Hospedium Hotel Sky Blu Sondika

The hotel was fairly clean and had plenty of space, though the layout feels old-fashioned. The breakfast buffet was basic but fair for the €6 we paid, with bread, yogurt, ham, cheese and fruit. Rates were very reasonable, but the location is well outside the city, with nothing nearby and no places to eat within walking distance. We drove a few minutes to nearby towns for taverns and bars. To reach Bilbao, you can walk 15 minutes to Sondika for a train that takes 15 minutes, though trains only come every 20-30 minutes. I think there’s a bus too.

The train station is right across the road, and the buffet was great. Everything was very clean, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Fantastic service.

We left after just five minutes because the hotel was such a disappointment. The furniture and carpet looked very dated, and there was a lingering air freshener smell throughout, as if it was covering them up. Look closely at the photos. There was no manager on duty to discuss our concerns, which left us extremely disappointed.

We really liked our stay. The airport is very close, but we couldn’t hear the planes. The train station is across the road, and it’s a 10-minute walk to the local town. We had a late evening drink at the hotel, served kindly by the friendly staff. Great value.