Hotel Carlton

Location, easy walk to the Guggenheim

Tacky Las Vegas styled rooms in a classic hotel...what were they thinking? No valet service, hard to enter hotel and park yourself. Not what you expect in a 5 star hotel

I loved this hotel--it was old school comfy, with large hallways and rooms, very clean, lovely staff, lovely old bar that was great place to have a drink and unwind. And the location was fabulous. A bus to and from airport stops right next door. And you can walk 10 mins to Old Town, 10 mins to the Guggenheim. Take a metro to Getxo right outside the door. And the hotel overlooks a lovely city circle with beautiful plantings, so lots of light (at least in the rooms that face the front!) The staff were always helpful and went the extra mile. This was one of my favorite hotels ever!

Nothing, everything was excellent.

Hotel was well located and not too long a walk from the Guggenheim and the old town. It was close to a metro stop as well as the bus stop for the bus that goes to/from the airport. It was also close to many recommended restaurants and there was a grocery store a block away. The room was really spacious with loads of storage space. The beds were pretty comfortable. There was complimentary water and other drinks in the minibar - though we did not realise it until the end of our stay. We had a room with a small balcony and it was nice to step out there.

These are very minor points. There were very few electrical outlets in the room and only one side of the bed had one, which was a very minor inconvenience. Also we should have taken advantage of the pillow menu as the ones in the room were pretty flat and soft - again a very minor inconvenience and one that did not bother us enough to call reception.

This is a large hotel in a prominent position in the city within relatively easy walking distance of some of the main attractions. It's a five star hotel and shows that throughout. If you are in a car they expect you to initially park under the front colonnade, which seems a little awkward as you have to drive across the busy footway. There is a small underground car park that you are then directed to, if there is space. The room was well appointed and comfortable as you would expect in a five star hotel.

I found the cost of a breakfast, when there are much cheaper places within a few metres outside, prohibitive.

The location is central, the airport shuttle stops just at the hotel, the room was large with a beautiful side view of the circus, the bed was huge and comfortable but I don’t like spring mattresses. We arrived very early but got the room without waiting, which was excellent. The staff was kind, smiling and very willing to help. We had a wonderful time and would like to repeat the experience.

Next to my night table there was no socket so to recharge the mobile I had to get up and go to the desk.

This is a true 5 star hotel. The type of hotel that set the rules for all 5 star. Contrary to many 5 star. It’s ideally located. Near to Gran Via. And also to Guggenheim. It’s an historical hotel. Hemingway wrote about it. “During his stay in Bilbao he shared the fiesta and hotel with Lauren Bacall (widow of Humphrey Bogart). And from the hotel he wrote "we had good rooms in Carlton Hotel, it is an excellent hotel (...) the ground flor, the bar and the dinning room were full of people waiting for their tables".

Everything perfect

Elegant and gracious with impeccable, old school service - as reliably anticipated in a classic hotel of this calibre. The hotel itself is beautiful, as is the location. It was ideal for getting about by foot, taxi or public transportation and the frequent and fast airport bus could not have been more convenient.

Only one small bath towel supplied, plus a stained hand towel! The in-room coffee and milk provision was similarly stingy. I'm quite certain house-keeping would have put things right with alacrity, if approached. As it was, it was just a touch jarring.

Where do we start - amazing service from the get-go, emailed to say we would be arriving on the ferry at 8 am + would it be possible to park in the garage when we got to Bilbao which was 9 am, when we got there not only could we use the garage space, we could also access our room, v impressed + v v grateful. Concierge staff v helpful + courteous, a true gent, also the guy on reception. V v pleased from start to finish, highly recommend. Our little dog Toby was made v welcome which is also a big plus for us.

Absolutely nothing, everything was just spot on, a lovely experience.

Exceptional hotel with great friendly and very attentive people. The hotel is kept in super shape and it is located in front of a very nice plaza within walking distance of the Guggenheim museum and the old part of town. Shopping district with high end stores is also right down the street. The metro is practically at the front door and the area is kept in great clean shape. The rooms are super spacious and include all the commodities. This visit was right in the middle of the Aste Nagusia holidays and the hotel hosted great pinchos and wine. It was a blast!

No complaints.

Staff on desk very helpful. Loaned me an adaptor to charge phone. As mine wasn't working.(Thank you Ivan) The staff are for me the reason I will remember and return to any place. Bag storage on day of leaving so could do a last minute walk around without carry luggage. Central so bus to airport.Tube also across the road. Stayed here 5 times.

The room on this visit was facing the on the inner part of the building. Which I personally find claustrophobic. But its quite and peaceful so some people may prefer it.