Matt
On your way to Spain? Well you’re in for a treat. It really is true, the Spanish know how to have a good time!
From bullfights, flamenco dancers and fiestas to beautiful beaches – Spain will have you well on your way to an unforgettable holiday.
Making holiday plans can be a bit daunting, especially deciding on when to go and which hotels to book – so we’ve tried to make the whole process a little easier for you:
When to go to Spain
Personally, we love visiting southern Spain in the Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November) months. The weather is usually really pleasant during the day and much cooler in the evenings.
Another added bonus of visiting Spain at this time? Well, from early October to the end of March flights are so much cheaper and almost all hotels and hostels are cheaper too!
Also, from October through May you can rest assured that the crowds at Spain’s incredible monuments are basically nonexistent.
During Summer months you can expect a lot of heat, especially in the south of Spain where beach-goers will be enjoying their summer holidays. So if you’re wanting to swim in the ocean and laze around on the beach catching a tan, then the hot summer-time or early autumn is the time you should go. Unfortunately, tourist prices will be in full swing during these months.
Hotel packages for the region of Costa del Sol, in the south of Spain, can be extremely cheap during the winter months. Unfortunately, you won’t be doing a lot of swimming in the ocean at this time of the year – unless you want to, of course! While the temperatures are fairly warm during the early fall and late spring, and people do get in the water for a swim, it’s not quite the same as the summer months.
Winter months are perfect for sightseeing in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as celebrating the Three Kings Days and February carnivals. During this time Spain can be very cheap, and is significantly warmer than some other Europe winter destinations. Making this a good time to engage in eating some great food – off season prices just make that fantastic Spanish food taste better!
On the other hand, visiting hours for major tourist sites and activities are shorter though and some cultural sites may be closed for the winter.
Spain Hotels
Hotels in Spain can be absolutely amazing – true luxury. However, you don’t need to break your bank in order to find something that suits your taste and style. What you spend is really up to you!
Your Taste And Budget Will Guide You
When traveling by yourself, or on a budget – hostels can be really inexpensive and a great way to meet new people. However, hostels often lack the amenities and features that many of us have come to expect from hotels.
A tip from us to you – pack locks for you bags. If there are facilities to lock your things away in, you won’t have to worry about your stuff every time you go exploring.
In the summer, air-conditioning becomes a very important luxury (necessity). A lot of hostels and cheap hotels lack in this department, so do double check this before making a booking.
If you are looking for a great atmosphere in your hotel, consider a parador (which is a hotel owned and administered by the Spanish government). These are often quite luxurious and make for a memorable stay.
Haven’t yet made a booking anywhere? Why not check out some of the small-town private lodgings and guesthouses (often found on Airbnb). Some are really nice and have their own unique Spanish atmosphere.
Spend As Much Or As Little As You Want
One of the great things about Spain is that there is something for everyone, and you can spend either very little (around € 30) or a huge amount (€ 1,000+) per night. It all depends on what you’re looking for!
For a quality experience with decent facilities and amenities, you can definitely expect to pay more for a hotel room in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. On the outskirts, however, you can often pay much less and get a nicer room than what you can get in the city. Plus, day trips to the city are completely possible if you do stay outside of the city.
The cheaper hotels won’t have access to luxuries such as pools or gyms. However, some may have cafes and likely even free Internet access for guests. If you just need a place to stay while you explore, you can get something very cheap!
If you are looking to spend as little as possible on accommodation, try getting to your destination early and checking out the hostels. Keep in mind that you are going to pay less in off-season than you will in the high summer season.
When staying a week in Spain, you may notice that the nightly average rate will increase slightly. This is due to the rates for a Saturday night – which usually bump up in cost significantly.
Must I Have A Reservation?
Going to Spain in the off-season? Even then, it is advised to make reservations for at least the first and last nights of your visit. The last thing you want to be doing after a long/late flight is to be looking for an available room at 9pm. Also, having accommodation sorted for your last night in Spain means one less hassle as you prepare to travel home after a great holiday.
Other than that? We think browsing for accommodation during the off-season is a great idea. This is often when you will find the best deals!
High season (late June, all of July, August and September), on the other hand, is a different story completely. We definitely recommend getting a hostel, private lodging or hotel reservation in advance.
In August most of Europe goes on holiday and if you haven’t made reservations in advance, then you may find that getting a room may be quite difficult. In such cases you may have to accept accommodation that you normally wouldn’t book in the first place – at a price you may just have to accept.
It is also VERY important to keep in mind that there are a number of local as well as national fiestas that take place in Spain. Such events can fill hotels in Spain quickly in the host cities of these festivities. A list of national holidays can be found here, however it is not uncommon to be caught off guard by local fiestas.
Car Parking
In our experience, most hotels and private lodgings offer car parking, but usually it isn’t free. If you are traveling by your own or a rental car, be sure to ask about parking ahead of time so that you can be prepared. Hostels usually don’t offer parking and you will need to find somewhere (either a street or paid parking) to park your car and walk.
Top Tips About Hotels In Spain
- Peak-season (summer): definitely best to get hotel reservations in advance, and WAY in advance for Barcelona.
- Barcelona and Madrid are busy even in winter months, so be sure to book a hotel early.
- In the more modern hostels and hotels the hall lights are activated by timer switches, so just look for a switch (button), in case you find yourself left in darkness one night.
- If you don’t have reservations you can ask to see the room before booking it for the night. Don’t worry, this is common practice in Spain.
- Stars next to a hotel, hostel, pensiones or private lodgings acknowledge the level of services available, but it does not necessarily indicate the quality of the accommodation itself.
- Cheaper hostels and hotels may require you to give your room key to the front desk when leaving so that they can clean your room.
- Some hostels may lock you in at night, However, someone will usually be available to let you in and out.
Best Hotels In Spain
Now that you have an idea of the accommodation options in Spain – and a few tips – let’s check out our favourite hotels in Spain:
La Reserva Rotana, Manacor, Majorca, Spain
This 17th-century, golden stone manor is a heavenly place of luxurious comfort, with artworks and antiques around every corner. While still a working farm, with orchards and vineyards, the estate also has a nine-hole golf course, which guests can use at no extra charge.
Guests are welcome to eat in the beautiful dining room or outside on the terrace. Alternatively, you can opt to eat outdoors in the more casual Bistro, where there are barbecues in summer, as well as live music.
This property is so incredibly Spanish, you’ll feel like you’re in a movie. Enjoy the luxurious little touches and the fantastic service – perfect for a honeymoon or a rejuvenating getaway.
Catalonia Atenas
This amazing hotel has a rooftop swimming pool, offering views of Torre Agbar and Sagrada Familia. It also offers guests free WiFi, a gym, and a spa with a Turkish bath. Talk about luxury!
Featuring a show kitchen, this hotel’s buffet breakfast is not to be missed, so be sure to set your alarm. There is a snack bar and guests can enjoy stunning city views from the pool, which is on the 11th floor.
All rooms have air conditioning, a mini-fridge, complimentary water, and satellite TV. While Glòries shopping centre can be reached in 15 minutes by foot.
The Gates Diagonal Barcelona
This amazing Barcelona hotel is an upmarket hotel located next to the Torre Agbar Tower. An impressive rooftop pool, free internet access and a restaurant will have you laid back and relaxed in no time at all.
Guests can enjoy a drink in the hotel’s stylish lobby bar before heading for a night out – or for sundowners. Guest rooms have a minibar, desk and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.
Foodies will really enjoy this hotel! The restaurant serves a range of Catalan and international cuisine. It’s central localtion also makes it an ideal place to set out on your Spanish adventures – like a Barcelona wine tour!
Best Beach Hotels In Spain
Looking for the best beach hotels Spain has to offer, so that you can spend your Spanish holiday getting that tan and chilling on the white sand? Well look no further, because here they are:
Lani’s Suites de Luxe, Lanzarote, Spain
Set on the beachfront in Puerto del Carmen, Lani’s Suites de Luxe is for travelers looking for ultimate relaxation, peace and quiet. This adults-only hotel offers an amazing swimming pool and a stunning restaurant.
Each suite has a terrace or balcony with sea views, seating area and dining area. There is a flat-screen TV, laptop safe, and coffee machine in each room too. The bathroom includes a hairdryer and bathrobes. All suites also have ocean and pool views. This is one of the best beach hotels in Spain for sure!
Seaside Palm Beach, Maspalomas
Only a 4 minutes walk from the beach this seaside hotel offers a lagoon-style swimming pool, a spa and tropical gardens. Each of the guest rooms has a furnished balcony, mini-fridge, TV and free Wi-Fi.
Activities such as yoga, tennis and water aerobics are available at no extra cost to guests. The spa includes saunas, a heated saltwater hot tub and a heated saltwater pool. Absolute Bliss.
Hotels In Southern Spain
From Barcelona to Madrid – here are the most beautiful hotels in Southern Spain:
Hotel Nuevo Madrid
This elegant hotel is located north of the city of Madrid. It offers a relaxation and fitness center, as well as a free shuttle service on the weekends.
The hotel serves a varied breakfast buffet in the stylish dining room, while the Restaurant in Nuevo Madrid serves Mediterranean food. There’s also a bar in the lobby!
This hotel is a great choice for travellers interested in monuments, sightseeing and parks.
Ilunion Barcelona
This beautiful hotel is a mere 9 minutes walk from the beach and features a rooftop swimming pool, sun terrace, and gym with stunning views of the city and the sea.
The stylish rooms include air conditioning, a work desk, flat-screen TV, and a large private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. A safe and a minibar are also available.
A stunning restaurant offers a buffet breakfast, as well as an a-la-carté or set menu. There is also a snack bar, and room service is available. An additional menu is available for guests with special dietary needs – an extra not offered by most hotels.
Conclusion
Whether you’re after affordable accommodation or to treat yourself with luxury, Spain has exactly what you are looking for. Keep our travel tips and accommodation insights in mind on when to visit Spain for a seamlessly smooth vacation.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best hotels in Spain to help you on your way!
