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Where to Stay in Spain
Types of Accommodation in Spain: Where to Stay on Your Spanish Vacation

By Damian Corrigan, About.com

Spain has an abundance of accommodation available - no matter what level of comfort and price you are used to, there'll be accommodation that's right for you in Spain.

Accommodation in Spain may include:

  • Budget hotels and dormitory backpackers hostels
  • Mid-priced hotels & pensiones or hosteles
  • Five-star luxury hotels
  • Home Exchange and Couchsurfing
  • Casas rurales
Read on for information on each of these accommodation types in Spain.

Budget hotels and backpackers hostels in Spain

If you're short of cash, or you'd rather spend your money on other pursuits, you'll be pleased to learn there are plenty of budget hotels in Spain. Most touristy cities will have a couple of backpackers hostel (where you usually sleep in a dormitory), while there's also the state-run youth hostels.

Mid-priced hotels & pensiones or hosteles in Spain

This is probably the most common form of hotel in Spain. Can I recommend a good one? They're all pretty much the same! You can expect most (but not all) to have air conditioning (check!) and the general conveniences you'll need, but without the fancy stuff that you won't. The best prices can be found by just turning up and inquiring about rooms, but for peace of mind, book in advance.

One of the most important things to bear in mind is location, especially in the bigger cities. Read about the various locations of hotels in Madrid below.

Five-Star Luxury Hotels in Spain

If it's luxury you're after, Spain has it aplenty. Perhaps the most famous hotels in Spain are the Reina Victoria and the Ritz in Madrid and San Sebastian's Londres y de Inglaterra, though the services in the latter are not what they once were.

Home Exchange and Couchsurfing in Spain

A home exchange is a great way to get what would normally be expensive accommodation during high season.

If you don't have a home to swap, maybe you could just borrow someone's couch for a few days (known as 'couchsurfing'). Your host should also act as a handy guide to your destination.

Check out my page on Home Exchange and Couchsurfing for more details.

Casas Rurales in Spain

Casas Rurales are country houses that can range from a room in a modest house in the middle of nowhere to a stately manor. Prices vary accordingly.
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