cheap hotels in spain

LAGUARDIA

Castillo El Collado This unusual hotel represents one man’s dream of a lifetime. Señor Javier spent ten years converting the castillo (fortified manor) and has furnished it with flair. All the bedrooms are differently done out with an appealing hint of decadence. There is a bar, smart restaurant and fine selection of Riojas in the cellar.

Posada Mayor de Migueloa Great sensitivity shows in the conversion of this 17th-century stone mansion, which contains the smallest of the Rioja wineries. Historically everything is of a piece, and takes you back to Spain’s Golden Century. The owners, experts on Rioja, also produce delicious food.

LEÓN

Parador Hotel de San Marcos This 16th-century former monastery has a monumental Renaissance façade, a superb cloister and epic public rooms. Good pictures (ancient and modern), tapestries and excellent furniture dress the interior. Most bedrooms are in a modern annexe. Some refurbishment planned for early 2004.

LLANES

El Habana This peaceful country hotel at the foot of the Sierra de Cuera range simply bursts with character. Bedrooms are spacious. Some face the mountains; all have heated brick floors, antique furniture and modern bathrooms. Wander in the vast gardens, swim in the pool, or visit one of 30 local beaches.

La Posada de Babel Camelias and fruit trees flourish in the seclusion of the small park that surrounds this alluring hotel. It is housed in a striking modern building, the back of which is entirely glazed. Inside, the style is generally traditional, with period furniture. One of the bedrooms is in a separate little cottage.

PONTEVEDRA

Parador Casa del Barón A refined yet welcoming parador, with air conditioning, in the old town.

QUIJAS

Casona Torre de Quijas Antique-filled but child-friendly stone mansion.

RIBADEO

PT de Ribadeo Relaxed, friendly parador in a quiet backwater of town overlooking the harbour. Interesting selection of fish on the menu.

PUENTE LA REINA

Hotel del Peregrino Once a staging post for pilgrims to Santiago, now a stylish restaurant with rooms and a fine gastronomic reputation.

MUNDAKA

Atalaya Close to the fishing port of Mundaka, the Atalaya is the best hotel on this stretch of coast, and as tranquil as the church and shoreline it overlooks. It is scrupulously maintained; rooms are rather small, but they are attractively done out and the beds are large. The aroma of fresh bread and coffee is an irresistible call to breakfast.

MERANGES

Can Borrell At the head of a valley near Andorra, in a picture-postcard mountain village nearly 1,500m (5,000ft) above sea-level, is this family-run farmhouse. Rooms have wonderful wood ceilings and beams; one has a breathtaking view. Service is friendly and personal, and the restaurant deserves its high local reputation.

NEDA

Pazo da Merced On the grassy bank of the Ría del Ferrol a handsome 17th-century house of dressed stone has been transformed by its architect owner into a stunning, homely B&B. Walls of ancient stone and glass abut, and antiques sit happily beside contemporary furniture. Comfortable bedrooms. Library.

RONCESVALLES (ORREAGA)

La Posada Views are of forests and mountains from this simple inn. Bedrooms have pretty floor tiles from Valencia. Food is robust.

SAN SEBASTIÁN (DONOSTIA)

Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra The grandeur of a bygone era is maintained in this white-stuccoed seafront hotel.

SANTA MARÍA DE MAVE

Hostería El Convento A handsome medieval convent in orchards, abutting a lovely church. Accommodation is plain but comfortable.

SALAS

Castillo de Valdés Salas Atmospheric castle redolent of the 16th century, with thick stone walls and cloisters around a paved courtyard.

NUÉVALOS

Monasterio de Piedra The centuries drop away as you walk the long, echoing corridors or climb the massive vaulted stairs of this 12th-century Cistercian monastery. Much of the original building is intact: cloisters, frescoes and alabaster windows that cast a dreamy opaque light. The former cells are now modern bedrooms. Free entry to the National Park is included.

PERAMOLA

Can Boix Far from the crowds, a modern hotel with large, well-equipped rooms, by the foot of the Roca del Corb and overlooking the green valley of the Río Segre. Joan Pallarès, the owner/chef, is a cheerfully visible presence who has a deft touch in his kitchen.

OLITE

Parador del Príncipe de Viana Occupying part of an ancient castle, the former residence of the kings of Navarre, this parador has all the usual attributes: huge rooms, heavy furniture, tapestries and a baronial air. It also has a good kitchen. The bedrooms, in a rebuilt wing, are mundane compared to the rest of the building.

PRAVIA

Casona del Busto From the outside, there is little suggestion of the building’s 16th-century origins as a minor palace. Inside, however, there is an abundance of handsome dark wood and stone, two inner tile-floored courtyards and a tangible sense of history. The bedrooms, beamed and furnished in regional style, are attractive and relaxing at modest prices.

SANTILLANA DEL MAR

Complejo Los Infantes Stone floors and vast carved chests, beamed ceilings and chandeliers in this characterful 18th-century house.

Siglo XVIII This manor outside the medieval town has been revamped in traditional Cantabrian style. Pool and gardens.

Posada Santa Juliana Beamed bedrooms share the town’s medieval flavour. No public rooms, meals are served in the bar opposite.

Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada Modern feel despite the stone vaulting.

QUIJAS

Hostería de Quijas The garden in which this 17th- to 18th-century former palace is set has been well cared for over the past two centuries. Inside are antiques and uncovered stonework, with wooden beams and pillars in the dining room. The whole place is a haven of peace and quiet – especially if you have a room on the garden side.

SALLENT DE GÁLLEGO

Almud Mariano Martín de Cáceres and his wife, María José, have converted an old stable block into a village B&B with exquisite taste. He is an architect and she has a passion for antiques. Her finds and family heirlooms fill the beautifully decorated yet homely rooms. A night here feels more like staying with friends than in a hotel.

S’AGARÓ

Hostal de la Gavina With two fine Costa Brava beaches on view from its perch on a promontory, this private palace has gradually become a public one. Wall-to-wall antiques include exquisite tapestries, and each room has a different style. The cuisine skilfully marries seafood with the best of local produce. New health spa.

SAN SEBASTIÁN (DONOSTIA)

Maria Cristina This grand hotel is a picture of elegance with its Louis XV and belle époque public rooms, yet the Maria Cristina is bang up to date behind the scenes. Bedrooms are light, fresh and meticulously kept. The stone-columned ‘Easo’ restaurant serves excellent Basque specialities. Pool under construction.

SITGES

Capri Pictures and antiques fill this cheerful family-run hotel, 500m from beach. Pool. Slightly cheaper sister hotel (Veracruz) over the road.

La Santa Maria Refreshingly unpretentious hotel with two seafront restaurants, invariably packed. Accommodation is clean, pleasant and simple.

SOS DEL REY CATÓLICO

Parador Turístico Sos del Rey Católico Modern, rustic style in a captivating hill village.

TARAMUNDI

La Rectoral In remote, spectacular country, this attractive 18th-century stone house adheres to regional traditions in decoration and cooking.

SANTA CRISTINA DE ARO

Mas Torrellas This restored country house is a triumph of personality and keen pricing over pampering. Catalan vaultings support almost every ceiling. Bedrooms are neat and clean; try for one with a view. The cellar bar has wine barrels from every Spanish region. Tennis court.

SANTANDER

Real King Alfonso XIII used to summer in Santander and the Real was built in 1917 for his entourage. Today, its five stars should stand for location (it’s on a spectacular site overlooking the bay), amenities, staff, atmosphere and an unstuffy elegance. You probably have to leave Cantabria to do better.

Las Brisas If you are looking for an elegant villa at very reasonable prices, you need look no further than this yellow-and-white affair in a quiet area of Santander by the Sandinero beach. Jesús García, an English speaker, owns and runs this friendly hotel of 13 smallish but stylish bedrooms and smart bathrooms. There is a pleasant garden.

Santiago de Compostela

Parador de Santiago de Compostela Stroll in the cloisters of one of the four magical courtyards, as travellers have for 500 years, and you will feel a palpable sense of history. Europe’s oldest hotel was opened in 1499 as a pilgrims’ hostel. The façade is breathtaking, and salons and bedrooms rich and grand.

TORTOSA

Parador Tortosa There are views from many vantages in this ancient Moorish castle; the best are from the pool on the ramparts.

TREMP

Casa Guilla Rambling farmhouse run by Brits as a guesthouse: bedrooms in the old animal pens, bar in the stables and lounge in hayloft.

TREDÒS

Hotel de Tredòs A new stone and slate hotel, popular with skiers and mountaineers for its well-equipped bedrooms and friendly staff.

VALENCIA DE DON JUAN

Villegas With only five bedrooms, the Villegas looks and feels like a private house. The fresh bedrooms all open out onto the shady garden with pool.

SANTILLANA DEL MAR

Parador de Turismo Gil Blas This glorious manor of worn stone, with tiled roof and courtyard garden, is in perfect harmony with the medieval square in which it stands. It was built some 500 years ago as the Barreda Bracho family’s country retreat, and the old house has great charm. Some rooms are in a new annexe.

LA SEU D’URGELL

El Castell de Ciutat Modern and luxurious, this ‘Relais et Châteaux’ hotel is refreshingly unaffected. Jaume and Ludi Tàpies have instilled their mountain retreat with a truly welcoming atmosphere, and have won plaudits for their Catalan and French regional dishes.

SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS

Tres Coronas de Silos Santo Domingo is a classic Castillian village, renowned for its 900-year-old convent where Gregorian chants are still sung daily. This cosy family hotel, on the main village square, is in a large 18th-century house faithfully restored by local craftsmen, with snug rooms and a pleasing dining room.

TORRENT

Mas de Torrent This inland island of serenity is only 8km (5 miles) from the smartest beaches of the Costa Brava. The Mas de Torrent is a hotel of taste, housed in a restored 18th-century farm with 20 family bungalows, and run by courteous, gentle people. Rooms are individually and exquisitely decorated. The restaurant is a gem.

VERÍN

Parador de Verín Situated opposite the fortress of Monterrel, this modern parador has a leafy setting on its own hilltop plus a pool.

VIELLA

Parador de Viella New parador where a picture window in the semi-circular lounge frames dramatic mountain scenery. Health spa.

VILADRAU

Hostal de la Glòria The Formatjes family have created a homely hotel in their classic Catalan house, decked out with copper pots and plates.

VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ

César A pair of sisters are in charge of this highly regarded restaurant with rooms.

Gran Hotel de La Toja Islands make a special setting, and this hotel, sheltered off the Arosa estuary, is one of the nicest. It has magnificent views, gardens and pinewoods and excellent facilities. The old half of the hotel is genuine Art Nouveau with a stunning staircase and stained glass windows. Staff are very welcoming.

VILLANUEVA-CANGAS DE ONÍS

Parador de Cangas de Onís Close to Covadonga, the site of the Christians’ first victory over the Moors, and beside the River Sella, this welcoming gem of a hotel used to be the monastery of San Pedro de Villanueva. It has a magnificent courtyard, cloister and small church. The restaurant and rooms are in a new building.

Venta Udabe When Javier Hernández Goñi and Laura Ganuza Tudela bought this inn, it was a ruin and they have worked extremely hard to restore it. In the garden of the traditional rustic building, they have added a pool. Dining is on the terrace in summer, and in winter there’s a roaring fire. Superb food.

La Casona de Villanueva In a quiet hamlet in magnificent countryside between the eastern end of Los Picos and the sea, is this 18th-century farmhouse. Inside are oak beams, comfy beds, furniture from past and present and practical bathrooms. Top-notch home cooking can be praised with the help of the resident dictionary.

VILLALONGA

Pazo El Revel The lush garden (with a pool) almost encroaches on the covered terrace of this old Galician pazo with plain tiled rooms.

YESA

Hospedería de Leyre A simple, peaceful hotel in beautiful country, set in an outbuilding of an active 11th-century Benedictine monastery.

ZARAUTZ

Karlos Arguiñano Seafood is the speciality at this chic, castellated beachfront restaurant with pretty rooms.

VILLANÚA

La Casa Visitors to this Alpine-style hotel – under new management – are greeted by the glow of wood on floors and panelled walls.