I stayed here for a couple of nights as part of a Christmas weekend away. Because of this the cost played a big role in where I chose to stay and the Vista Alegre is pretty cheap (I paid 96 euros for 2 nights).

The location of the hotel is pretty good - within walking distance of the very pretty 'Casco Viejo' (Old Quarter) and enough buses, trams, metros etc. all near by to travel into the city centre or visit the Guggenheim. Some people might find the surrounding neighbourhood a little intimidating (there is a small commercial centre over the road that has sex shops and some dodgy characters hanging around at night!) but I had no problems.

The hotel staff were all very helpful and I was given a useful map and recommendations on the best places to see and routes to take within 5 minutes of arriving (contrary to some reviews I'd read saying the staff were very unhelpful). The rooms are fine (bearing in mind it's a 2 star hotel) - small-ish but clean and with good heating. Although I had a front room I had no problems with noise. Overall, totally adequate for the cost and purpose.

Bilbao's hotels are a rather pricey lot when compared to those of other Spanish cities, and I see from other Trip Advisor reviews that many are located in no-go areas.

This hotel is in a residential neighbourhood surrounded by apartment blocks. A large supermarket with sandwiches and cold drinks is conveniently close by: so is an internet café and several small cafeterias and shops. Several city bus lines pass near it, and it's also close to a local rail station. The area seems safe, if unremarkable - you'll not want to walk to the Guggenheim from here.

My room was comfortable though not terribly well lit - one may want better lighting if attempting to catch up on some paperwork in the evening. Also, the hotel apparently has some sort of daft WiFi system I was never able to make work, despite never having trouble with my PC on other hotel WiFi links: the chap on the desk was well-intentioned but hadn't the foggiest notion how his WiFi system worked either.

Some noise from the street - the hotel is near a busy corner. Light sleepers take note! As you'll know if you've read other reviews of mine I always recommend ear plugs anyway.

There's no heating in the bath! I'd had the door closed overnight, so no heat from the room made it into the bath - when I went in the next morning it was C-O-L-D.

No lift either, not a major inconvenience though one can get tired of walking up and down stairs several times in one day. All in all I'd say this hotel is adequate value for money but not a bargain, and next time in Bilbao I'll probably give a nearby hotel belonging to one of the international budget chains a try.

I stayed at the Vista Alegre Hotel hotel for 4 nights. It is within walking distance to all the main attractions.

My main hangups where:
1. The bath is far too small - only the size of a childs bath
2. The price seems too expensive.
3. Breakfast is too expensive.
4. The price I was quoted did not include a 7% tax rate.
5. Some rooms have no windows.


However the TV rooms was good, and the staff spoke a reasonable amount of English.

I would not stay here again.