This icon of contemporary luxury in the Basque capital has entered into a new phase, consolidating its position as a meeting point for the arts, culture and creativity in a constantly evolving cosmopolitan city.
The comprehensive refurbishment that took place earlier this year, led by Foraster Architects studio, has adapted this well-established hotel to suit modern times whilst maintaining the hallmark characteristics created during its construction 16 years ago by Javier Mariscal and Fernando Salas.
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
New momentum at the hotel loved by architects and artists
An example of modern architecture in the new Bilbao alongside the creations of geniuses such as Foster, Gehry or Moneo, Gran Hotel Domine enters a new stage of its life, opening its doors to the people of Bilbao and consolidating itself as the 5-star hotel par excellence in the city.
Located in the iconic Art District, surrounded by the Guggenheim and Bellas Artes museums, the Iberdrola Tower and the Euskalduna Palace, it is only a five-minute walk from the commercial area and just 15km from Bilbao airport (LOIU). All this makes it an excellent base from which to explore the capital of Biscay and its surroundings.
Only a few meters from the Guggenheim, today the hotel continues to strengthen its ties with contemporary art, expanding its collection of paintings and sculptures. Gran Hotel Domine has commissioned the renowned Swedish studio Humans Since 1982 to tailor its innovative “A Million Times 120” kinetic installation for the lobby. By bringing this artistic creation to the city, the hotel is sharing an astounding piece of moving art with all of its citizens; a project that plays with time through the synchronisation of 120 clocks and the magical choreography of their hands, which captures the viewer’s attention until it eventually comes to show the exact time.
The magnificent Fossil Cypress in the atrium has been given a grander setting with the installation of a pond that reflects its imposing silhouette. Created by Mariscal and composed of more than 80 thousand stones from the river, this is an imposing piece of work, 26 meters in height and weighing 90 tons, occupying the entire height of the building, from the skylight to the crown of the terrace.
GASTRONOMY AND LEISURE
Breakfasts with the best views
An essential stop on the most cosmopolitan route in Bilbao, Gran Hotel Domine offers its guests various special spaces such as the breakfast terrace with impressive panoramic views of the city, where they can have their first coffee of the day overlooking the Ría and the Guggenheim whilst waving at Koons´ Puppy.
This exquisite culinary offer for breakfast includes a wide range of top quality local produce and homemade recipes. All this comes with an á la carte service offering the customer satisfaction and comfort.
The new lobby bar Sixty-One
The new bar, Sixty-One, is reminiscent of the atmosphere of London or New York. Sixty-One is the number of the hotel on Alameda de Mazarredo and it is a cozy and versatile lobby bar where guests can enjoy sophisticated cocktails and delicious snacks. Its various and distinct areas provide for different needs and moods and make it a perfect spot for both relaxing and for informal gatherings. Working at an impressive 4.20m marble table in a unique setting is a real luxury.
Tradition and modernity are intertwined at the Beltz restaurant
Gran Hotel Domine also offers the Beltz restaurant (Beltz means black in Euskera). Helmed by Abel Corrall, Beltz offers seasonal cuisine with Basque roots and international touches, largely influenced by the local produce and culture.
Corral, a 36-year old from Bilbao and chef of the Gran Hotel Domine since February 2016, is a protégé of some of the best chefs in Spain. After starting in the kitchen at 14, helping in his father´s restaurant, Corral graduated from the Hotel Management School in Bilbao. His career was further developed in restaurants such as Mugraritz, with Andoni Luis Aduriz, Guggenheim (now known as Nerua) with Josean Alika, El Bulli with Ferran Adrià, Larrea Palace with Aitor Elizegui and Azurmendi with Eneko Atxa. At the Gran Hotel Domine, he has been able to work with Martin Berasategui.
Urban cooking at Bistro Le Café
Bistro Le Café offers a casual atmosphere where delicious dishes prepared with specially selected fresh products from the region are served. With the best view of Jeff Koons´ Puppy, you can enjoy an exquisite range of coffee throughout the day.
The inspiration is drawn from the geometric abstraction of the De Stijl movement, led by Mondrian. The ceiling panels are crossed with lines of light forming a checkerboard of whites, blacks and greys.
ROOMS & SUITES
Spacious and bright rooms where every detail is treated with care
The 145 rooms at the Gran Hotel Domine, completely refurbished in 2017, stand out for their spaciousness and light and for their elegant and timeless style. Many of them feature views of the Guggenheim Museum, with luxury amenities, bathrobes, a twice-daily hospitality service and the latest technology to ensure maximum comfort.
The 10 impressive Suites – the majority of which come with a private terrace above the Guggenheim – provide exclusive care and spacious environments that will enchant guests with their warm and cosmopolitan design. Art has a special presence here thanks to Javier Mariscal´s original canvasses and the suites invite the guests to enjoy a unique experience together with many welcoming details and signature Dyptique bath products.
The Penthouse Suite, the most exclusive suite available, is undoubtedly one of the hotel´s greatest attractions. The 80 square metre room, with an additional 20 square metres of the terrace on top of the Gehry building make this suite a real jewel in the centre of Bilbao. It also includes butler service and the highest level of personalised service to satisfy even the most demanding of guests.
WELLBEING
Wellness by Domine is another innovation offered by the hotel. It offers a relaxation zone with a sauna and steam room to activate, detox and rejuvenate the body. It is a space dedicated to well-being and inner peace where guests will find the ideal place to switch off and relax. Guests may also enjoy all kinds of relaxing massages and personalised therapeutic health and beauty treatments.
Gym
The only gym in Bilbao with views of the Guggenheim Museum. The gym contains 100 m2 of space dedicated to health and wellbeing and is fully equipped with the latest Technogym equipment for cardiovascular and strength training and stretching.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Thanks to their team of experts, exclusive services, and luxury facilities, an event at Gran Hotel Domine is guaranteed to make any meeting or celebration an unforgettable occasion.
The hotel offers the all amenities for holding meetings and events of all kinds in an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere. Equipped with all the necessary facilities and the most innovative technology, the 6 multi-purpose rooms at the hotel provide natural light and can be completely personalized to suit all kinds of family events, business meetings or conventions.
