Occidental Bilbao

“Great hotel”

Great hotel, lovely lobby area. Great atmosphere, having the outside pool is great to relax before and after exploring. Location is great (only if you like or can walk) 15 minutes from the square and 20 from the river. Breakfast was great, staff were friendly. Rooms were large, pretty beige!! But t… more

Great hotel, lovely lobby area. Great atmosphere, having the outside pool is great to relax before and after exploring. Location is great (only if you like or can walk) 15 minutes from the square and 20 from the river. Breakfast was great, staff were friendly. Rooms were large, pretty beige!! But the rest of the place made ip for it Commercial gym below it, so very high quality..although an additional charge to use it, seemed a bit unnecessary, even more to use the spa / indoor pool! Would recommend

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“Family with young adults”

Very clean. Nice atmosphere in lobby. Drinks reasonably priced. Don't stay here if you are looking for a family hotel. Many non-residents can access the pool and when we were there they got access earlier than the residents and took the few loungers that were there. One parasol in total and only a … more

Very clean. Nice atmosphere in lobby. Drinks reasonably priced. Don't stay here if you are looking for a family hotel. Many non-residents can access the pool and when we were there they got access earlier than the residents and took the few loungers that were there. One parasol in total and only a lounger for 1 out of every 3 people leaving more to lie on the ground. This is such an easy fix, come on management! You appear to be catering for those with club membership than residents staying here. No drinks allowed or jumping in or balls at the pool. Most people are respectful so can't see how this isn't allowed. This is a management issue though all the staff were excellent and the hotel very clean. Nice fresh fruit for breakfast although the al a carte was expensive and quality only ok.

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“Beautiful pool without beds.”

So we checked in yesterday to a lovely welcome. The room was spacious and clean and the hotel bar area nicely laid out.. Everything you expext from a Barcelo hotel. We spent all of yesterday walking so decided today to have a few hours around the pool. All the sun beds had gone by 10am. I’d say the… more

So we checked in yesterday to a lovely welcome. The room was spacious and clean and the hotel bar area nicely laid out.. Everything you expext from a Barcelo hotel. We spent all of yesterday walking so decided today to have a few hours around the pool. All the sun beds had gone by 10am. I’d say there are thirty maximum which is totally inadequate for a hotel of this size. There is plenty of space to double or even treble the amount of sun beds but it appears the hotel are either unwilling to spend money or don’t care about their guests sitting on the floor? Sadly had I known this would have been the case we would have stayed elsewhere else and closer to the centre.

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“Shame about the sleep quality”

We chose this hotel over the more central options because we wanted air conditioning and a pool. I don't think we got it right. We were glad for the air conditioning as the temperature passed 40 degrees. We didn't try the pool as it was over subscribed and basically in the carpark beside a busy r… more

We chose this hotel over the more central options because we wanted air conditioning and a pool. I don't think we got it right. We were glad for the air conditioning as the temperature passed 40 degrees. We didn't try the pool as it was over subscribed and basically in the carpark beside a busy road. There were no umbrellas and it was too hot to consider being outside without any shade. Inside the hotel the front desk staff were professional and efficient with check in and out and calling taxis as needed. We had lunch in the bar on arrival and coffee and tea the following day. We had a drink in the bar our first night and ate in the restaurant on the second. I found the bar staff friendly and helpful and was interested to see the senior bar manager had also responsibility for the restaurant. It was nice to see how he led his team of young waiters giving direction and checking their progress. We liked the food generally and the breakfast was good. However the noise in our rooms overnight prevented a good night's sleep. Travelling as a family of three we had to take two rooms and were pleased to be allocated interconnecting rooms. Usually the extra cost is worth it as a bed always trumps a sofa bed and the second bathroom is always welcome. We were allocated rooms 212 & 213 which are actually below the lobby floor and appeared to be below the conference suite/ meeting rooms. I don't know if construction was going on or what was happening but each evening and morning when we were in the rooms and trying to sleep we were disturbed by the sound of dragging furniture and footsteps. The second night was worse than the first. I don't think it could have been guests and it wasn't isolated but ongoing and frankly we are going home bleary eyed to sleep. In fact we're so sleep deprived we are looking at day use room options between our connecting flights.

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