CITY CHOICE: BILBAO: PETIT PALACE ARANA

About Bilbao
Unfairly, Bilbao is often thought of as a heavily industrialised city when it is in fact an attractive and lively community with a fair wealth of cultural offerings. The most famous attraction is undoubtedly the Guggenheim Museum (closed Mondays outside July/Aug) whose permanent art exhibitions include works by Kandinsky, Picasso, Cezanne and Warhol. The Casca Vieja is the old quarter, on the east bank of the river. Here you’ll find the lovely Arriaga Theatre, the Gothic-style Catedral de Santiago and several museums. Nearby, from the Plaza Funicular, you can take the Artxanda funicular for sweeping views right across the city.

Petit Palace Arana

This *** hotel is sandwiched between the famous Guggenheim Museum (10 minutes’ walk), the Casa Vieja (Old Town) and the Ensanche (Commercial Centre). It is also very handy for the Plaza Nueva underground stop. The building itself dates to the 19th century, however the hotel was fully renovated in 2002 and its contemporary design contrasts stylishly with its more traditional features. It has 64 rooms all of which are en suite with wooden floors, hydro-message showers, minibar, safe, satellite TV, air conditioning and telephone. Most rooms also have free internet access.