Bilbao is not an expensive city by European standards, but central hotels near the museums fill up and prices rise on match days and during big events. The ILUNION Bilbao is the dependable value choice. It is a three-star hotel on the Calle Rodríguez Arias, in the residential heart of the Ensanche, the elegant nineteenth-century grid of the modern city, about 600 metres from the San Mamés stadium and roughly a kilometre, or fifteen minutes on foot, from the Guggenheim. It belongs to ILUNION, a Spanish hotel group known for its commitment to accessibility, and that shows in the details: four fully adapted rooms with space to turn a wheelchair, adjustable grab bars and level-entry showers, plus Braille labels on room locks and toiletries. The room range is broad, from singles and standard doubles to superior rooms, triples, a suite and pet-friendly rooms, which makes it a practical choice for families, friends and travellers with dogs. Downstairs, La Kedada restaurant specialises in local cuisine and pintxos, and there is a cafeteria and a varied breakfast. Guests have free use of a 24-hour gym, and a public car park in the same building, with lift access to the hotel and electric charging points, solves the parking problem for drivers. Metro and bus stops are on the doorstep, so the old town, the train stations and the airport are easy to reach.
Location and getting around: the hotel is at Calle Rodríguez Arias 66, in the city centre near San Mamés. The Guggenheim and the Bilbao Museoa are about fifteen minutes on foot, the Itsasmuseum and the Athletic Club Museum are close by, and the Termibus bus station, with buses to San Sebastián and the airport, is a short walk across the San Mamés area. Metro stops nearby connect quickly to the Casco Viejo and to Getxo for the Vizcaya Bridge.
Rooms: rooms are simple, clean and well equipped rather than stylish. Triples and pet-friendly rooms are useful for families and dog owners, and the accessible rooms are among the best equipped in the city.
Who it suits: budget-minded travellers, families, football fans heading to San Mamés, guests with reduced mobility and anyone travelling with a dog. It is also a good base for a day trip to San Sebastián, given how close it is to the bus station.
Good to know: the car park in the building charges a daily fee, so factor it in if you drive. Breakfast may be charged separately depending on your rate. On Athletic home match days the streets around San Mamés are lively and prices can rise, so book early if your dates coincide with a big game.
Why stay here
- ✓La Kedada restaurant with pintxos
- ✓Free 24-hour gym
- ✓Public car park in the building with EV charging
- ✓Fully accessible rooms
- ✓Pet-friendly rooms
- ✓Triple rooms and a suite
- ✓Cafeteria and varied breakfast
- ✓Meeting and event rooms
Good questions
How far is the ILUNION Bilbao from the Guggenheim?+
It is about a kilometre away, or roughly fifteen minutes on foot. San Mamés stadium is about 600 metres from the hotel.
Does the ILUNION Bilbao have parking?+
Yes, a public car park in the same building has lift access to the hotel and EV charging. It charges a daily fee.
Is the ILUNION Bilbao accessible?+
Yes, it has four adapted rooms with wheelchair turning space, grab bars and level showers. Braille labels are used on room locks and toiletries.