Melia Bilbao Hotel ★★★★★

Bilbao is like a modern art gallery in itself, the streets carving a pathway through the works of famous architects, with sprawling green spaces providing a verdant backdrop. Capturing the essence of the Basque country – you know, with its delicious food and beautiful scenery – the city is a pocket of art and culture of its own accord. As a self-confessed art-lover and serious culture vulture, I was eager to walk amongst the amazing displays of creativity dotted around the city, particularly the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, considered by many to be the finest contemporary art gallery in the world.

To complement such an artistic city, I was on the hunt for accommodation that matched. I needn’t have worried – I found all that I wanted and more in the Meliá Bilbao. The five-star ultra-modern hotel was conceptualised and designed by celebrated Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta and inspired by the sculptures of Basque resident Eduardo Chillida. With such design heavyweights behind the project, it would be next to impossible for the hotel to be a disappointment: and, as I entered the futuristic world behind the tall, imposing exterior, this was, fortunately, confirmed.
Inside, the artistic trends continued – did I expect anything less from Bilbao? – with a five-storey high central atrium, warmly decorated in red ochre and ambient lighting. To get to my room, I had to get into a glass elevator and for a moment I imagined I was in some kind of sci-fi film, or in the middle of an art heist in a futuristic setting. It was the perfect welcome to Bilbao, and a magnificent taster of what was to come.

The rooms had been immaculately designed, too – attention to detail is hugely important in a visual city like Bilbao, it seems. Spacious and bright, my room spread out in a quirky shape, decorated with contemporary, colourful furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out across the rest of the gallery – sorry, city. The bathroom was all mirrors and marble surfaces, adhering to the ultra-modern design style.

Bilbao and the Meliá place a heavy emphasis on contemporary aesthetics, and the meticulous attention to innovative detail is evident throughout, including in the delicious dishes in the in-house restaurant, Le Four. Now, I knew the Basque country was renowned for its culinary scene, combining flavours of the sea with fresh ingredients of the land, but the Meliá had taken it one step further, offering an indulgent dining experience. Not only was the food absolutely mouth-wateringly tasty, but the surrounding décor and views out across Dona Casilda Park really captured the essence of dining in this region.

Then finally, after I’d soaked up all the beauty and futuristic design at the Meliá (and fully relaxed with a spa massage), I made my way to the celebrated Guggenheim – passing, on the way, numerous other modern architectural wonders that have given Bilbao its reputation for avant-garde design. Frank Gehry’s curvilinear masterpiece is only half of the wonder, though, as inside the collection of contemporary art on display is second to none, heavily emphasising the city’s status in the creative world. But, whilst the Guggenheim is the main masterpiece, there is plenty more to do around Bilbao. I particularly enjoyed exploring the old quarter, dipping into stylish coffee houses, browsing through artisanal handicrafts in charming boutique stores, and of course enjoying the lively environment in the many tapas bars tucked away down the twisting side streets.

Bilbao was, for me, like Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. I was hesitant to visit in case it disappointed – too small and not quite what I expected. What I discovered, however, was a city bursting with contemporary design with a strong foothold in the art world. This was emphasised by the Meliá, which epitomizes Bilbao’s character – a quirky, contemporary city in the traditional, rustic Basque country.