Located directly across the street from Frank Gehry’s masterpiece, Guggenheim Bilbao – the building that began the phenomenon of architectural tourism, the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao’s striking façade reflects the museum’s golden curves, just as it reflects Bilbao’s flair for contemporary style.
Showpiece Lobby
Designed by Javier Mariscal and Fernando Salas, the building is a showpiece inside and out. The lobby opens into a sinuous atrium that soars to eight stories. One wall is a stair-stepped fountain decorated by arrangements of china and wine glasses, while in the atrium’s center rises a giant wire mesh pillar filled with sea-worn stones. The interior glass elevator that whisks guests to their rooms and to the terrace restaurant gives a dramatic view of the atrium. Lobby furniture and lounge is just as eye-catching, in bold playful contrasts of black, white and red.
Guestrooms overlook the atrium or those on the front of the building look directly out at the Guggenheim. Rooms on lower floor are at eye level with Jeff Koons’ Puppy, the West Highland terrier pup sculpture that has become as much an icon of the city as the museum itself. Completely covered in flowering plants, Puppy changes color with the season, and is part of Guggenheim Bilbao’s permanent art collection.
Guest Rooms
Rooms are large and bright, with a wall of windows and a full wall of desk. Between the bathroom and sleeping area, a glass-enclosed room with a teak-slat floor features an open spa shower and huge soaking tub. Original art decorates even the bathroom.
Hallways are enlivened by mural-sized drawings of stick-like people and animals that carry out a whimsical art theme that includes nightly turn-down gifts of little black cat, sheep or dog squeaky toys along with the chocolate.
Breakfast on the Terrace
A lavish breakfast buffet is served on the seventh-floor terrace overlooking the sun-lighted golden panels of the Guggenheim. Fresh fruits, Spanish and imported cheeses, Spanish hams and cured meats and fresh-baked breads fill the buffet, while hot entrees of crepes, made-to-order omelets and other breakfast dishes are available. Guests can dine outside on the open treeace in good weather, or inside, with the same view, but protected by a glass wall.
Well Located for Touring Bilbao on Foot
The Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao is perfectly situated for walking all over the city. Across Alameda de Mazarredo, right behind the Guggenheim, is the river with its green promenade and white footbridge designed by Santiago Calatrava. Beyond that on the opposite bank the Medieval Casco Viejo, or Old Town, is a maze of charming narrow streets once trod by Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago – the Way of St James.
Turn left on leaving the hotel to reach the excellent Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, with priceless art that includes Medieval polychrome woodcarvings, Art Nouveau sculpture and paintings by the Spanish masters.
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