Editor's Choice: Paradores

National Tourist Inns, paradores, are hotels usually in restored castles, convents or palaces in a scenic setting although some are purpose-built modern hotels. Advance booking is advised.

A variety of hotel-type accommodation is available including apartment-hotels, hotel-residencias and motels. The term residencia denotes an establishment where dining-room facilities are not provided, although there must be provisions for the serving of breakfast and a cafe. Further information on accommodation in Barcelona and Madrid can be obtained online (website: www.barcelona-on-line.com or www.madrid-on-line.com).

Grading: Most accommodation in Spain is provided in hotels, classified from 1 to 5 stars (the few exceptions have a Gran Lujo, Grande De Luxe category); or hostels and pensiones, classified from 1 to 3 stars. It is always advisable to book accommodation well in advance, particularly during festivals or at popular resorts on the coast from late spring to October.

Pensiones are common throughout Spain and vary in quality from austere to relatively luxurious. They are usually run by the family on the premises and provide bed and board only.

There are over 1,000 campsites throughout the country, covering a wide quality and price range. Permission from the local police and landowner is essential for off-site camping and there may be no more than three tents/caravans or 10 campers in any one place. Regulations demand that off-site camping is in isolated areas only.

The Spanish Youth Hostel Network (REAJ) is the representative in Spain for the International Youth Hostel Federation and there are currently over 200 registered youth hostels throughout the whole of Spain.

Confederación Espanola de Hoteles y Alojamientos (CEHAT)
Calle Orense 32, 28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel: 9155 67112 or 9020 12141.
Website: www.cehat.com

Paradores de Turismo
Calle Requena 3, Madrid 28013, Spain
Tel: 9025 22244.
Website: www.parador.es

Federación Espanola de Empresarios de Cámpings y Ciudades de Vacaciones (ANCE)
Calle Valderribas 48, Escalera 3, 1C, 28007, Madrid, Spain
Tel: 9144 81234.
Website: www.fedcamping.com

Spanish Youth Hostel Network (REAJ)
Website: www.reaj.com

Turisme Juvenil de Catalunya in Barcelona
Calle Rocafort 116-122, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Tel: 9348 38341.
Website: www.tujuca.com