Hotel Miró ★★★★

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Gaudi’s most famous and most innovative masterpiece; the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede in Sevilla, the largest cathedral in the world; the Alhambra, Granada’s iconic, mighty Moorish palace and fortress complex; the beach of La Concha, one of Europe´s most famous and picturesque urban beaches in San Sebastian… What do all these things have in common? Aside from being among the most renowned and well-loved Spanish tourist attractions, they are also all listed among the ‘12 Treasures of Spain’.

This is the esteemed company in which another of the sites on that list, Bilbo’s Guggenheim Museum, finds itself. A dazzling, daring structure and one of the most admired works of contemporary architecture in the world, it is a symbol of the new Bilbao. It has done so much to boost Bilbao’s image and tourism trade, becoming an emblem of the city’s deindustrialisation and regeneration. As the torch bearer for this same drive towards modernity among the city’s hotels, the Hotel Miró is suitably positioned just across the road, looking out at the Guggenheim and taking inspiration from the museum’s creative, contemporary design.

Creative and contemporary are certainly two of the words that best sum up the hotel. It was designed by Barcelona-based fashion designer Antonio Miró, and therefore encapsulates the kind of haute couture style that we are more used to seeing on the runways of London, Paris or Milan. In fact, the hotel’s inspiration seems to be split equally between the chic boutiques of Bilbao’s ‘Golden Mile’ on one side, and the futuristic ‘treasure of Spain’ on the other. The design is minimalist, straight-forward, but above all very stylish, with Miró’s subtle but unmistakable touch present wherever you look.

Clean lines, crisp whites and the occasional splash of pastel colour make the hotel seem airy, luminous and spacious. In the bedrooms, simple but effective artwork adorns the walls, and light streams through the enormous windows, illuminating the elegant furnishings and large, comfortable beds. Black marble and glass dominate in the bathrooms, which are just as luxurious and well equipped as the bedrooms. VeryChic offers you a room in one of the upper floors, enjoying a breath-taking view which - along with the ‘Grand Comfort’ mattress, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, complimentary toiletries and bathrobe, international television and mohair blankets – will make your stay pure bliss!

Downstairs, the inviting shades of yellow in the bar make it a relaxing spot to sit back and plan a day of sightseeing in the Basque country’s largest city, or even to reflect on a busy day’s activity. The only thing better than the smooth design. For an equally peaceful experience, guests are invited to sit back in the cosy library, perfect for getting to know Bilbao in a refined environment. Or better still, for the ultimate in tranquillity and refreshment or one of a range of different massages. Darker, warmer tones are characteristic of the décor here, to truly soothe all the senses.

The artistic, progressive spirit in which the concept of the Hotel Miró was created is typical of modern Bilbao. Determined to shed its image as an industrial, dull town, towards the end of the 20th century Bilbao invested heavily in new infrastructure and a large scale restyling of the whole city. In particular, it gambled on the expensive and quirky Guggenheim museum, with unbelievable results. In addition to simply bringing some of the world’s best contemporary art to the Basque country, it rejuvenated the atmosphere and soul of the whole city. Thanks to the ‘Guggenheim effect’, the spirit was suddenly one of optimism, creativity and dynamism, while the museum’s success attracted tourism, more cultural institutions and more investment. Seventeen years on, Bilbao is a cosmopolitan, thriving, modern city, full of striking architecture and culture.

Of course, Bilbao is not just seventeen years old – more like seven hundred – and it maintains some of its history and ancient traditions. There is a fascinating old town, home to many quaint historic buildings, an enormous indoor market, a gothic cathedral and several other grand churches. Furthermore, the tradition of pintxos, the Basque take on tapas, is still more than welcome in modern Bilbao. Basque cuisine is among the best in Spain, and Bilbao’s culinary scene has also seen a revival in recent years thanks to the Guggenheim effect, with more of a focus on originality, flair and wit. The city, then, is about more than just contemporary design and modern living. However, for a true taste of the character of one of Europe’s finest up-and-coming, vibrant cities, there is only one choice – the Hotel Miró.