Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao

With its unique glass façade placed directly opposite Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, this cool design hotel allows you to drink in the ever-changing colours of Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad masterpiece.

The hotel itself is a kind of prelude to the contemporary arts museum, too – from its towering pillar sculpture of white stones in the lobby to the contemporary paintings that brighten the minimalist, white-and-charcoal rooms (some with premium ‘Guggenheim views’).

There’s no better way to start the day than digging into the Domine’s extensive breakfast on its lovely roof terrace, which becomes an excellent Basque restaurant after dark.

Hands-on staff and a well-equipped gym top off this superb base – a stylish and modern base in arts-obsessed Bilbao.