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 free of charge 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.

A chain of lodging places has been set up by the Ministry of Tourism in places of special interest or remote locations. These include attractive modern buildings and ancient monuments of historic interest, such as monasteries, convents, old palaces and castles. Standards are uniformly high, but not at the expense of individual charm and character.

National Tourist Inns, Paradores, are hotels with all modern amenities including rooms with private bathroom, hot and cold running water, central heating, telephone in every room, public sitting rooms, garages and complementary services. Many Paradores are restored castles, convents or palaces in a scenic setting. Advance booking is advised.

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 1000 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. Most must be booked in Spain, but a couple can be booked from the UK.

Confederación Espanola de Hoteles y Alojamientos (CEHAT)
Calle Orense 32, 28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel: (91) 556 7112 or (90) 201 2141.
Website: www.cehat.com.

Paradores de Turismo
Calle Requena 3, Madrid 28013, Spain
Tel: (91) 516 6666.
Website: www.parador.es

Federación Espanola de Empresarios de Cámpings y Ciudades de Vacaciones (ANCE)
San Bernardo 97-99, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Tel: (91) 448 1234.
Website: www.fedcamping.com.

Spanish Youth Hostel Network (REAJ)
E-mail: info@reaj.com
Website: www.reaj.com

Turisme Juvenil de Catalunya in Barcelona
C/Rocafort 116-122, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Tel: (934) 838 363.

Turisme Juvenil de Catalunya in Madrid
C/Castello 24, 1G, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Tel: (91) 522 7007.