Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, Bilbao

Pros

• The panoramic views (and yummy cocktails) from La Terraza are so inviting, you'll share the space with locals who frequent the hotspot—it's "the" place to be.
• As the second hotel to grace Bilbao, its location offers a prime spot for exploring the city's thriving social, financial, political, and cultural scenes (a 13-minute walk to the Guggenheim).
• The Vintage rooms, with plush pink velvet, tartan, chevron, and houndstooth upholstering, provide an immersive experience of the city's glamorous 70s heyday.
• You have your choice of two eateries, including a ground-floor all-day restaurant and a rooftop terrace with DJ-spun music and signature cocktails.
• Past kimkim travelers rave about the breakfast buffet offerings with every diet considered.
• The wellness center is outfitted with free weights and cardio equipment if you need a little exercise.
• Details like the lobby's record player (which played actual LPs you can select) are a fun touch contributing to the 1970s aesthetic.

Cons

• While some guestrooms look out to neighboring buildings, La Terraza more than compensates for the lack of views.
• The impressive breakfast includes a top-notch buffet and a la carte options, though the meal isn't included in the room rate.

Authenticity

Established in 1972, Ercilla was the second hotel to ever exist in the industrial city, long before Bilbao was popular with visitors (Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao helped with that). After receiving a bit of a makeover since joining Marriott Bonvoy's Autograph Collection in 2020, the refurbished luxury hotel retains its 70s theme through its color and texture palette, though with a contemporary flair, so interiors aren't overly kitsch. Interior design references Bilbao's strong trade history with Britain as an industrial port city, with elements like tweeds, houndstooth, and dogtooth, while keeping many original furniture pieces and local oak woodwork. 

Location

Hotel Ercilla is located in the heart of Bilbao, in a busy shopping area, providing an excellent base for exploring the city's attractions. You'll be a 1-minute walk down the street from the Indautxu metro station, which connects you to Casco Viejo (Old Town) in under 10 minutes. Txabarri Palace is a 5-minute walk away, and you can reach the Casilda Iturrizar Park and the Guggenheim Museum in about 10-15 minutes on foot. You'll also be conveniently close to the airport bus stop, getting you to Bilbao Airport in about 20 minutes. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

You'll find 1970s vintage glam decor in any of the five guestroom types, from mirrored wall art and chrome fixtures to chevron-patterned carpet and wood paneling, as well as plenty of patterned textures like velvets and faux fur to soften the bold, stylized look. Some rooms have iconic bow windows, offering urban vistas. Bathrooms are bright and modern with historic travertine counters dating to the hotel's 70s start, lovingly restored, and exclusive Ercilla-scented products designed to evoke the woodland allure of the nearby Gorbeia National Park. Categories range from compact Stylish rooms to spacious Vintage Premium units, with options for city views and added amenities like sofa beds in select categories.

Amenities

The hotel's standout feature is the rooftop bar, La Terraza, which provides near 360-degree views of Bilbao while you listen to DJed music and sip creative cocktails. The ground-floor El Bar Americano serves a curated menu from breakfast to dinner, while the first-floor breakfast hall offers a sprawling buffet spread accommodating every dietary need. There's a small gym equipped with free weights, a few cardio machines, and an artificial turf area. The hotel is wheelchair-accessible, with wide doorways, multiple elevators, and some wheelchair-friendly rooms. 

Family-Friendliness

Although Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao caters more to adult travelers, children of all ages are welcome. All rooms can fit a complimentary baby crib for infants under two, and those aged between two and 11 can stay at a reduced rate. Parents may find the larger Vintage rooms most suitable, as they can accommodate a third person with a sofa bed and a fourth with a crib for baby.

Other Highlights

The Ercilla Hotel eateries are the property's highlights, including El Bar Americano, a sophisticated space with an expansive drinks menu and myriad dining options. Plus, the restaurant-bar pays homage to the hotel's former award-winning Bermeo Restaurant with a special Gastronomic Menu on select afternoons and evenings, bringing back some of its most beloved traditional dishes. Then there's La Terraza, a hotspot for locals and hotel guests with panoramic views of the city, a menu inspired by traditional pintxos and irresistible street food, and signature cocktails, like the Basque Sour.