Guest House Inn

Northern Spain and Galicia offer an exceptional variety of visitor accommodation. Accommodation can be found that suits all types of budgets and even the most demanding tourists will find something to satisfy their needs.

If it's luxury you're after, then the best advice would be to head straight for the luxury hotels and Paradores "but to be honest, even the" casas rurales "basic family are very good value for money. The region is dotted with mountain refuges with stunning views not to mention that in coastal areas you can find quite a few campsites.

As expected, hotels in Galicia and Northern Spain are spacious, very very clean and comfortable. The hotels are awarded between one and five stars and these are allocated by the local tourism authority. If you need actual visible proof of the standard of your hotel you can find confirmation indicated by a small blue plaque near the front door of hotel.

Hotels usually have a bathroom or at least a shower in the room. Hostels and "Pensions" usually do not have bathroom facilities and have fewer comforts than hotels so as to be expected are slightly cheaper.

Spanish star rating system reflects the number and range of resources available, rather than the quality of service is given a star hotels to more modest and five stars for the most elegant and expensive. The most exclusive hotels offer all kinds of extra equipment such as air conditioning, parking, internet access and rooms with televisions as well as facilities for the disabled.

Two or three stars are the most popular in this region and their rates vary by season or time of year you stay there. In some cases, youth hostels (Hostels) and guest houses are more popular in this region, mainly because they are cheaper. These are generally small family-run establishments offering just a few beds.

It is estimated that there are approximately 92,000 registered beds in this territory, described as "Green Spain" and there are over 1500 hotels.

Grupo Sol Melia and NH are the largest hotel chain in the region. The quality of these hotels is very good. There is a growing number of small privately run hotels that have character and charm quite distinctive and may also provide a very relaxing and memorable stay.

Throughout Spain you'll find in key areas tourist accommodation known as Parador. Paradores are between three to five star standard of accommodation. It is now quite an extensive network of Paradores throughout the country, the first opened in 1928. They are located close together so there is never more than a day's drive to the nearest. In Santiago de Compostela you will find perhaps the best known Parador in the area and is the Parador de los Reyes Catolicos. Paradores others can be found in castles, monasteries and various other monuments. You often find that there is a growing number of Paradores purpose built and they can often be found in the two cities of historic interest or areas of spectacular scenery.

You can count on the Parador to provide a high level of comfort, but it is not necessarily the best hotel in town. The standard of each Parador is highly compatible with comfortable and spacious rooms all decorated with the same quality. Some also offer fine regional cuisine. It is usually best to plan ahead and book your accommodation if you want to use the network of Paradores. Paradores can be booked by the Central de Reservas in Madrid or call each Parador direct. As with most areas if you travel in high season you will find an accommodation can be quite expensive, but if you are able to shop aroun.