Bilbao Bay Ski Holidays

The staff was wonderful… give them a good raise. The proximity of the cathedral, Nuestra Señora de Begoña, was an added attraction since it was originally named the Cathedral of Santiago (St. James) and the old “Camino” in the 1500’s.

The hotel itself was gorgeous and our adjoining rooms for my party of four was wonderful. I rarely leave bad reviews, but I’ve stayed at varying levels of hotels, and for the lovely amenities offered at this hotel, the food and drink options were disappointing. When we checked into the hotel the only food option available was the higher end restaurant. We had hoped to have a light, affordable meal either at a mid-range price point or room service. Neither was available. I can’t speak about the breakfast, but the coffee was almost undrinkable. As for the main dinner restaurant the presentation was lovely, but the food was mediocre for the caliber. Of approximately ten options listed on the menu, only two were not vegetarian. We ordered several dishes, with the mixed vegetables being the best and the steak being the worst. The steak was chewy, unevenly salted, and lacked flavor. Overall, I would stay here again, but would be prepared to eat/drink in town.

Very nice breakfast, fresh and good choices.

Everything was great but outside noise made it very difficult for me to sleep. Just how it was!

Very convenient location. Hotel is very clean and staff is friendly and helpful

Pablo told me to go to the wrong garage my rental was stuck there for Monday cause it was closed then charged me 127 euros to get it out Tuesday. Horrible advice

So disappointed with our very expensive room with terrace. Bilbao is wonderful and the view from the room was spectacular but there were lots of little details that let the experience down; there was a cigarette burn on a cushion on the terrace chair, another large burn mark on the bathroom sink surround (hot hair tongs?), the planting on the terrace was looking very sad and eaten by bugs, a raucous party on first night in the room next door, scraping sounds of furniture from 6am which were from the breakfast terrace directly above. It’s not what we expected from a 5 star hotel and certainly not for the price.

Hotel Akelarre We chose this hotel for one of the most important moments of our lives, as I proposed to my partner during our stay, so the bar was incredibly high. After researching many of the best 5-star hotels across Europe, Hotel Akelarre stood out immediately and exceeded every expectation. The setting is truly special. Located in the peaceful Igueldo countryside, you feel completely removed from the world, yet you are only a short drive from San Sebastián. Waking up to uninterrupted views over the Bay of Biscay, with nothing but birds and distant cowbells, is something we will never forget. The design is exceptional, with a beautiful modern and minimal style that blends seamlessly into the landscape. Every detail feels intentional, from the materials and lighting to the layout of the spaces. Our room was spacious, spotless, and incredibly comfortable, with a huge bed, luxurious bathroom, and breathtaking views. Breakfast was the best we have ever had, with high-quality local ingredients and excellent made-to-order dishes. The spa was also a highlight, offering a calm and relaxing space with incredible views. Service was warm, professional, and attentive throughout. A special thank you to Mikel for helping coordinate such an important moment for us. If I had one small note, it would be that cocktail options were slightly limited compared to the rest of the experience. Overall, this is a truly special hotel and perfect for a memorable stay or special occasion.

Spotless room, beautiful amenities. Friendly and helpful staff. Beautiful accommodation all around. Great breakfast, too!

The hotel itself was gorgeous and our adjoining rooms for my party of four was wonderful. I rarely leave bad reviews, but I’ve stayed at varying levels of hotels, and for the lovely amenities offered at this hotel, the food and drink options were disappointing. When we checked into the hotel the only food option available was the higher end restaurant. We had hoped to have a light, affordable meal either at a mid-range price point or room service. Neither was available. I can’t speak about the breakfast, but the coffee was almost undrinkable. As for the main dinner restaurant the presentation was lovely, but the food was mediocre for the caliber. Of approximately ten options listed on the menu, only two were not vegetarian. We ordered several dishes, with the mixed vegetables being the best and the steak being the worst. The steak was chewy, unevenly salted, and lacked flavor. Overall, I would stay here again, but would be prepared to eat/drink in town.

The host Blanca was very attentive and most helpful. The Villa was a short bus ride from the centre and the buses were every 10 minutes. The bed and bedding were fabulous and the breakfast a delight.The secure parking was a bonus.