Spirit Apartamentos Atxuri

The center and shops are close, which is good, but the service was slow and my arrival was confusing. I was surprised by the unusual reception setup. Some parts of the room/apartment could have been cleaner. It was okay for one night, but at 150eur/night the quality didn't match the price. At a lower rate, it would've been understandable. I didn't get what I expected. There was no air conditioning, and although there was a washing machine, I couldn't see how to dry things when the humidity is high. It also seems odd to skimp on shampoo at this price. Small touches like shampoo, tea, coffee, and cleaner furniture can make guests happy. Something to think about.

Esther, the Director, made the stay memorable with her warmth and hospitality. Asier, the barman at the sister hotel next door, was exceptionally friendly and attentive, and we enjoyed the bar food there too. The apartment itself was spacious, excellent, and had everything we needed, including a dishwasher and washing machine. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and we appreciated that pets were welcome. With its fantastic location and genuine hospitality, Apartamentos Atxuri made a perfect base in Bilbao. We'd happily recommend it and look forward to returning.

The staff were friendly, but the rest of the place made little sense to me. It's old, has no AC, and is far from the city. We had a sleepless night because the window faced a street with noisy cars and bright lights, so we couldn't open it. There were no curtains or fans, and not even a toaster.

The flat is up a hill and outside the center, but you can still walk into town, and parking at the nearby Gran Hotel Bilbao is a handy €16 a day. Inside, it’s roomy, very clean, and has a lovely river view, with space to cook instead of being stuck in a cramped hotel room. The fridge didn’t work, and there was some noise from young kids across the hall, though reception dealt with that well.