At the 4-star Ercilla Hotel, you can enjoy luxurious accommodation in the centre of Bilbao. And you get the best view in town from the rooftop terrace.
Location
The Ercilla Hotel is located in the heart of Bilbao, a stone’s throw from the Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Centre, a 15-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum, a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and a few minutes’ walk from the nearest metro station. Located in Bilbao’s modern district, there are plenty of bars and restaurants around you, as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.
Style and decor
The 4-star Ercilla Hotel was built in 1972 and completely renovated in 2007. The facade is not flashy, but the interior is stylish and elegant. However, the butler, standing ready in his red uniform in front of the hotel, testifies that this is a hotel that serves its guests in style.
The luxurious décor is designed with a warm atmosphere in mind, with soft cosy lighting, dark furniture, quality textiles and thick wallpaper. It’s all in cream, natural and brown colours, with organic designer details and a sprinkling of pops of colour in the lighting. In addition, the restaurants have avant-garde decoration.
A few years ago, the Ercilla Hotel was the place where people met to be seen. Today, the hotel faces competition from other hip hotels, but it remains a popular spot among locals.
The rooms
The rooms at the Ercilla Hotel are bright, spacious and modernly decorated, and offer rooms in the Basic, Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Family, Suite, Executive and Le Club categories.
I stayed in a Superior room on the 4th floor facing the street. The room was both spacious, elegant and the bed really good to sleep in. There were both several pillows to choose from and bathrobes and slippers available. 
A nice touch in my room was that the large windowsill is furnished with a cushion, where I enjoyed relaxing with a cup of coffee and a book or just sitting and studying life on the street below.
You can make your coffee in the espresso machine in the room, which is refilled with coffee capsules every day. Free water, safe and minibar are also provided.
Ask for a room on one of the upper floors or away from the street if you sleep lightly and want to avoid street noise.
Bathroom
The bathroom in my Superior room was divided into two rooms. The front had a washbasin with a large table with shelves for storing towels and toiletries.
There was a large basket filled with free toiletries from the Rituals brand. The basket contains everything from hair shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, hand soap and bath cap to washcloths, comb, toothbrush, cotton pads and cotton buds.
In addition, the wardrobe is also located in the front bathroom. This is a rare occurrence in hotel rooms, but I found it nice to have my clothes close at hand after my morning bath.
Breakfast
Ercilla serves a buffet breakfast on the 1st floor daily. It’s spacious with plenty of tables, some of which overlook the street, around the central buffet. The buffet is well-stocked with everything you need for a good brunch, including yogurt, eggs, ham, cheeses, fruit, salad and pastries. There are also several vegetarian options and freshly squeezed juices. You make your own coffee on the Nespresso machine.
Restaurants and bars
Ercilla has several places where you can enjoy everything from a cup of coffee to dinner and late-night drinks. The Lobby on the ground floor serves brunch and hot dishes. Afternoon tea with cakes is available, and you can also sit in the library and enjoy a drink. Every weekday there are piano evenings in The Lobby.
The Bermeo Restaurant, adjacent to the hotel, serves pintxos and Basque cuisine, as well as a good selection of local wines. I ate really good tapas and drank wine there a few times, but I didn’t test the dinner.
The restaurant, with a large bar as its centrepiece and lots of funky art on the walls, is also a great place to have a coffee during the day, either in the soft armchairs or on the terrace on the street.
The Ercilla Hotel’s rooftop cocktail bar, Le Club Rooftop, is a great place to enjoy a drink as night slowly falls on the city. Here you’ll get the best views of the city’s rooftops, the Nervión River running through the city and the mountains in the background. Waiters mix up great cocktails, and you can eat snacks and dishes like burgers all day.
Services and facilities
Ercilla offers a wide range of services and facilities, and I didn’t get to try them all. There is a good gym, meeting rooms, bike rental, parking, concierge, laundry, luggage storage and 24-hour room service. Ercilla Hotel is known for being a great place to hold parties and business events. You are also allowed to bring your pet to the hotel.
Prices
A room costs from DKK 739 per night for two people.
Check availability, see more photos and book a room here
Assessment
The Ercilla Hotel is a great choice if you want to stay right in the centre of Bilbao, in stylish surroundings with dining options just around the corner. It’s cosy and the service is top notch. From being met on the street and helped with your luggage to being safely put in a taxi when you check out again. Ercilla Hotel’s staff know the art of being attentive while leaving room for privacy.
With many locals in the bars and restaurant, you’ll get a different and more colourful experience than in many other hotels. The Ercilla Hotel is a design hotel with everything you need in the rooms and the hotel. Stay in style at a great price.
Ercilla Hotel, Ercilla Kalea 37(show on map)
Travel tips for Bilbao
If you need tips on what to do in Bilbao, read the guide to Bilbao and the guide to Bilbao’s hip bohemian district.
