| An exceptional variety of visitor accommodation can | | | | There are in excess of 1,500 hotels with a total of |
| be found in northern Spain and Galicia | | | | 92,000 beds registered in the territory of "Green |
| Accommodation can be found that will fit all forms of | | | | Spain" -- the Atlantic regions of Galicia, Asturias, |
| budgets and even the most particular tourists will find | | | | Cantabria and the Basque country. |
| something to suit their particular needs. | | | | The largest hotel chains in the area are called Grupo |
| If you want something slightly different then most | | | | Sol-Melia and NH. The quality of these hotels is |
| people would head for one of the various exclusive | | | | extremely good. Latterly there have been a growing |
| hotels throughout the region or one of the "Paradors" | | | | number of smaller privately run hotels that offer |
| that can be found in various key places throughout | | | | memorable relaxing accommodation available. |
| the area. Throughout the region there are various | | | | In Spain they have dotted throughout the country a |
| mountain refuges with stunning views as well as | | | | series of state run hotels that are known as |
| campsites in the coastal areas. | | | | Paradors. These have classifications of anything |
| As expected the hotels in Galicia and Northern Spain | | | | between three to five stars in accommodation |
| are extremely spacious very clean and comfortable. | | | | standard. There is now quite a wide network of |
| The categorisation for the hotels is awarded on a | | | | Paradors throughout the country, the first one |
| star system and these are allocated by the regional | | | | opened in 1928. The theory behind them was that |
| tourist authorities. If you need actual visible proof of | | | | they should never be more than a day's drive from |
| the standard of your hotel you can find confirmation | | | | one to another. In Santiago de Compostela you can |
| indicated by a small blue plaque near the hotel front | | | | find possibly the best known Parador in the area and |
| door. | | | | this is the Parador de los Reyes Catolicos. Various |
| Hotels usually have en-suite bathrooms or at least a | | | | monasteries, castles and other monuments have |
| shower in the room. You may well be surprised but it | | | | been used for Paradors elsewhere. Some Parador's |
| is unlikely that these sorts of facilities would be found | | | | have been purpose built often in spectacular scenery |
| in the smaller hostels and "Pensiones". | | | | or in towns of historic interest. |
| Don't equate the number of stars on the outside | | | | The local Parador might not be best hotel in town |
| door of the hotel to necessarily match the standards | | | | but it will usually deliver a predictably consistent |
| of the accommodation that is on offer and this is | | | | standard of comfort. The bedrooms are usually |
| because in Spain the stars are allocated on the | | | | spacious and comfortable, and all furnished to a |
| facilities on offer not necessarily the quality of the | | | | standard that varies little from Parador to Parador. |
| service. As is usual in most quality hotels the standard | | | | Quite often you will find that they offer outstanding |
| facilities on offer include air conditioning, televisions in | | | | samples of regional cuisine. It is usually wise to plan |
| each room, facilities for the disabled, Internet access | | | | ahead and book your accommodation if you wish to |
| and on-site parking. | | | | use the network of Paradors. Bookings can be made |
| The cost of accommodation as in most cases varies | | | | either using the Central de Reservas which is a |
| from season to season therefore it is wise to plan in | | | | centrally based service based in Madrid or you can |
| advance. A popular option available in all of the | | | | contact each Parador direct. Rates can be expensive |
| autonomous regions of northern Spain are hostels | | | | it is worth looking for special deals especially in the |
| (hostales) and guest houses (pensiones) which are | | | | high season but to be brutally honest this has to be |
| cheaper than hotels. These are usually small family-run | | | | the same anywhere you go. |
| establishments offering just a few beds. | | | | |