Gran Hotel Domine

With lobby art works to rival the collection next door, this hotel combines a stellar location with five-star service. Its spacious roof terrace gives guests a front-row seat on Frank Gehry’s extraordinary-looking building from morning breakfast to evening aperitivos. Design-lovers drawn to Spain’s emerging cultural capital will appreciate the restrained look in the rooms, with their pale palette of greys, premium white linens and marble bathrooms – some of which feature tubs by Philippe Starck. The gym and spa are equally easy-on-the-eye, their combination of black with pale natural wood lending a quasi-Japanese look. The ground floor restaurant, however, is a great spot for a classically Spanish ‘menu del dia’ set meal, featuring dishes such as grilled hake with piquillo peppers.

 

Written by Orla Thomas

• Restaurant
• Le Café offers artfully crafted “pintxos”, a daily set menu and an a la carte service
• Views
• Great views over the city from the roof terrace
• Gym
• Large well equipped gym with Guggenheim views
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Cots available
• Roof terrace
• Bar
• Parking
• Business Centre
• Airport transfer
• Walking distance restaurants
• Sauna/Steam
• Satellite / Cable TV

• Massage
• Library
• Sit-out Terrace
• Pet friendly
• Child friendly
• Sitting Room
• Wifi
• 24 Hour room service
• Suites
• Hot Tub
• Concierge
• Air conditioning
• In room music system

• Close to nightlife
• The Casco Viejo (‘old quarter’) pintxo bars, plus atmospheric restaurants such as Casa Victor Montes, 20 minutes away on foot
• Other Activities
• Get a view over Bilbao and the rolling green hills of the Basque Country by taking the funicular to the summit of Artxanda
• Sights nearby
• Situated opposite the Guggenheim Museum, right in the heart of Bilbao's Arts Quarter.
• Designer Shopping
• Five minutes walk from the best shopping in town
• Learning

• Local markets
• Great walks
• Watersports
• Surfing

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Because we offer a 360 experience, from the moment they contact the hotel until they leave the hotel and send their review. So that, we are able to offer tailored experiences to help our customers enjoy the hotel to its top, as well as the city and surroundings. Apart from that, we have and unbeatable location, breathtaking views from the rooftop terrace and rooms, and an excellent customer service, focused on taking care of every detail.

What is there to do in the area? We are located in the Art District of Bilbao, with the Guggenheim museum and Fine Arts museum. Local culture and gastronomy are all around, and it is compulsory to taste the traditional Basque “pintxos” (tapas). Outside the city, there is much to discover in the Basque Country within one hour drive maximum: wild nature, the Basque Coast and villages, wineries (La Rioja Alavesa), etc.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Breakfast is actually one of the hotel highlights. Served on the rooptop Terrace with stunning views of the Guggenheim museum and the riverside, it includes a complete buffet with all the products made at home: juices squeezed every morning, homemade yoghourts, pastries and bakery. Sausages and cheeses are bought from local producers to contribute to the sustainability. Hot dishes are cooked at the moment and served a la carte, such as eggs and toasts.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We do have a restaurant (restaurant Le Café) based in traditional local recipes with and international vocation. Apart from a daily menu, we offer à la carte options and sharing dishes. Outside the hotel, there are lots of choices in the city. Bilbao is a gastronomic capital, both for “pintxos” and for traditional/modern restaurants. Michelin star restaurants are also concentrated in the city.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? The most demanded rooms are the Premier rooms. With 32 square metres, they offer direct views over the Guggenheim museum. The bathroom is separated from the room by a blind window, so from the iconic bathtub, designed by Philippe Starck, it is also possible to see the museum.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? We do have interconnecting rooms for families. Extra beds are also available (free of charge for children under 12 years-old)

What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers? Gran Hotel Domine is a design hotel, with plenty art pieces and majestic shapes. But it is a hotel to be lived and enjoyed, from its wonderful terrace to the exclusive wellness centre and gym, as well as restaurant options. It is a place where the guests are taken care of so that they can take advantage of a personalized service, even before arriving to the hotel.