Stay at Maria's place! She is an excellent host (attentive, accessible, and enthusiastic about helping people get the most out of their stay)! The apartment was great - clean and comfortable. It has two bedrooms and a futon in the living room which can comfortably house many people depending on how much privacy you need. There is a smaller third room, but I am not sure if it is large enough for a bed (we used it to the hang dry our clothes and store our luggage). The location is terrific - short walking distance to cafes, a supermarket, and the metro. Casco Viejo (old town) is great for pintxos and eating outside. If you are up for a longer walk the Guggenheim is about 2 miles away. We had a great time discovering Bilbao. Using the apartment as a home base we also took the bus to Madrid for a night, a day trip to San Sebastián, and a little road trip to Asturias. This area of Spain is rich with beauty!