area is residential and doesn't seem to be too safe. Parking car in the street may be risky but there's a public parking just beside the hotel. Staff don't smile too much, they just do the essential to welcome you. Rooms are tiny and old and windows look in an internal court which isn't so nice to see. Breakfast isn't inviting: there are two choices, the cheap one which is too "industrial" or the bar one, which is served in the restaurant beside the hotel. Walking to the city center takes around 15 mins and the staff will guide you on the map in order to avoid the "unsafe" streets.

We booked this hotel because it was cheap and had a secure garage. Our double room was small but clean and had a small, wall-mounted flatscreen tv There was no air-con and no fan so we had to leave the window open a little at night for ventilation purposes. It was fairly quiet but a pair of ear-plugs is advisable if leaving the windows open. There was free wi-fi internet but the signal was strongest in the lobby and the breakfast area. We couldn't get it in our room on the 2nd floor. The hotel charged €9.50 a day for the use of the secure garage. Bringing the car in and out of the garage was a nightmare! The entrance was so narrow that I had to stand outside the car to guide my husband for fear that our car would scrape the walls.

Area-wise, there is a cafeteria beside the hotel and a small commercial centre opposite the hotel with some dubious shops as mentioned by other travellers. According to the hotel receptionist (who spoke English), the hotel is a 20-minute walk to the Guggenheim museum. On the whole, this hotel is okay for an overnight stay or for those on a budget. Definitely not for those with decreased mobility as it does not have a lift and you are expected to lug your bags up the flights of stairs yourself.

My wife and I have stayed in many hotels throughout europe, and I am generally pretty generous with the reviews on trip advisor. This hotel is based about 1-2k from the Guggenheim museum, so is pretty central, and with a secure parking garage underground (which is good) for 9.50e per day we decided to stay here.

My rating is based on the following:

The hotel and rooms are very old, and are in generally mid to low grade condition. Our first room we were given had a very nasty smell, and we had to ask for another. To be fair to the hotel they did get us another room quickly which did smell a lot better. Bathrooms were clean though in both rooms.

The location is right opposite 2 sex shops, so not a great area for anyone with a family. We didnt see a lot of trouble in the night times but we didnt come back too late. We did get quite a bit of noise from the road and general area outside in the room at night time.

Rooms are basic, with old beds and old decor. TV very small, and only spanish (which most in spain are), no other facilities in the room to speek of, no safe etc. There is wifi in the hotel which is free, which worked well, one definate plus point.

Service was good, no complaints here. Also the hotel was pretty cheap, at under 50 euro per night we weren´t expecting that much.

Breakfast was 5e pppd, but we didnt have this so no comment.

So to summarise, not a bad stopover for one night, or two at most if you can get it cheap enough. If you get one of the smelly rooms get it changed asap. We have stayed in lots of hotels in this price range and lots are better hence the poor rating given.

If you do come to Bilbao and want a decent and cheap lunch/dinner then the Fresco cafe is a good bet. Really nice salads, soup and pizza for 10e per person. Buffet.

I booked this hotel last minute. For the price I paid £36, I can not really complain however as always, you get what you pay for! The reception staff spoke no English whatsoever. The rooms are old, very dim and incredibly dusty / dirty. All of the bed linen was clean and the beds comfortable. The bathrooms are fairly spacious but have tiny baths. The television in the room has a little Ariel on the back so I was unable to pick any station with clear viewing. I did not try any of the food at this hotel. The location is very good and the secured underground parking a bonus.