Hotel Palacio Urgoiti
Calle Arritugane s/n, Mungia, Basque Country 48100, Spain
Why We Like It
Who wouldn’t want to spend the night in an 18th century Palace? Splendor of the building aside, everyone from golfers, swimmers, cyclists, and business travelers will find something to like about the Hotel Palacio Urgoiti. Its location from the airport makes it a wonderful port of entry or departure for travelers and we like its car/bike friendly accessibility for those in need of a fantastic place to stay while in transit; it really is an idyllic stopover for a night or two while on greater Basque Country explorations.
Fodor's Expert Review
This grand seventeenth-century palace, located 8 miles outside of Bilbao’s center and just a mile from the airport, is the ultimate leisure retreat for those looking for an alternative to the city bustle. Nestled in the foothills above Bilbao, the hotel features everything from a 9-hole golf course to a superb Basque restaurant to a heated swimming pool. With gorgeous views from the terrace and plenty of space, it’s a popular destination for business meetings and weddings. It is also a superb launching point to the beaches and the mountains and all of the attractions of the Basque country in between.
Tip A cyclist-friendly storage garage makes the hotel an excellent stop-over choice for those doing their Basque Country tours by bike.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The 43 spacious and comfortable rooms spanning the three floors of hotel all possess an elegance that matches the rest of the palace. And don't worry, they all still have your basic modern standards; Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, AC. The suites of the hotel up the romance levels with classic four-post beds complete with curtains, tall windows, and plenty of antique-adorned space.
Tip The hotel has a number of superior rooms with balconies that overlook the serene café terrace below and the rolling hills and valleys beyond. The views alone make us highly recommend the balcony upgrade.
Bathroom
The bathrooms all feature rich marble top to bottom along with big polished sinks and counters plus full baths.
Lobby
The imposing grandeur of the palace continues to impress upon stepping into the equally sumptuous lobby. Roman columns, arched hallways, ornamental rugs, and antique furniture adorn the space. It is less a lobby and more a series of well-appointed halls, nooks, and crannies, and the exceptionally welcoming staff is there waiting to guide guests through to the various rooms and amenities.
Pool
The hotel boasts a well-sized indoor heated pool with wraparound windows looking out into the gardens to bring in natural light. During the summer time, these can be opened to create a semi-outdoor feel for guests wanting to take a dip.
Gym
A tight gym features a small assortment of gear, plus a treadmill, bike, and strength machines for just enough to get a good workout in if the outdoor attractions of the hotel are not calling.
Dining
Guests will be happy to find both a formal and casual option for dining at the hotel. Harria, the upscale restaurant housed in the hotel, is open for both lunch and dinner and offers up a rotating seasonal menu of Basque cuisine amongst its white-clothed tables and red velvet floors.
For those who prefer a view, the more casual bistro and Café has an indoor lounge & pintxo bar with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out upon the stunning vistas. But even better is the outdoor terrace, open year-round thanks to a skylight retractable roof for inclement weather.
Tip The hotel offers plenty of vegetarian/gluten free friendly options for eaters with restrictive diets
Drinking
In the Café guests will be able to find a bar serving up beers, wines, cocktails, and pintxos during the afternoons and dinnertime.
Golf
The Hotel Palace Urgoiti has the distinct bragging rights to an impressive 9-hole pitch-&-put, complete with bunkers and pond, that guests can play on for a reasonable greens fee.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The out of the way location of the hotel means you will need a car or taxi to both get to the hotel and to explore around the region. Bilbao’s city center, with its Pintxo bars and the Guggenheim, is only a 20-minute drive, while the breathtaking beaches of Plentzia and Bakio are about the same distance.
Restaurants
For those who want nothing less than the best of the best, Restaurante Azurmendi is only 15-minutes by car; The only three-star Michelin restaurant in the region, this gorgeous countryside restaurant, perched in the hills outside of Bilbao, is the heavyweight champ of Modern Basque Gastronomy. Make sure to call far in advance for reservations. For a more casual experience, a quick trip to Bilbao’s Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) will give guests the opportunity to take a traditional pinxto crawl through the winding cobblestone streets lined with renowned pintxo bars.
Bars
The nightlife along Calle Ladesma (20-minute drive) in Centro Bilbao is some of the best in the city. The pedestrian-only promenade lined with bars is always a bustling scene of locals and tourists alike.
Photos
Quick Facts
People Also Liked
