San Sebastian, Spain

The weather can be cold and wet along the Basque coast until you get into July/August; plan accordingly. In San Sebastian (Donostia is more appropriate with the locals) we stayed at Pension Bellas Artes (943-474-905). The owners (a woman and her mother) are fantastic. They are better than the best TI for recommendations about food, sights, walks, etc. The room was great, certainly one of the nicest we stayed in during our trip, with two caveats: There was a LOT of noise from the street. We were there during France's spring break and there was loud partying in the street literally all night. Hopefully it will be better in May. As nice as this place is, it was the worst night's sleep because of the noise. At 117 euros, it was our most expensive room the entire trip. It's a little cheaper outside of high season (spring break was high season for pricing but May might not be). We stayed at many nice hotels and many budget hotels around Spain - This was the only room over 100 euros. 117 may not sound like a lot but in Spain, it's up there with all but the nicest hotels and Paradores.

How long does that bus take getting from San Sebastian to Barcelona? It's about 570 KM between them, but according to Google, it would take about 5 hours driving time and what I could tell, that's faster than the train or a plane.

We spent a few days in Basque country a couple of years ago. We stayed in a place just outside of San Sebastian called Hotel Obispo in Honderribia. http://www.hotelobispo.com/idiomas/ing/hotel-in-hondarribia.htm
Absolutely LOVED it. It is an old bishops palace complete with gargoyles watching over you! Our room had a view that looked out over the French Pyrranies.Very reasonable. Honderribia is a small walled town and easy to walk around in and lots of opportunities for tapas. We drove the couple of miles to San Sebastian but I later learned we could've caught a bus which would've been easier (parking). The beach at San Sebastian is beautiful. Another thing we did that we loved is to drive across the border to France to St. Jean De Luz. Lovely little town. We also visited a little bakery that is in an old flour mill. It is called Moulin de Bassilour. Very picturesque. We had read about it in RS tour book and followed his directions to get there...it's off the beat and track but not far. We found that region to be very charming and beautiful and we can't wait to go back. Next time we'll plan extra time to do some hiking in the the Pyrranies.

We spent a few days in Basque country a couple of years ago. We stayed in a place just outside of San Sebastian called Hotel Obispo in Honderribia. http://www.hotelobispo.com/idiomas/ing/hotel-in-hondarribia.htm
Absolutely LOVED it. It is an old bishops palace complete with gargoyles watching over you! Our room had a view that looked out over the French Pyrranies.Very reasonable. Honderribia is a small walled town and easy to walk around in and lots of opportunities for tapas. We drove the couple of miles to San Sebastian but I later learned we could've caught a bus which would've been easier (parking). The beach at San Sebastian is beautiful. Another thing we did that we loved is to drive across the border to France to St. Jean De Luz. Lovely little town. We also visited a little bakery that is in an old flour mill. It is called Moulin de Bassilour. Very picturesque. We had read about it in RS tour book and followed his directions to get there...it's off the beat and track but not far. We found that region to be very charming and beautiful and we can't wait to go back. Next time we'll plan extra time to do some hiking in the the Pyrranies.

Thank you both for giving me some ideas, I really appreciate your feedback. The Hotel Obispo looks very interesting..still checking out where to stay and now you've given me another place to put on my list. And the bakery sounds very interesting...we weren't planning on renting a car, but maybe we should...so much to see and so little time!

We stayed at the Pension Edorta in the old part of San Sebastian. We took a bus trip to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim. I love the building and the art it houses, but the scenery along the way was also fascinating. This is not your arid Spain. It is quite hilly and green. The pension's address indicates that it is a B&B, but we did not eat there. If you go to their website, ours was the room with the green wall. It was plenty big enough and had a very nice bathroom. We stayed 2 nights and had a fabuous meal at Bodegon Alejandro, but there are many good places to stay and to eat in the old part of town. Go one direction and you are at the beach. Go another and you are at a central park location where city buses can take you to the bus for Bilbao.

it's been a long time but the hotel where we stayed in San Sebastian is still highly rated. Hotel de Londres is well-located right on the picturesque bay with a restaurant and bar. Our room was very spacious with a great view.

Thanks all for your input...tickets are bought..flying into Bilbao for LAX staying one night since we will arrive late in the afternoon. Then we will spend 3 nights in Hondarribia in either the Hotel Obispo or Parador de Hondarribia- have reservations in both just have to decide which one then will cancel the other one.
Talking about renting a car after Bilbao, or should we just use public transport? Vacillating back and forth, what are the pluses and minuses?

Hi Robin, I second what Brad wrote,The Bellas Artes is great and Leira and her mother know the restaurant scene very well,she will give you a card for the restaurant that you are going to and get great treatment and service when you arrive. Mike
Shingle Springs,Ca