Hotels in Spain
The selection of hotels in Spain is really extraordinary, with options from ancient historical buildings built by conquering cultures through to completely modern chain-type hotels, or quaint types of bed and breakfast accommodations. For the most part, the budget you are traveling with will determine what type and level of hotel you choose while traveling through Spain on business or pleasure.
Hotels in Spain tend to be located throughout the city, often close to the cultural and entertainment centers. Often the hotels are within easy walking distance of most of the major attractions as well as transportation routes, which is different than the more remote hotels in cities in North America. In addition, the features offered by the hotels in Spain will vary based on the type of hotel, the age of the hotel, as well as the typical cost per night of the hotel. Just like hotels everywhere, the more exclusive and personalized the service and rooms are in the hotel, the higher the per night cost will be. (more…)
March 21, 2008
Villas to Rent in Spain
There are several different ways to rent villas in Spain. One of the most common ways is to use a property management website that lists villas that are managed by a company based on region, features or location to attractions. Another way is to rent a villa privately directly from the owner through either recommendations from other travelers or through owner managed villa rental websites. Typically, the major property management companies will not host private owner villa rentals on their sites as they are trying to promote their own properties.
In Spain, a villa is a general term used for a detached type of home that is typically located on a landscaped yard and garden that is representative of a moderate to luxurious type of home. Many of the villas in Spain that are available as rentals will include amenities such as swimming pools, outdoor patios and beautifully landscaped gardens, wireless internet, satellite television, heating and air conditioning in all rooms, gourmet kitchen facilities and exquisite interior decoration and design. (more…)
March 3, 2008
Self Catering Accommodation in Spain
Self catering accommodation in Spain typically consists of houses, condos, apartments, farmhouses or cottages that are available for rental directly between the owner and the guest. There are several websites that provide pictures and descriptions of properties as well as their general location and offer a managed way of the guest and the owner working together to develop a rental agreement.
Self catering accommodations are different from hotels or bed and breakfasts in that the guest is actually assuming all aspects of the rental, the owner provides the building and contents and nothing else in the way of services except as outlined by the contractual agreement. This means that the guest or renter will be responsible for cleaning the property as required, buying groceries, preparing meals and other tasks and chores as required. This is really a chance to live in a home that is virtually your own for the length of the rental. Since the home owner is not providing any additional services and there is no staff required, the cost of self catering accommodations is often much more reasonable than staying at a hotel, bed and breakfast or a villa where staff is provided. Of course may renters choose to hire cleaning staff while they are at the property, but this is typically done outside of the owner’s contract. (more…)
February 14, 2008
Bed and Breakfast in Spain
For a relaxing and quiet stay in Spain that is often much less expensive than a hotel you may want to consider a bed and breakfast. A bed and breakfast, known informally as a B & B, is a smaller room or accommodation within a larger family home. In Spain, a bed and breakfast is called a Casa Rural since they have traditionally been located outside of the major cities in the country and rural areas. Not all Casas Rurales are located in the remote areas of the countryside, many of the newer Casa Rural accommodations are located in the smaller villages and towns around the major tourist areas.
In some areas such as Galicia, the Casa Rural accommodations or bed and breakfasts are inspected and licensed just as hotels and other accommodations are. In other regions of Spain they are less controlled and it may be more likely that the accommodations will be simple rather than elaborate and more hotel like in presentation and type. (more…)
January 6, 2008
Vacation Rentals Spain
For those visitors planning to spend more than a day or two in one area of Spain, a vacation rental may be a low cost form of accommodation. A villa or small or large house, condo or apartment may be just what you are looking for if you want to have more privacy and freedom than is offered in a typical hotel or bed and breakfast. A vacation rental is typically a home or condo that is very well maintained, located in a popular area, often along a major transportation route, and allows the guest to have a home away from home for the duration of their holiday.
Since the vacation rental home or villa offers the possibility of cooking your own meals, doing laundry and even just enjoying time in the courtyard or garden of the home it is often much less expensive than staying in a hotel or other type of accommodation. With so many different areas of Spain, deciding what you want to do on your vacation will impact on where you choose to stay. (more…)
October 8, 2007
Apartments Spain
While most people spend their holidays in Spain in a hotel, many people, especially families with kids, prefer to rent an apartment. Spain offers a very wide choice in rental apartments, both of the apartment hotel type (“apartoteles”) and independent, often privately-owned, apartments. You’ll find apartments of all sizes, although the most common will take between 4 and 6 occupants.
Most of these apartments are to be found on the coast, although it is becoming more and more common to rent an apartment in a big city - Barcelona is probably the city with the most complete supply of apartments for rent.
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September 21, 2007
Accommodation Spain
When they hear the phrase “Accommodation in Spain”, most people immediately think of a hotel on the beach. There are indeed many hotels at the seaside, but the offer of accommodation in Spain is in fact much more varied and stimulating.
But perhaps the greatest attraction of accommodation in Spain is that the average hotel, or apartment, or villa, is still not prohibitively expensive. Although there are many luxury – and expensive – accommodations to be had, you can still find excellent value almost everywhere. In fact, if you travel with some kind of package deal, you can find extremely cheap accommodation in Spain, especially on the coast.
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