Spain Other Types Of Accommodations

Spanish accommodations have many aliases distinguished by the different grades of rooms. The cheapest and barest options are casas de huéspedes and hospedajes. While pensiones and fondas (like a B&B) tend to be a bit nicer, all are essentially just boarding houses; these establishments provide basic and well-used rooms with a shared bath, possibly a sink, but no A/C. Another relatively comfortable option is the hostal, which provides sheets and lockers. The government rates hostales on a two-star system, and even one-star establishments can be quite comfortable. Hostal owners tend to dip below official rates in the off season (Sept.-May), so bargain away.

The highest-priced accommodations are hoteles, which have a bathroom in each room but are usually on the pricey side, and rated with one to five stars. The top-notch hotels are the government Paradores Nacionales— castles, palaces, convents, and historic buildings that have been converted into luxurious hotels. They often are interesting sights in their own right.

In Portugal, pensões, also called residencias, are a budget traveler’s mainstay. They are cheaper than hotels and only slightly more expensive than youth hostels. Hotels in Portugal tend to be pricey. Room prices typically include breakfast and showers, and most rooms that lack a bath or shower have a sink. When business is weak, try bargaining in advance. Pousadas, like Spanish paradores, outperform standard hotels, but are more expensive. Most are castles, palaces, or monasteries converted into luxurious, government-run hotels.

Home Exchanges And Hospitality Clubs

Home exchange offers travelers various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases). For more information, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎+1-310-798-3864 or toll-free +1-800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com) or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎934 53 31 71; www.intervac.com).

Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange. In exchange, members must be willing to host travelers in their own homes, and a small fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) requires a fee and an interview to join. An internet search will yield many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests. Be sure to use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.

Long-Term Accommodations

Travelers planning to stay in Spain or Portugal for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. Many students spend time living in sublets, and there are plenty of places to be found. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Madrid, Barcelona, or Lisboa will range €400-800 and beyond per month. In addition to the rent itself, prospective tenants usually are also required to front a security deposit (often one month’s rent) and the last month’s rent. Expatriates.com (www.expatriates.com) lists apartments for rent, with extensive entries for Spain and Portugal.

Camping

Campgrounds exist throughout Spain and Portugal, and their popularity varies by region. They are frequently located on the outskirts of cities and towns, making for inconvenient or extensive commutes. Campers heading to Europe should consider buying an International Camping Carnet. Similar to a hostel membership card, it is required at a few campgrounds and sometimes provides discounts. The card is available in North America from the Family Campers and RVers Association and in the UK from the Caravan Club (see below).

Most campgrounds charge separate fees per person, per tent, and per car; others charge for a parcela —a small plot of land—plus per-person fees. Be aware that although camping may seem like a budget option, prices can get high for lone travelers and even for pairs. Most tourist offices provide info on official areas, including the hefty Guía de campings. In Portugal, you will find many official campgrounds (parques de campismo) with amenities. Most have a supermarket or cafe, and many are even beach-accessible. Some may require reservations. Do not take the risk of illegal camping. A useful resource is Portugal: Camping and Caravan Sites, a free guide to official campgrounds. Otherwise, contact the Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal (☎218 12 68 90/1; fcmportugal.com). For more information on outdoor activities in Spain and Portugal, see The Great Outdoors.