We are looking at "dipping our toe" into Spain in 2012. It'll be our first time in Spain.

When travelling in UK, France, Italy, Germany etc we often drive first to the local Tourist Information Office and enlist their services in finding accommodation. Usually we have found them to be excellent. Not only do they find and phone through to book a room for us, but often they show great skill in chatting to us and matching us with perfect places (for us) and compatible hosts. Some hosts from earlier trips have remained friends to this day.

At the other end of the scale, however, we have struck Tourist Information Offices that simply hand you a list of local accommodation places and tell you to check them out for yourself. To be fair, this scenario is rare, but when it happens it can be very unhelpful - especially if you only have a smattering (or less) of the local language.

Which kind of service can we generally expect driving around Spain? We're realists - we don't expect the "clever matching" - but can we at least count on full and friendly assistance from Tourist Information staff in finding and booking accommodation?

Depending on when you'll be there and where you're plan on going, you may find accommodations somewhat lacking if you haven't already made reservations. Spain is very popular from late Spring to late Fall, so you need to plan accordingly.

As far as the local tourist offices go, it will depend on where you are. They are all different. if you're only looking for a place to "crash" for the night, you should be able to find something within your price range, but my you may end up spending a lot of time trying to find a place instead of enjoying Spain.

Not sure about Spain but generally in European countries we have found the tourist offices are not very helpful with minimal information to hand out. I know that in Italy and Greece we have been given nothing at all - no maps or brochures or even any advice. It's completely different in the USA and UK (and Australia where I live) where there is loads of good info. I would do my research online before going, then if you do get a helpful tourist office that's a bonus.

Kay

Hi KayF but you are extrapolating. Italy TIs are famously useless and anything Greek well... Countries in the north of Europe can be very helpful with Germany and the UK being at the top of their game and France well documented but seldom know what is outside their village "Paris where is Paris?".

My trouble is that, despite going to Spain on many occasions, I've only ever talked to Spanish TI in the north. There they will give you a list and will make a booking if you pay for the phone call (either a euro or use your phone).

What does everyone else think?

In my experience, Spanish tourist offices along the costas and in main tourist centres don't book accommodation for you - just hand out list of hotels etc for you to make your own booking. Sometimes there is a commercial booking office or desk located within.

In quieter, more remote areas, they can be more helpful, as they try to attract as many visitors as they can to their town etc.

I suggest you book your own using booking sites like Booking.com (very good and reliable), essential in peak periods like Semana Santa and July/August, and use tourist offices for further information like maps, opening hours, entrance charges, tours and special interests etc.

Spain hit and miss not bad in major areas abysmal

best to do your own research... eurocheapo.com good site

many others... viamichelin.com good road site

In cities the deals are on the bidding sites for me

betterbidding.com 5 stars usually from $80 or so

mostly priceline.com... others pay 2-3X more

www.otel.com good no bid site with cash back great deals

Thanks everyone. Some interesting responses. We have had very different experiences to some expressed here - in Italy & France for example, we've found them tremendously helpful. But we tend to stay in smaller places where perhaps people are friendlier? (Lucca and Treviso come to mind as tourist offices that were excellent in helping us find and book accommodation.

Part of why we drive is to give us the flexibility to stop where it takes our fancy for the night. (We do have a plan, but don't want to be restricted by it). So pre-booking is not an option - it would take away the freedom and spontaneity.

Perhaps it's just as well that we prefer the smaller towns to the big cities. Rarely do we get caught short, and if we do we just drive on to the next place. Some of our best travel experiences have been around such 'desperate' moments!

If traveling in spring (or summer near the coast), you should be aware of festivals and such that can fill hotels. Otherwise, I imagine you'll be fine.

I find the tourist offices (even at the airports) have terrific information.

I'd love to make a recommendation though: one of the great grouping of hotels unique to the world are the national paradors. Most are converted castles or monasteries, what a way to feel like you're living a culture.

I have some favorites, loved the one in Avilla and one in Arcos de la Frontera.

http://www.paradores-spain.com/