NH Bilbao Deusto

This place sits on the quieter side of the river, in Bilbao’s Deusto district, which means you get easy access to the big sights without being right in the thick of things. Cross the nearby bridges and you’re at the Guggenheim Museum in around 10-15 minutes, with its shiny curves and riverside walks, and not much further from the Museum of Fine Arts and Doña Casilda Park. Wander along the estuary towards the old town for pintxos-hopping, or jump on the tram or metro if your legs want a break.

Back at the hotel, the vibe’s modern, simple and comfy. There’s an in-house restaurant serving Spanish and Basque-inspired dishes, plus a bar for a pre-dinner drink or easy nightcap. A buffet breakfast will sort you out before you go chasing art, architecture and anchovies on toast. Practical bits are covered too: you’ll have free Wi-Fi for planning your pintxos route, meeting spaces if you’re mixing business with your break, and on-site parking, which is gold dust if you’re road-tripping the Basque coast. All in, it’s a relaxed, well-connected base for seeing a more local side of Bilbao while keeping the headline sights well within wandering distance.