Accommodation In Spain

Reasonably priced rooms are still widely available in Andalucia, and growing! In almost town now you will be able to get a simple double for around 25-35, a single for 20 or less. Rooms en-suite bath or shower start at just above these prices. Only in major resorts and some “tourist cities”, like Granada, Seville or Madrid, will you pay over the average price.

As a general rule all you need to do is  locate the main square, town hall or cathedral of any town, to find suitable accommodation for your stay in Spain.

In Spain, unlike many other countries, you don’t appear to pay more for a central location though you do tend to get a comparatively bad deal if you are traveling on your own, single rooms are considerably sparce.

Be prepared to haggle for your room to be reduced on price if you are traveling in Spain alone.

One thing you will need to master when traveling in Spain is the elaborate variety of types and places to stay.

Any problems with overcharging, ask for the Official Complaints Book (Libro de Reclamaciones), all establishments must keep one by law

Fondas, Pensiones, Hostales, Hoteles

The most basic and least expensive of all the accommocation types in Spain is the Fondas (most identifiable by a square blue sign with a white F on it), closely followed by Casa de Húespedes (CH on a similar sign), Pensiones, (P) and, less commonly, Hospedajes. Distinctions between all of these are rather blurred, but in general you’ll often find food is served at both the Fondas and Pensiones. Casa de Húespedes were traditionally for longer stays and are known to us Brits as “guesthouses”. This type of accommodation is more commonly known to be for the older generation and found on family seaside resorts.

As Spain upgrades its tourist facilities, both Fondas and Casa de Húespedes are gradually disappearing and being replaced with modern accommodation, they are now very rare.

Slightly more expensive but far more common are Hostales (marked as Hs) and hostal-residencies (HsR). These are categorised from one to three stars, but even so prices can vary from lcoation to location – in general the more remote, the less expensive. Most Hostales offer good functional rooms, usually with a private shower, and, for doubles at least, they can be excellent value. The residencia designation means no meals other than perhaps breakfast are served.

Moving up the scale you finally have Hotelese (H), again star-rated by the authorities (from one to five). One-Star Hotels cost no more than three-star Hostales – sometimes they can be less expensive! Three-Stars and you start paying a lot more, and at four or five you are at the luxury end of the market. Near the top end of the scale there is also luxury hotel chains, these are state run, Paradores of Spain, beautiful places, often converted from Castles. Monasteries and other minor Spanish Monuments. If you can splash out then Paradores are almost all wonderful. Even if you cannot afford to stay the buildings themselves are worth a look, and usually have pleasant classic bars and restaurants, open to nonresidents.