Page 203 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

WHERE T O ST A Y  201

discount passes on their A deposit is not normally
website, which include five- required when you book a
night stays and lower rates for hotel room unless it is during
seniors and youths. Note that a peak period or for a stay of
the region’s most celebrated more than a few nights. A credit
paradors, particularly those in card num ber is usually enough
Santiago de Compostela, must to hold a reservation. If you
be booked months in advance. have to cancel, do so at least
a week before the booking
date or you may lose all or
Prices some of your deposit.
Spanish law requires all hotels Most hotels will expect you
to display their prices at the to arrive by 8pm. If you are
reception and in every room. delayed, call the hotel to tell
Rates for a double room can be them when to expect you.
as little as €35–40 a night for a When checking into a hotel,
cheap one-star hostel; a five-star The medieval hall of the Parador de you will be asked to show your
hotel will cost more than €200 a Hondarribia (see p206) passport or some other form of
night, but a room price higher photographic ID to comply with
than €350 a night is exceptional. are now including breakfast. Spanish police regulations. It will
Prices vary according to room, Even so, you will probably be returned to you as soon as
region and season. High season find a better and cheaper your details have been copied.
(temporada alta) covers July and breakfast at a nearby café. At most hotels you will be
August, as well as the major asked to check out of your
holidays (around Easter and room by noon on the last day
between Christmas and New Booking and Check-In of your stay, or to pay for
Year). Note that prices in the During the off-season, in rural or another night. Remember to
main cities drop in July and small towns, you are unlikely to confirm the check-out time
August, except during festivals. need to book ahead; however, when you first check in.
Many of Spain’s city hotels if you plan to travel in high
charge especially inflated rates season or want to stay in a
for their rooms during fiestas. particular hotel, you should Paying
Prices are slightly lower during reserve a room by phone or Most hotels accept all major
the temporada media (off- email or through a travel agent. credit cards, such as VISA and
season, from September to You will also need to reserve if MasterCard. Diner’s Club and
October, and May through you want a special room: one American Express are also
June), but you’ll find the best with a double bed (twin beds widely accepted.
deals during the low season are the norm); on the ground Personal cheques, on the
(temporada baja), in November floor; away from a noisy main other hand, are not accepted –
and from February to April, road; or with a view. even if they are backed up by
although smaller hotels may be Resort hotels often close from a cheque guarantee card or
closed during this time. Hotels autumn to spring. Before you drawn on a Spanish bank.
in the Pyrenees, especially those travel, it is advisable to check Cash is always welcome.
in the ski resorts, consider that your preferred hotels will When tipping hotel staff,
winter their high season; those be open at that time of year. the usual amount is €2–3.
hotels in the mountains that
stay open year-round are much
cheaper in the summer.
A suite or a very spacious
room, or one with a view, a
balcony or other special feature,
may cost more than average.
Rural and suburban hotels are
less expensive than those in
the city centre.
Most hotels quote prices
per room and meal prices per
person without including VAT
(IVA), which is 10 per cent.
Traditionally, hotel room rates
in Spain have not included
breakfast, which has been
charged separately. However,
a growing number of hotels The fairy-tale medieval castle housing the Parador de Olite (see p206)

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