Axel Hotels are iconic—in every sense of the word! As the world’s very first hotel chain designed specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community, they began forging their queer legacy all the way back in 2003 with their first property in Barcelona. Since then, they’ve spread their glitter-coated wings to all our favorite gay hotspots, opening hotels in Madrid, Ibiza, Maspalomas, San Sebastián, Berlin, and Havana—and now, they’re taking on Bilbao!

For those not in the know, Bilbao is an underrated, queer, bohemian paradise nestled in a scenic valley in the Basque Country of northern Spain. With over 32,884 bookings already and an expected occupancy rate of 85% for 2025, Axel Bilbao is primed to become the epicenter of the city’s flourishing LGBTQIA+ scene.

To both celebrate and showcase their snazzy new hotel, in March 2025 they did what our community does best—throw a great party! We take a look at what went down (that’s what, not who), then sneak a peek through the doors—and between the sheets—to find out why you should book yourself into Axel Bilbao this year.

Bilbao You Better Do!

So, why Bilbao? Simply put, this underrated gem of a city has an inclusive, anything-goes philosophy—making it a perfect match for Axel Hotels.

Located in a lush valley cradled by scenic mountains, Bilbao is just a short train ride from Spain's northern coast—including the glamorous (yet undeniably more expensive) San Sebastián and Zarautz, a popular spot for sexy surfers. As any local taxi driver will tell you, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades—evolving from dangerous and dull to culturally rich and gleaming.

Bilbao has plenty to offer tourists. Its old town is a maze of cobbled streets and colorful facades, filled with restaurants selling their trademark pintxos (bread slices topped with elaborate combinations of food), and a walk down the park-lined river will take you to the Guggenheim—a piece of titanium art in itself that houses vast galleries of cutting-edge modern masterpieces. Then there’s the city’s nightlife scene, with its cool, grungy edge—and playfully trashy cross-dressing scene—which defies labels.

Axel Hotel Bilbao claims its spot along the riverside, inspiring its cheeky motto: “Te vamos a poner mirando a la ría”—or, “Let’s do it by the river.” A great place to do it, if ever there was one!

Everybody Loves a Grand Opening

Bilbao is a city known for dancing to the beat of its own drum, with a thriving, inclusive LGBTQIA+ community brimming with creative talent—and Axel Bilbao’s opening event showcased this to the world.

It played out as a tribute to all members of the queer community, with shows, art, and iconic local performers including La Otxoa (one of Spain’s original drag performers), Las Fellini (a queer art collective), and gay singer/actor Asier Etxeandía. The brand’s creative director, Kike Doatis, put the emphasis on queer art and creativity, with artists, celebrities, and icons of the LGBTQIA+ community performing for hundreds of invited guests from all corners of the industry.

The night was centered around a four-hour open house event featuring DJ sets, film projections, and performances in the rooms. Then on the rooftop, local Bilbao artist Cachorro Lozano presented a “Multifaceted Dance”—an artistic presentation created just for the occasion.

Axel Hotel Bilbao Has Both Style and Substance

As for the hotel itself: The exterior rivals even the Guggenheim with its architectural uniqueness, flair, and talent. Designed by Frank Gehry himself (the Guggenheim architect), the building serves industrial chic while maintaining the clean-cut style associated with the Axel brand.

But as with a lot in life, it’s what’s inside that counts—and Axel Hotel Bilbao delivers there too. The spacious rooms mimic the city’s industrial style with just the right touch of class, and come fully equipped with a minibar and gorgeous ensuite bathrooms.

Downstairs, you’ll find a restaurant-bar and wellness center. Voyeurs, rejoice—because the area has the unique feature of stained glass windows allowing guests in the restaurant to see into the steam room, sauna, showers, and jacuzzi… and vice versa.

Meanwhile, up on the rooftop is a solarium and a bar from which you can see the whole of the old town, including the estuary below. The bar has a good supply of the local txakolí wines, and the pool has a retractable glass cover to account for the region’s sometimes temperamental weather.

Axel Hotels for the Future

Axel Hotels isn't slowing down anytime soon. With ten hotels already in operation and others opening soon in Valencia and Porto (Portugal), the brand continues to grow its LGBTQIA+ empire. And as the brand expands, so does its unapologetic celebration of identity, pleasure, and style. “Inclusivity is sexy” and “good vibes only” are their mottos, and, if Axel Hotel Bilbao is anything to go off, we believe them!

So, whether you’re in Bilbao for the pintxos, Guggenheim, drag icons, street culture, or just some stained glass voyeurism by the jacuzzi, stay at the Axel Hotel Bilbao and experience a city where queer joy is part of the skyline and love is found down by the river.