In Gran Via shopping zone, overlooking Plaza Federico Moyua
A two-minute walk to airport bus and Moyua Metro station
Gym with a good selection of equipment and a steam room
Restaurant and bar serving varied menu
Pretty terrace overlooking the Plaza Federico Moyua
Bulgari products and bathrobes/slippers in Superior Rooms and Suites
Free shoe shines and lake check-outs with some rooms
12 meeting and event spaces, plus a business workstation
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
On-site parking in a basement garage
Some noise between rooms
Parking needs to be pre-booked
Some rooms may look a bit dated
The Carlton is a grand four-and-a-half-pearl hotel in the center of Bilbao's Gran Via area, with beautiful Basque architecture and interior details. The style is traditionally elegant throughout, with some more modern guest rooms. Of the 142 rooms, higher-end rooms feature welcome extras such as Bulgari toiletries and free late check-out. There is a small gym with a good selection of equipment and a steam room, several meeting spaces, and a popular restaurant serving authentic Basque cuisine and an impressive breakfast buffet. Be aware that the business centre is more of a workstation, but does have a great collection of photos of staff with famous guests. Travelers seeking high-end perks in a more contemporary setting might check out the nearby Melia Bilbao, though it's a bit isolated.
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Scene
Elegant, traditional hotel with rich history and beautiful architecture
Built in the 1920s, the Carlton was one of Spain's first luxury hotels, and the first to have en-suite bathrooms (no small feat in Old World European hotels). The hotel makes a grand first impression, and that doesn't really quit throughout a stay here. The lobby is impressive, with an intricately designed glass domed ceiling, elegant stone pillars, cosy seating nooks, and dramatic oil paintings. A beautiful spiral staircase clad in marble and a rich red carpet sweeps up from the lobby to the rooms. During the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, the hotel was used a seat for the Basque Government and it still holds an underground bunker, speaking to the hotel's historic nature. In fact, that sense of tradition is everywhere and the atmosphere is quiet and reserved. The hotel is popular with celebrities, including top football clubs like Real Madrid. Otherwise, the hotel appeals to mainly mature, well-heeled couples.
Location
In the heart of shopping and dining, a 10-minute walk from the Guggenheim
The hotel is set on Federico Moyua Plaza in the center of the city. It's located in the Gran Via area, which is Bilbao's main shopping district. The Moyua Metro station is a two-minute walk from the hotel, and a bus stop is right outside, providing a direct route to the airport every half hour, and taking under 15 minutes. There are several coffee shops and restaurants around the square, as well as some of the city's best shopping from designer to high-street names. The city's best museums -- the Guggenheim Museum and the Museo de Bellas Arts -- are both under 10 minutes away on foot. The Old Town, or Casco Viejo, where you'll find lots of little boutiques and bars, is a quick 10-minute metro ride, or if you enjoy a city stroll, it's a longer 25-minute walk across the river.
Rooms
Traditional and spacious, with the option of more modern styles, some with balconies
Simple elegance continues in the rooms, with details like floor-length curtains, warm red and gold tones, and chaise lounges all creating a polished look. Some of the rooms have more modern decor, with crisp whites and designer lighting, or silvery bedspreads and brocade wallpaper. In fact, the rooms vary a lot in their design, but they all offer a decent amount of space, and nice big windows bringing in lots of light. However, some do appear more dated than others.
All rooms include a useful desk area and flat-screen televisions, plus air-conditioning, safes, and minibars. Free Wi-Fi is available, but not all rooms feature coffeemakers. Marble bathrooms with double basins and separate toilet cubicles come standard. All rooms are separated from the public hallway by their own hallway with a bathroom and separate door into the bedroom, which helps reduce noise, though some is still audible between rooms.
Superior Rooms and Suites include bathrobes/slippers and Bulgari products as well as a free late check-out and free shoe-cleaning. They also have more spacious bathrooms, including a separate shower cubicle and free-standing bath. Junior Suites all have views over pretty Federico Moyua Square, while the vast Imperial Suite includes two bedrooms, its own fitness room and library.
Features
Well-liked restaurant serving Basque cuisine, plus meeting rooms and on-site parking
As a traditional city hotel, the Carlton's main asset is its beautiful building and central location. Its restaurant is also a highlight, though, especially for those wanting a real taste of Spain. The menu includes a range of traditional Basque dishes and its wine list is almost exclusively Spanish. Its breakfast buffet also offers an excellent spread of hot and cold dishes, although it is a little pricey so if you're just after a coffee and pastry, you'd be better off heading to one of the many nearby cafes. The cosy wood-paneled Bar Americano is a great place to sit back after your meal and has a great cocktail menu. The hotel also has a small gym, with a good range of equipment including cardio machines and weights, and a steam room. The business centre is more of a workstation, but has a wall covered with photos of famous guests and is well worth a look for that alone. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel is a real plus and there are twelve meeting/event spaces of varying sizes. Another bonus -- for a city centre hotel -- is the basement parking garage, although there are limited spaces and it does need to be booked ahead of time.
