The best accommodations Andalusia

Budget & Tips

Generally speaking, prices for a double room in Andalusia range from €60 to €210, excluding special dates. A single room costs a little more than half that. Some high-end hotels offer a reduced rate for a double room when there is only one occupant. Don't hesitate to compare prices, by visiting the websites of certain hotels and reservation centers offering very advantageous online promotions. Beware: prices soar during events such as Holy Week, ferias or major sporting events, with rates that can triple. In addition, more and more hotels are charging different rates during the week than at weekends (which are more expensive). The latest development, particularly in chain hotels, is that prices vary according to demand rather than season, although there is some overlap between the two.

Apartments. Also offered by tour operators, apartments for rent are increasingly appearing in seaside resorts, especially on the coast. Generally larger than a hotel room, an apartment consists of a bedroom, living-dining room and fully-equipped kitchen (an advantage over a hotel room). As far as tourist apartments are concerned, legislation is very strict in Andalusia. Although the number of apartments of this type in Seville has not reached Barcelona's figures, it is skyrocketing. For your peace of mind and to comply with the law, make sure they are properly registered.

Spa resorts - Balnearios. Compared with neighboring Portugal, Andalusia has very few spas. There are 10: Alicún de las Torres (Granada), Sierra de Alhamilla (Almeria), Chiclana (Cádiz), Graena (Granada), Carratraca (Málaga), Lanjarón (Granada), San Andrés (Jaén), Alhama de Granada (Granada), San Nicolás (Almeria) and Marmolejo (Jaén). Most of them have their own accommodation units.

There arealso many youth hostels(albergues juveniles) toconsider during your stay in Andalusia. Some are independent, but most are part of the Inturjoven network, which has 20 of them, located in natural parks, towns and seaside resorts.

Wild camping is tolerated in some areas, but it's advisable to check beforehand to avoid unnecessary fines; a few free zones in natural parks are also available. As for official campsites (of which there are around 150 in Andalusia), they are less expensive than in France. For your budget, expect to pay an average of €20 to €30 for a plot, including space, tent and vehicle.

What's very local

Hostales, pensiones y casas de huéspedes... Most of these places are run by families, old ladies or a small, fairly young team, or even a few foreign couples. Normally, the cheapest addresses are those with a "camas" (beds) sign. All other establishments are rated with one or two stars, depending on their level of comfort, which is assessed mainly by whether or not they have en-suite rooms with air-conditioning.

Villas turísticas. Each Andalusian province has its own villa turistica (www.villasdeandalucia.com). After some management problems, they are gradually reopening in Bubión (province of Granada), Cazorla (province of Jaén), Laujar de Andarax (province of Almería), or Priego de Cordoba (province of Cordoba). Budget-wise, you'll need to allow between €50 and €90 for 2 or 3 people.

And don't forget rural tourism, which is booming in Andalusia, with an increasing number of rural houses and cottages for rent. The addresses are either run by locals or a few Europeans. Of course, you'll need a car to get to these addresses, which are located in rural areas or very small towns; that said, self-catering cottages are springing up in small towns accessible by bus and sometimes by train. It's also a good idea to have some knowledge of Spanish. By helping to preserve an architectural and natural heritage, rural tourism not only anchors those who would otherwise head for the suburbs of the big cities, but is also a source of profit and openness to the outside world. Rates vary according to the level of comfort and services on offer, but for 2 people can be considered to range from €50 to €500 per night, with a high proportion hovering around €70. Tip: don't hesitate to contact the tourist offices if you want to opt for this type of accommodation. They have extensive lists and will be able to help you deal with the owners.

For food lovers

Breakfast(desayuno) is served between 8 and 10 am. If you want a black coffee, ask for a café solo. Café, like café con leche or café cortado, actually means coffee with milk. The bollos served for breakfast resemble croissants. In Andalusia, this is often accompanied by tostados (toast) spread with olive oil and tomato purée, mermelada (jam), tuna-based pasta, rillettes or spicy cold meats.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in public places.