As Hotel Express Altube

There’s plenty of safe parking for trucks and campers, and the WiFi is free and very good. The place is handy if you’re heading to the boat for the UK or Ireland, right off the motorway and not too noisy. Dogs are welcome, even while you eat. The shop has wine, beer, crisps, and lots of other useful things. I enjoyed the steak and chips, too. There’s also a petrol station across the road.

Finding the place wasn’t easy, as the sat nav seemed confused. It’s a motorway stop rather than a graded hotel, yet it felt rather expensive. If you need to stay near Bilbao’s port, one night is enough. I just hoped the evening would pass quickly, and I won’t be keeping it in mind for a return visit.

The restaurant was neither great nor terrible. The room was fine, the shower was good, and the tatty couch was one you didn’t mind letting your dog onto. There’s green space around the hotel for a short dog walk, which makes it a decent stop just off the ferry or before catching one. It’ll be the last grass they see for a while. Four stars for an okay dog-friendly hotel.

The rooms are spacious and clean, and the restaurant is OK. It’s a convenient overnight stop before the morning ferry from Bilbao. There’s more room than at a Travelodge or Premier Inn, though it costs a bit more. I paid €68 at the last minute and thought that was on the high side.