Practical information : Accomodation Spain
Budget & Tips
From boarding houses to luxury hotels, youth hostels, camping sites and excellent two-star hotels, the range of accommodation is very wide. And prices will of course vary depending on the type of accommodation. For those on a budget, the price of a bed in a dormitory varies on average from 15 to 30 € per person and a double room in a pensión costs around 50 €. But you can also stay very comfortably in a charming two-star hotel for around €80 for a double room. From 150 €, you can enter a "de luxe", knowing that for the most prestigious, prices can soar to 800 € and more. The top of the range corresponds to the strong tourist season, rather from April to June and from September to the end of October, for the cities and the summer months for the coasts. Major events such as Semana Santa, fallas, ferias, big congresses, a big game or a festival... make the prices soar and can easily double. Prices increase, but to a lesser extent, during the holiday season. And more and more hotels are charging different rates for different days of the week, cheaper from Sunday to Thursday and more expensive on Friday and Saturday. To find a lower price, don't hesitate to look for promotions on websites. Be aware that in July and August, the "off season" for a city without sea, but with strong heat, prices can decrease very strongly. For hotels, the 10% VAT (IVA) is more and more often included in the prices, but don't hesitate to specify it when booking. Also remember to specify whether parking is included or not.
To be booked
If you are planning to come to Seville during one of the city's highlights, such as its Semana Santa, the San Sebastián Festival or the Flamenco Biennial, it will not only be expensive but complicated. Because the city is crowded and the amateurs make a long time in advance. Up to a year in advance if they have a specific hotel in mind, or even a private room (allowing them to see some pasos, for example). If you are less picky, a few months will suffice, but forget about arriving without a reservation. To a lesser extent, the bridges of May and the weekends of September and October are also very busy, so it is best to make a reservation one month in advance.
What's very local
Many hotels and apartments have balconies and terraces. Unless you are a very light sleeper, you should opt for rooms with balconies, which will give you a front row seat to the action. Whatever the category, many hotels in the south or on the Mediterranean coast also have terraces, carefully arranged on the top floor. You can admire the surroundings, have a drink, sit in a deckchair and even take a shower if it's very hot. And there's nothing to stop you from having a drink on the terrace of another hotel. Spain also has a very good network of rural casas installed in old buildings, very well renovated (https://www.casasrurales.net/). And of course, on the luxury side, a magnificent network of paradores. These are often very beautiful monuments like the Parador de Leon installed in a superb Renaissance building or the Alhambra, located in the heart of the fortress. But there are also modern buildings or those that take up the classical architecture of a region. And they will always be very well located. Don't hesitate to follow the regular promotions that make them more accessible during the off-season (https://www.parador.es).
For food lovers
At the hotel, breakfast(desayuno) is usually taken from 7am to 10am, sometimes until 11am on weekends. For a black coffee, it will be a cafe solo, and a cafe con leche for a cream. Often accompanied by a zumo de naranja natural (fresh orange juice) and tostadas (slices of toasted bread) that can be spread with tomato puree and oil. Churros are sometimes offered but not always. Most hotels offer breakfast as an extra charge, but it is rare that the price (about 8 €) is justified. It is better to try it once and if not, go to a bar across the street that will serve you the same thing for half the price. On the other hand, they are often plentiful and delicious in the casas rurales
Smokers
It is prohibited in a closed public place. But you can smoke on the balcony and terrace.
Tourist traps
Beware of illegal rentals of apartments or rooms in large cities. All of them must have a tourist license to be rented. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the renter for his license number.