This Site best viewed at 800x600

more links

The FAQ:
Officially there are only three categories of accommodations in Spain-- hoteles, pensiones and hostales. In fact, rooming establishments go by a variety of names.

Pensiones - generally basic, well-used rooms, no-air conditioning, shared bathroom. Guest rooms may be small, have a sink but lack a towel, and they don't take credit cards. Most likely staff will not speak English.

This basically described the pension I stay at in Malaga. It was a large room, but plaster chunks missing from the wall had just been painted over rather than patched. I did have a sink, and the total cost for the night was about 15€ for my single.

You can find pensiones for one person as low as 12€ per night during the off season. A couple during high season can pay 30€. Pensiones and hostals are often only around the corner from more expensive hotels.

Durng March in Malaga I had difficulty finding a vacancy. I ended up making reservations at a nice hotel for the following day and spent my first night in Malaga at a 15 € a night pension. What type of room do you get for 15€ a night? Well, a room with a lumpy mattress and plaster chunks missing from the wall. Still, the pension was right next door to a nicer hotel, and the clerk did watch the front door closely.

Hostels- Generally known as youth hostels but families can often stay too. To book Hostels try this booking engine from 'Hostel World'.

Hostales - Generally have nicer rooms than the pensiones. Some hostales are very nice (One of Spain's best hotels, the Parador of Santiago de Compostela is actually called the Hostal de Dos Reis Catolicos.) and like pensiones are usually family owned. Some hostales have private baths, generally with towels but no washcloths; a few have air-conditioning. You are more likely to find staff that speaks English at a hostal than a pension.

When travelling alone, I generally tried to find hostales to spend the night. Rates run from 12€ to 120 + euros, depending on quality. You are more likely to find nice hostales, at a resonalble cost, in the smaller cities. Click here to see some vid. caps. of a hostal in Madrid.
Use the Hostel World's Hostal Booking Engine (Note: This booking engine will give different results than the hostel booking engine above.)

Note: Many Hostales and Pensiones lock their doors at night and lack room locks that automatically unlock from the inside. (see "where should I stay?")

Hostales Residencia -Basically same as above. I have heard two explanations for the "residencia" label; Explanation No. 1, a hostal that doesn't have a restaurant. Explanation No. 2 and the one that makes the most sense to me, the hostal is promoting long-term renting of the rooms.

Hoteles - (Hotels) All rooms generally have private bathrooms, can be very luxurious, and most have air-conditioning--a must for summer traveling.

When traveling with my family, we stay in hotels. Generally, with the exception of the cheapest hotels, hotels in tourist areas will have an English-speaking person at the desk. Price range 25 to 900 €. Click here to see some photos of a mid-price hotel in Madrid.

Paradores de turismo - a state-run chain of high-class hotels, converted mansions, castles, monasteries and palaces. Price approx. 75€ and up. To include one of these in your visit, do make reservations early; it is not unusual for paradores to be booked up 6 months in advance. Paradores can be booked throught Madrid and Beyond.

More hotel FAQ, Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4.

Hotel FAQ, Page 1 of 4:

Where should I stay?

Must I make a hotel reservation?

When is the best time to go?

Will hotel staff speak English?

How much should I expect to pay?

Will car parking be avialable at the hotel?

Other tips and observations.

Use AutoEurope for Car Rental

Links to:

Madrid Hostales

Granada Hotales

Toledo Hostales

Camping guides:

vaya camping

intercamping

'Hostal World' refered to them as Camping Sites. I would call it a list of rustic / rural, resorts with cabin bookings.