AXEL HOTEL BILBAO ONLY ADULTS

I was greeted by Ivan the very charming and charismatic manager of the hotel who efficiently checked me in. The room is beautifully decorated and prepared, a little smaller than the sister hotel in San Sebastián which I stayed in the two nights before, but a great location close to the old town and fifteen minutes brisk walk to the Guggenheim. I loved the shower design. The bed is comfortable but would benefit from better pillows as would San Sebastián, but so many excellent details. The spa is small but beautiful but the facilities need to increase the temperatures, the jacuzzi, sauna and steam all need to be increased a few degrees, especially as you’re offered a gratis thirty minute time limit, but thinks are not hot enough. In San Sebastián the bath robes and slippers were included in the room rate but were chargeable in Bilbao which is inconvenient because you have to change in the toilet at the spa which takes away the sense of convenience and luxury. There was an issue I won’t post publicly that shouldn’t have happened but this hotel is new and I think some lessons will have be learned. On the whole a very positive experience and I would return if i was ever back in Bilbao.

This Axel is relatively new. The rooms are well designed, the shower is very stylish. Ivan and his staff do their best to give a good client experience. Ivan checked me in and was extremely charming. There was an issue with another guest and they put things right promptly. My only little criticism is that the spa is small and nice but none of its facilities were warm enough, the spa, jacuzzi and steam all needed to be a few degrees warmer. Also the Axel in San Sebastián provided bathrobes and slippers at no extra cost and they were in the room, in Bilbao there is a charge but as the changing facility in the spa is small it would be better to also provide the robes and slippers in the rooms. Otherwise the hotel is beautifully appointed and a great location for the Old Town and a fifteen/twenty minute walk to the Guggenheim.