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Hotels are classified by stars, from one to five according
to the facilities available. These star ratings roughly correspond
to price bands, but are decided by local authorities, so standards
vary slightly from place to place. Pensions and hostals are
also star-classified, from one to three, and aparthotels are
given a number of keys, again from one to three. Accommodation
may be of the following types:
Albergue (see pousadas below for Portuguese
term). A hostel in the sense of basic lodgings, often with
shared dormitories. They are most plentiful along Spain's
important pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago or, less
so, the Vía de la Plata.
Apartamento. While this, of course, means 'apartment,'
a few establishments have apartamentos which they offer
as an alternative to rooms, rented by the night or week. Also
see aparthotels below.
Aparthotel. These are hotels offering principally
self-catering accommodation, found mainly but not only in
resorts.
Bed-and-Breakfast. This has no real meaning in Spain.
Places calling themselves B&B's may be pensiones
or casas de huespedes, or may be private houses whose
owners rent out a room or two. You as a guest have no protection
under Spanish law unless the establishment is officially registered
- if you prefer B&B's because you find them more personal,
look for a friendly hostal or casa de huespedes.
But see habitación below.
Camping. This is the Spanish word for campsite - one
day I will write about their (reciprocated) tendency to make
a hash of adopting anglicisms. Campsites or campgrounds in
Spain and Portugal are as good and bad as anywhere else.
Casa de Huespedes. Literally, guest house, though
in practice another term for pensión.
Casa Rural (Portuguese - casa rústica).
Literally, country house, i.e., a house or cottage in the
country. Occasionally, people renting out a house in a town
or even a city will call it a casa rural to qualify
for grants, or to emphasise that it is a house, not a flat:
it sounds a bit silly in Spanish, as well. When actually in
the country, casas rurales or rústicas
are often sparely fitted out and, especially when owned by
the local council or other local authority, they can be decidedly
spartan. They are a relatively underexploited form of accommodation
in Spain and Portugal and can be excellent value, especially
if you have a family or are in a group, but have come into
fashion with Iberians themselves, so fewer bargains are available
than before.
Fonda. Like a pensión but probably
also having a small restaurant or dining room.
Habitación. A private houseowner renting out
habitaciones, rooms, like a bed-and-breakfast without
the breakfast. This may or may not be a legally controlled
activity, if this matters to you. In a few places, you will
find it is your only alternative.
Hostal. Not to be confused with a hostel, though in
today's spelling-oblivious world, most people do. A hostal
is a small or smallish hotel with few or no facilities and
services. Generally significantly cheaper than a hotel with
the same star rating.
Hostal Residencia. The genteel sound of this deceives
many into thinking it is swisher than an ordinary hostal,
but it isn't. The word residencia means it has no restaurant
or other eatery attached (residencial in Portuguese
does not have this meaning).
Hotel. Likely to be slightly more expensive and more
comfortable than a hostal with the same number of stars.
Parador. This is a Spanish state-owned luxury or near-luxury
hotel, either purpose-built or a converted castle, mansion,
monastery or similar. Paradores are far from cheap
but are generally excellent value for money. They are intended
for people touring the country by car - the maximum stay used
to be three nights, though I do not believe this still applies
- but plan, and book, ahead.
Pensión (Portuguese - pensão,
but note that a pensão can be quite large,
luxurious and expensive). Small establishments offering rooms
for the night and little else, pensiones are your
staple budget accommodation.
Posada. An old-fashioned word for inn. It does not
really mean anything nowadays, except to sound olde worlde;
a place calling itself a posada is likely to be a hotel
or hostal with pretensions - it may be nice, but they
will charge you for it.
Pousada. The Portuguese equivalent of the Spanish
paradores, all the same comments being applicable.
However, note that a pousada de Juventude is a youth
hostel.
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