Palacio Arriluce hotel

Every urban area has its nearby escapes where city dwellers of means can get away and relax. In the case of Bilbao, it’s Getxo, a seaside village where the industrial bourgeoisie built vacation villas at the turn of the century. One of the most notable was a palace on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Biscay, an English-style landmark that’s since been transformed into the Palacio Arriluce Hotel. The aristocratic interiors have been carefully restored, the croquet lawn is perfectly manicured, the quaint library is stocked with rare books, and the spa pays homage to the neighborhood’s history as a wellness retreat. But bold updates, including the choice to turn the palace’s old chapel into a cocktail bar, give Palacio Arriluce a modern edge.

Many rooms and suites are located in the original mansion, and feature period details like stained-glass panels, coffered walls, and wood-paneled window seats with sea views. Others in the adjacent pergola building come with private patios and gardens partly shaded by a stone colonnade. Across the board, the look is elegant and refined, with chevron wood flooring, high ceilings, velvet furnishings, and a nautical-inspired blue and white color palette. Breakfast is served, when weather permits, on a stone terrace facing the harbor, and a seasonal pool overlooks the bay. In colder weather, Palacio Arriluce’s cavernous wine cellar is a cozy spot for tasting local wines.