HOTEL ABANDO

I tried to reserve a room with them, but never got confirmation that the room was reserved. I tried to start over, but got the message that there was no availability, so booked another hotel. Only to see a charge on my credit card 3 days before the original check in date, which is too late to get a full refund. And it's next to impossible to contact them from the US to dispute the charge. The phone number listed is fake, and the supposed live chat agent is also fake. Not even AI. The hotel might actually be good, but I give them a 1 for a very negative experience. I'd give them a zero, but that option isn't available.

Enjoyed 4 nights here. The breakfast suited us choosing smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, cheese and bread with extra virgin olive oil and a light shake of salt. Pineapple with yogurt and walnuts. One of the receptionists, Enzo, was extremely helpful, telling us about the Metro and helping us to source a sports bar at short notice after realising that the hotel Abando itself wasn't able to show the Women's World Cup Rugby Final as promised. The downside as previously noted in other Spanish Hotels, is the lack of sound proofing; namely doors slamming, toilets flushing, showers running, other guests coming back in the early hours 03.24, 04.37 talking loudly enough to wake us. Maybe it's because most Spanish city dwellers live in apartments and have to accept other people's noise as normal. The upside is it's extremely handy for the market, the eateries, the Metro and a pleasant riverside walk to the Guggenheim. If travelling to Bilbao by bus, take the Metro to "Abando" the hotel is just around the corner 1.90 euros per person from the machine using debit card and pin number. Frequent service only a few mins wait.

There was little to no sound damping so could hear everything in the rooms around me and in the corridor. The AC was terrible and my room (on floor 5/6) was so hot even with it on full. The staff was kind and the breakfast good however. The area is lovely with fantastic food places very close.

Rooms are outdated and the beds are hard; it's not the cleanest place either. The shower floor seems to slope upward, and the drain is slow, so there was a bit of water on the floor after using it. We're on the third floor and the WiFi is spotty. We booked this room months ago so we got a good rate, but it definitely doesn't feel like a four star hotel, even though there is a Michelin restaurant on the premises. The location is very good; it's about five minutes walking from the train station.

Lovely hotel, very central to everything in Bilbao, situated right in the heart of cafes, shops and museums. Yet was quiet. Only downside no sitting outside area and room on the inside was a bit dark but the location, friendliness of staff and the service is second to none.