Thanks to Frank Gehry’s spectacular Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao has been transformed from a small industrial Basque port to a European centre of arts, gastronomy and wine scene. The museum opened to the public in 1997 morphing the city into a vibrant economic and cultural centre. It quickly attracted visitors from around the world for its world-class programme.

A landmark for the great collection was the presentation of Richard Serra’s large-scale installation titled The Matter of Time (1994-2005) which remains a highlight today. Serra is in great company with more important names in the collection including Louise Bourgeois, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and commissioned works by Anselm Kiefer, and Jenny Holzer among many other artists.

To visit the Guggenheim Museum, there’s no better location than The Artist – Grand Hotel of Art. Spacious and filled with modern design, this wonderful hotel features 145 beautiful guestrooms and suites. It is the best Bilbao has to offer with its excellent panoramic terrace overlooking the architecture of Frank Gehry’s iconic museum. It is said that the architect himself loves to contemplate his masterpiece from The Artist’s rooftop. The Penthouse Suite is the most exclusive of the hotel, where every detail is carefully curated to ensure a perfect stay. It provides a unique experience thanks to the comfort of its two separate rooms and the best private terrace overlooking the gorgeous landscape.

The hotel is conveniently located, with easy access to the airport. The district is also vibrant with multiple tapas bars, excellent restaurants and lovely local shops. Thanks to a quick bus or taxi ride, the train station is also easily reachable.

Dedicated to excellence, The Artist has air-conditioned rooms with carpeted floors and private bathrooms complete with bathtubs, bathrobes, and slippers. Travel and design magazines are available in the room providing a relaxing atmosphere. Every room features a 40-inch flat-screen TV with international satellite channels, complimentary WiFi, and a USB port. Very elegant, each bathroom also features Diptyque products adding another touch of chic.

Erik Garcia Blanco, Marketing Manager of The Artist and Hotel Miró, also in Bilbao, talks to Art is Alive: “The Artist” Grand Hotel was built in 2002, just five years after the Guggenheim Museum. For the first 22 years, it operated as Gran Hotel Domine. After 2016 and with new owners, The Artist started a process to progress from a traditional 5 star hotel to a Luxury 5 star hotel. During this transformative phase, the hotel undertook major improvements across its facilities, invested in its art collection, in staff training, and reviewed the gastronomy of its restaurant with a focus on the “farm to table” philosophy. And the result is impressive.

Breakfast is served inside or outside on the spectacular roof terrace, which offers expansive city views. There are many dining options available to guests at Sixty-One Lobby Bar, The Gallery, and Restaurante Olio. The hotel also features a Turkish bath, sauna, and exercise area in its wellness centre. Stimulation of both the body and the mind are the leitmotiv of The Artist.

“Very well-known artists, architects, writers, musicians have all stayed at the hotel. The Artist is the place to be when you come to Bilbao. The warm service of our team makes the difference. Modern, understated, and timeless is how I would describe the soul of the hotel.” Garcia Blanco continues.

Designed by architect and artist Javier Mariscal, the interior of The Artist mixes noble materials, generous spaces and amazing comfort. Originally from Valencia, Spain but based in Barcelona since the 1970s, Mariscal is famous for designing Cobi, the mascot of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He opened the Estudio Mariscal in 1989 and his most notable works include the visual identities for the Swedish social democratic party, the Lighthouse Centre for Architecture and Design in Glasgow, the GranShip Cultural Centre in Japan and the London postproduction company, Framestore among other world-class projects. In 2002, Mariscal’s multidisciplinary career culminated with the integral design of what was then the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao, from staff uniforms, common areas, its website and its visual identity.

For its recent new chapter, the hotel changed its name from Gran Domine to The Artist which reflects its strategic location, at the heart of the Arts District. “The Guggenheim & gastronomy are meant to be great inspirations for the traveller who come to Bilbao. This is what we want to present at The Artist, primarily concepts of authenticity and purity. We have the best location in the city.” Simply cross the street and you’ll access the museum.  

With great art displayed on each floor, the art collection is also an asset: “It all started with the influence of the Guggenheim Museum and the curiosity of the owners. Pictures, architecture, photography make the art collection of the hotel”. With new pieces such as “A Million Times 120,” a dynamic piece created especially for the foyer by the Swedish design collective Humans Since 1982, the hotel strengthens connections with modern art. Knoll’s renowned Cross Check chair honours Frank Gehry and can be seen in the wellness area of the hotel.

Talking about its biggest challenges, Erik Garcia Blanco continues: “Training and engagement are key to get great results in a property as special as The Artist. We also work to improve sustainability with more green initiatives such as removing plastic containers, improving energy levels, and sourcing materials from local companies and producers as much as possible.” The future is bright for The Artist. “In the future we will continue to improve our facilities and adapt them to new times. We will also continue to engage with our art collection and expand it. It’s a great dialogue with the museum.”

Bilbao is the perfect city for a short weekend break or a longer stay to discover the Basque country with its other locations such as San Sebastian, Chillida Leku’s Park, Museo Cristóbal Balenciaga, the city of Guernica, among other iconic attractions. Reaching as far as Biarritz makes for a wonderful trip to both Spain and France.

With its impressive terrace, its remarkable architecture and attentive staff, The Artist – Grand Hotel of Art is the best in Bilbao. It’s modern, high-luxury and with a professional and mutlilingual staff (the Concierge serve offers many ways to discover the city with experiences from photography tours of Bilbao, pintxos tasting and sailing for example), it’s the perfect home to discover the rich Basque Country. Step into modernity with haute comfort at The Artist.

Beyond the incredible collection of Guggenheim, Bilbao has many other fascinating museums including the Museo Arqueológico, Etnográfico e Histórico Vasco and a museum of Fine Arts. They’re all reachable from the wonderful The Artist. So much to discover.

What are Erik Garcia Blanco’s top suggestions for cultural suggestions in Bilbao? “We recommend what locals love. Enjoying a great glass of wine in the street, coming to a gastronomic restaurant, visiting to the coast and the Rioja Region or San Sebastian and of course, dedicating at least three hours to the Guggenheim Museum.”

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