Galicia
The old stables of an 18th-century manor house on the east side of town have been converted into cosy, modern rooms and self-catering apartments. A warm…
Must-see hotels in Spain
Picos de Europa
Just off the N621, this red-roofed, family-owned hotel 3.5km north of Potes is a delight. Rustic-pretty contemporary rooms mix floral-print feature walls…
Andalucía
The only part of this 16th-century palace that is genuine is the facade: the rest is authentic-looking faux, ranging from the intricately carved and…
Puerto de la Cruz
This old dame of a hotel, built in 1742, has a tall, covered central courtyard so full of lush verdant foliage, vines and sunlight that it’s like being…
Albarracín
Down beside the main road at the foot of the village, this hotel is the result of an aesthetic renovation of three traditional village houses. The light,…
L'Eixample
A typical 1st-floor L’Eixample apartment now contains eight rooms with 4.5m-high ceilings and parquet floors; some with little street-facing balconies…
Andalucía
Surrounded by olive groves 6km west of Cazorla (just off the Úbeda road), English-run Los Abedules is an excellent base if you have a car. It has three…
Aragón
A convenient and comfy place to stay, this hostal features well-kept rooms in a white-and-black minimalist style, in some cases enlivened by pleasing…
Sitges
A popular central choice, the Galeón has comfy, smart rooms overseen by professional staff and complemented by a tree-shaded pool and hot tub out the back…
Puerto de la Cruz
Despite its unfortunate name, this 24-room hotel is not a tour-company resort, but a small and modern-enough four-floor option in the attractive La…
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
With terraces overlooking Playa de las Canteras just a few metres away, these ample-enough studio apartments aren't going to win any awards for decor, but…
Catalonia
Out in a tiny village, equidistant between Lleida and Vilafranca de Penedès, lies this welcoming hostal in a restored 16th-century farmhouse. Cats wander…
Asturias
Incongruously sandwiched between a busy street and a parking lot, Eugenia’s is a friendly, family-run boutique pad occupying a 100-year-old house. Hand…
Andalucía
This large-ish, rustic-veneer hotel stands on a scenic spot on the Empalme del Valle–Arroyo Frío road. What gives it an edge is the big pool in lawned…
Sitges
This giant tower-block hotel is far enough west of central Sitges for guests to enjoy a quieter pace and access a few less-frequented beaches. The hotel…
Andalucía
Though of recent vintage, the top-of-town Bombo has a rustic style that blends in with Aracena's time-worn architecture. Bright rooms have wonderfully…
Asturias
A friendly, dependable and centrally located budget option, La Colmena offers 16 rooms that are a tad more comfortable and stylish than the ugly exterior…
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
In a great location on a leafy pedestrian street, this building dates from 1909. The rooms are brightly painted with decorative finishes and floral trim…
Córdoba
A bigger and better-than-average hostal, with an airy patio, colourful tiling, potted plants, an in-house retsaurant and interesting architectural and…
El Hierro
On the main road through El Mocanal, the island’s original boutique-inspired hotel makes a comfortable base with earthy-toned decor, wooden furniture,…
Extremadura
Dotted across spacious gardens, 2km west of Hervás, El Manantial's 12 well-equipped, up-to-date apartments and casas (little houses) sleep two to six…
Alicante Province
The town’s sole hotel, cordially run and featuring simple, clean, well-priced rooms. It's gradually renovating, so if you can, pay the extra for a new…
Aragón
Birders will feel right at home at this simple but well-run base in Gallocanta village. Rooms (some with shared bathrooms) and dorms are bright and…
Picos de Europa
The Refugio Vega de Ario sleeps 40 people and is attended with meal service (breakfast €5, lunch or dinner €15) over Easter, summer and early autumn. It's…
Picos de Europa
This simple, 27-room mountain lodge, 3.5km from the Teleférico de Fuente Dé at 1700m altitude, features a cafe and restaurant, plus a sun deck. It's…
Madrid
A cut above many other hostels in Madrid, this immaculate little hostal has marble floors, renovated bathrooms (with bathtubs), double-glazed windows and…
San Vicente de la Barquera
This modern, professional hotel with a lawn garden sits in an excellent hilltop position on the eastern side of town. It has 16 airy, attractive rooms…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
If you're a light sleeper you can forget about nodding off before 4am, but for partiers centrally located Kabul is a top choice. Small fuss-free modern…
Playa Blanca
A huge refurbishment has transformed this once family-oriented apartment complex into a stylish adults-only hotel strung around two pools. The sleek and…
Extremadura
Fascinating and slightly quirky, this revamped family home is crammed with antique furniture, ceramics, paintings and books from across the globe. Two…
Santiago de Compostela
A purpose-designed hostel, the Last Stamp occupies a 300-year-old, five-storey house (with lift) in the heart of the Old Town. The cleverly designed dorms…
Chueca
Run by a lovely mother-and-son team, the América has superclean, spacious and IKEA-dominated rooms. As most rooms face on to the usual interior ‘patio’ of…
Aragón
This bargain-priced, family-run hostal has a good central location and friendly staff. Its two sections both overlook the same square. Lizana-2 (at No 6,…
Andalucía
On a characteristic El Rocío lane lined with whitewashed houses, this friendly hostal makes a great budget option, with 19 simple but well-kept rooms…
Las Alpujarras
This year-round 87-bunk mountain refuge (2500m) has hot showers and home-cooked meals (breakfast €6.50, dinner €17.50; vegetarian available on request) –…
Tenerife
If you're seeking a base in lovely Vilaflor, this place is pretty good value, especially if you bag one of the rooms with a terrace. Shiny tiles, canary…
Andalucía
The Noguera de la Sierpe is housed in a converted cortijo (farmstead) and has a good big pool and a picturesque fish-filled lake where you can kayak. The…
Picos de Europa
There are just eight cosy, colourful and good-value rooms at this peaceful and welcoming village spot, 2.5km west of Potes. Slanted wood-beamed ceilings…
Galicia
Built in the 20th century in the style of a Galician pazo (palace/mansion) of yesteryear, the Parador de Verín sits 1km down the road from the Castillo de…
Costa Brava
This modernised 17th-century mansion in the town centre has elegant rooms, a sun deck and a soothing swimming pool glistening within the stone walls of…
