Hotel Carlton

Bilbao’s most luxurious grand dame hotel, this gleaming landmark dates back to 1926. It’s only 400 metres from the Guggenheim Museum, at the start of the ‘Golden Mile’ of high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants, and within walking distance of the Casco Viejo with its characterful tapas bars.

A touch of old-fashioned class recalls the days when it played host to the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner; the gorgeous lobby with its stained glass and sweeping grand staircase adds a sense of occasion to your check-in, and easy valet parking means road-trippers can simply ditch their car at the door.

There’s elegant dining at the Aratagan restaurant, a clubby bar for cocktails and pintxos and a summer terrace.

Special weekend packages include a double room, buffet breakfast and two tickets to the Guggenheim. For a blow-out stay, book the top-floor Imperial Suite.