Hotel Silken Palacio Uribarren

Those sea view rooms are hard to beat. The hotel sits between the harbor, Jasokundeko Andra Mari Eliza (the big church), and Emperatiz Zita Parkea (a park with plenty of benches for looking out at the ocean), and the views are amazing. The beds were really comfortable, and everyone was friendly and helpful. We appreciated the dental kit and especially the shaving kit. The air conditioning was so quiet we thought it wasn’t running, until we woke up freezing in the middle of the night. They also have La Salve beer on tap, a local craft brewer from Bilbo, which made it easy to choose local. I don’t agree that the rooms need a refresh. The hardwood floors are lovely. A few area rugs could use a deep clean or replacement, but otherwise the rooms are great. We’ll definitely stay longer next time.

The staff were pleasant, the location was good, and the bed was comfortable. The room itself, though, was basic and dirty, with a view of the parking lot. For a three-star place with old infrastructure that badly needs renovation, €220 a night felt appalling for the quality. Parking was another €20 a night and breakfast cost €17 per person. I wouldn’t recommend staying here for more than €120 a night. The price and room decor were the biggest disappointments.

The staff were kind and efficient, and the hotel was clean and well maintained. Still, a few things really brought the stay down. The pool was closed during our visit, and nobody told us when we booked. Laundry cost an exorbitant amount, more than at any other hotel I’ve stayed in. Save yourself a hundred euros on a small bag of washing and have it done elsewhere in town. Management also reserves kettles and coffee or tea makers for the more expensive ocean view and balcony rooms. The cheaper rooms have none, even though people need and expect those basics.

We had a clean, very spacious room with a lovely view across the beach, bay, and harbour. The service was friendly, and it was lovely sleeping with the window open and hearing the sea. The third floor windows are small, though. The hotel’s parking area is expensive, there was no water cooker in the room, and the shower had no hot water in the evening. It was working again by morning. One tip: skip crowded San Juan Gaztelugatxeko further down the coast and, at low tide, walk out to the island in front of this hotel. It’s beautiful.