If you want to be close to the old town without all of the noise and distractions, Hotel Sirimiri is the place to be. The staff were extremely helpful (without being completely overbearing) and the hotel had everything we were after - comfortable beds, large room, good shower and toilet and, as was commented on by a previous reviewer, superb towels. A breakfast was available but we didn't use this at all. The tram stop for a great trip to various stops in Bilbao was just across the road, and a brilliant fresh food market was perhaps a minute's walk across and along the road. We stayed for three nights and had no complaints at all. And all at a very reasonable price, the huge bonus being that you're on the doorstep to the super old town area and an easy walk to almost anything in Bilbao (including the Guggenheim...perhaps 25 minutes leisurely stroll). I'd definitely stay again.

We decided against the Hotel Ripa because of the TripAdvisor reviews and unimpresssive performance when tryinmg to book a room on the phone (my non-existent Spanish was better than their English).

We were very pleased with the Sirimiri. It was quiet, unlike hotels in the Casco Viejo, but it was only five minutes walk from the lively bars and restaurants in Casco Viejo. Our room was big and newly decorated in a rather delicious orange colour. The bathroom was large, light and fresh. The reception staff were extremely pleasant and helpful.

At 70 euros a night we thought it very good value.

Breakfast wasn't much good, but it's much better to go to a bar, where the coffee is always delicious and the tostados are also good.

The best restaurant we ate at was the Arriaga, in the Casco Viejo.

I wouldn't advise Bilbao in Februar: it rained almost non-stop, except when it snowed. This made the comfortable Sirimiri rooms even more welcome.

We chose Hotel Sirimiri after reading the comments of various Bilbao hotels on the Trip Advisor website. Although it is not bang in the centre of the city its location is good and it is less than a 10 minute stroll along the river (looking at the shops and the Ribera market) to the Teatro Arriaga. If you don't fancy the walk then the Atxuri tram stop is literally round the corner and the 3€ day pass will take you all over the city.

Our triple room was simply but adequately furnished and the bathroom clean. Lots of large towels! The hotel is in a quiet street just off the main road and the Museum of Sacred Art and an attractive church are next door (worth a visit). The hotel staff were polite, very friendly and spoke good English. We did not have breakfast there although it looked OK. We went instead to a small cafe opposite where the three of us had coffee and tortillas for a grand total of 6€! Friendly cafe owner who also spoke good English.

We visited all the sites and it is worth taking the funicular (in Plaza Funicular off Calle Castanos on the other side of the Zubizuri bridge) up Mt Artxanda from where there are wonderful views of the city, the river and the surroundings hills and, of course, the Guggenheim.

There seem to be quite a few reasonably priced hotels in Bilbao but we chose Sirimiri as it is slightly away from the main hustle and bustle because our guide book (Flying Visits to Spain) warned of the late night revellers in the main squares. Our visit coincided with a national holiday and the old town was certainly animated, but everyone was good humoured and the Bilbaoans are very friendly and helpful.

Hotel Sirimiri was fairly quiet, apart from a loose manhole cover which clonked every time a vehicle went over it! We pointed this out to Julian at the reception who promised he would contact someone to get it fixed!

All in all we would recommend using Hotel Sirimiri if you are looking for a reasonably priced, clean, no frills hotel.

The Sirimiri has a most pleasant and helpful atmosphere. The staff speak English which also helps. The hotel is also situated right at the heart of the action in Bilbao.It would be hard to get a better hotel for the price.

Tom from Ireland.