Where to marry in Bilbao
Where to marry in Bilbao
The iconic Hotel Carlton has been one of Bilbao’s imperatives since 1926 –especially for weddings– and continues as such today more than ever. The class, elegance, and history of this five-star hotel are present at every wedding-related event, giving them a certain grandeur that is hard to put into words.
The hotel’s well-prepared facilities can handle all of the phases of the wedding, so that all of them can be enjoyed with time: in the event of a civil wedding, it will be held in the Arias Hall; the cocktail reception will take place in La Cristalera Hall; the great banquet will be served in absolute privacy in the Imperial Hall, and the dance and party can go on until dawn in the Azul Hall. Those who wish to also have a more relaxed space can reserve sole use of The Bunker, the elegant English bar that once was a bomb shelter and in which the Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government) presided over governmental sessions during the bombings of the Spanish Civil War, when the hotel became the seat of the Basque Government.
The hotel’s food is, along with its personal attention, what is most applauded of the weddings held at the Carlton. In terms of the cocktail reception, in addition to serving irresistible appetizers such as Japanese-style scallop skewers and quail legs marinated in tempura sauce, the hotel gives the bride and the groom the option of installing themed stations with Italian food, ham, sandwiches & small bites, sweets & chocolates, and even a beer station. As for the banquet, the chef and his team have a wide variety of menus to choose from that are completely customizable and include delights such as carabinero prawn ravioli with shiitake mushrooms and thickened kombu broth, roasted seabass with European spider crab couscous and creamy tikka masala, or the glazed Wagyu beef cheeks with black truffle puree and teriyaki sauce. All of that can be washed down with excellent choices such as Itsasmendi 7 txakoli and Áster Finca el Otero from Ribera del Duero.
In addition, the events department will be in charge of providing everything necessary to top off the celebration however the bride and groom wish, as there is a wedding planner service available, as well as a guest book, candy bar, specialty lighting, DJ, and flower arrangements, among other services. The newlyweds will also be invited to spend the night of their wedding in one of the hotel’s suites and, if there are more than 180 guests, they will be invited to the Imperial Suite – the largest of all the Basque Country. With a surface area measuring 250 m2 and a terrace overlooking Federico Moyúa Square, this suite has two double bedrooms, an audiovisual and reading lounge with a library, a bathroom with a jacuzzi, a fitness room with a steam bath, and a dining room and kitchen with exclusive waiter and cook services. With this plethora of amenities, it is no wonder that so many couples say “I do” to tie the knot at the Hotel Carlton.
Hotel Carlton
Plaza Federico Moyúa 2, Bilbao.
Tel.: +34 944 162 200
