Hostal? Hostel? Hotel? Understanding Barcelona’s accommodation options
Most budget travelers probably understand the difference between a hostel and a hotel. One offers shared dorm rooms and a youngish vibe, while the other offers, well, hotel rooms. But a “hostal”?
Getting hostal
Hostals are a budget-friendly type of accommodation found throughout Spain (and Central and South America) that offer private rooms, usually with private bath, without some of the other services commonly offered by hotels. They may not serve breakfast, and reception hours will probably be limited. Furthermore, they tend to be small, family-run affairs.
For these reason, hostals are generally cheaper than hotels, and make a great option for Cheapos. In our guides to Barcelona and Madrid, we recommend and review as many hostals as hotels.
Comparing options
Our Barcelona-based correspondent Regina recently penned a lengthy article outlining the many accommodation options in the city. She includes what to expect in the rooms, and how much you should expect to pay.
These include:
* Hotels: €70 and up – 24-hour reception, private rooms and bath, breakfast served.
* Hostals and pensions: €40 and up – smaller operations, limited reception, private rooms and usually private bath.
* Hostels: €20 and up – dorms and private rooms, usually shared bath, breakfast (and often other meals) available.
* Apartments: €90 and up – furnished flats with kitchen.
For much more on this subject, including her favorite examples of each, read Regina’s introduction to Barcelona’s hotels, hostels, and hotels.
About the author
@Rohan —
We sure do! Have a look at our budget hotel guides for all the cities you mentioned (or just use our search box to quickly see what hotels are available for your dates) —
Paris – http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/
Zurich – http://www.eurocheapo.com/zurich/
Frankfurt – http://www.eurocheapo.com/frankfurt/
Amsterdam – http://www.eurocheapo.com/amsterdam/
Brussels – http://www.eurocheapo.com/brussels/
If you have any specific questions, feel free to email us at comments @ eurocheapo.com and we’ll be more than happy to help!
Pete
Thanks for sharing. do you have cheap accomadation idea in Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam & Brusseles hoping to travel in Mid November 2012 – thanks. Rohan
Good to know. Thanks for sharing. I was in Spain, but never noticed that. I said Guesthouse and all people could get me+ the most expensive choice of accommodation costed me no more than 15 euro per room.