The entrance to the hotel is beautiful and indeed the rooms are comfortable too. However we were disappointed on arrival to be told that the water would be switched off on our final morning at 6am. We questioned why: some kind of maintenance. I then asked about a discount but the receptionist seemed less than enthusiastic about even enquiring about this. We had breakfast only one day and the waiter was in fact surly. I spotted a hot breakfast menu and eventually knocked on the kitchen door to ask about it. Grumpily the waiter took my order - in fact the bacon and eggs and the tortilla francesa were tastey. We think that there were very few guests but surely we were all due a little more courtesy? We showered the night before planned departure - we´d been left with two bottles of water each. We were surprised that no bucket had been left wth the loo.
In fact...the loo did flush for both of us and while there was no hot water the tap was running cold. Heyho: why all the fuss? But still no discount for no hot showers in a four star hotel.
We have stayed here at least twice before and each time the service has been less than friendly. So - next time we will stay elsewhere. A pity

We ended up staying in Durango unexpectedly, and the lady at the tourism office booked our room for us. The hotel is very nice- it had free wi-fi and a computer to use in the lobby. We really enjoyed sitting outside on the patio with our cocktails. The garden was beautiful and even had a huge magnolia tree in full bloom, which was very unexpected. It is a quick walk to the city center, and there's great people watching. Overall, we were very impressed by the hotel.

Durango is a small industrial town near Bilbao. If youre fed up of Bilbao due to noise, traffic, or you just want a quieter stay try this hotel.
Staff speak perfect english.
Bar is well stocked with local wines.
The barman even wears a bowtie and dinner jacket!

Durango is a small Basque town where you are more likely hear Basque spoken than Castillian Spanish. On a nice evening its a pleasant walk around the town with a few drinks in the bars. Beware though: Durango is a small town, don't expect bright lights and parties!

Its a situatred in an old perhaps 18th or 19th Century town house, with safe and secure underground parking.

Its one of those hotels where you feel you should dress for dinner though no-one does.
Note the restaurant is closed on Sundat Evenings.
There is an italian restaurant only 10 minutes walk away in the centre of town.

The rooms are modern chain style with blackout curtains and roman blinds.
TV is flat screen but only Spanish channels..
All rooms are air-conditioned

Bathrooms are large and well equipped.

as of Oct 2010 current walk in rate is 85 Euro for a doube room with single occupancy

I have stayed in this hotel twice, it is a very peaceful hotel with excellent service - a hotel with character, has a beautiful lobby and all rooms are good size with all necessary facilities. well located for visiting durango and close enough to bilbao for easy access. Lives up to its name of being 'grand' unfortunately most sites seem to be using the wrong photograph of the building. definitely recommended.