Sercotel Coliseo Bilbao

Dating from 1916 and once belonging to the grand Coliseo Albia theater, the elegant neoclassical facade that now forms part of the Sercotel Coliseo is practically a tourist attraction in its own right. Rather than accessed directly from the street, the reception is situated two floors up from the entrance (with the lower levels occupied by a casino). Opened as a hotel in 2011, interiors are smart and contemporary, combining dark-wood flooring with thick rugs, metallic fabric seating, and a scattering of modern artworks. There is a pair of elevators that guests can use to access underground parking or guest rooms that are spread over upper floors. A pleasant, peaceful, and often sunny internal courtyard provides some outdoor space, with wooden decking, plenty of seating, and large parasols. Despite a rather corporate look and feel in places, vacationing couples make up the bulk of the clientele. 

The hotel is located in a pretty, semi-pedestrianized street in the center of the buzzing Basque city of Bilbao. It's particularly well-positioned for the city's main train station, which is just a few minutes' walk away, as well as being 10 minutes on foot from the picturesque Old Town (Casco Viejo) and its cathedral. There are numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes within a short stroll, as well as various retail outlets and department stores in the immediate surrounds. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Fine Art Museums are both within 15 minutes' walk, or a five-minute cab journey. Buses to Bilbao Airport leave from around seven minutes' walk away, or it's around a 20-minute drive directly to the airport.

Decor in the hotel's 97 rooms continues in the same vein as the lobby, with dark-wood flooring, smart modern furniture, and metallic accents; swathes of bare white walls add a more minimalist look, however, it can feel a little sterile. All rooms are fairly spacious, but Superior Rooms are larger and add lounge areas -- some on mezzanine levels -- while Junior Suites include separate sitting rooms. Some lower-level rooms are prone to a little street noise, while courtyard-facing rooms are quieter. All rooms are air-conditioned, and equipped with (rather small) flat-screen TVs, minibars (with beer and soft drinks), and electronic safes. Upgraded rooms and suites add tea- and coffee-making facilities that include coffee machines (capsules cost extra). Wi-Fi is free and fast, and pillow menus are available. Sleek bathrooms have dark tiling, shower/tub combos, heated towel racks, and wall-mounted hairdryers, plus hotel-brand toiletries. Suites also come with bathrobes.

Common to many such urban hotels, there's not a great deal in the way of facilities. The main common space incorporates a spacious lounge, with large flat-screen TVs and several sofas, as well as the hotel's breakfast area. A decent buffet breakfast of hot and cold items is served each morning, though not included in the standard rate. There is a cafe corner offering free self-service coffee, and a pleasant and secluded courtyard for lounging. Internet terminals and Wi-Fi are also free of charge. Although no proper restaurant is on-site, the casino restaurant downstairs offers guests a reasonably priced menu. Underground parking is available for a fairly steep daily charge. On the downside, there are no spa facilities and the gym is small with basic exercise machines.