Two...in our 60*s wondering about the difference between...
 

Hola everyone: We are looking into hotel reservations in the Sevilla,Granda and Cordoba areas. What is the difference between HOTELS and HOSTELS in Spain?<BR>We noticed that the prices in some hostels is not much different than that of a 2 star hotel in some areas.<BR>Muchas Gracias. Gail and Ed

Hi Ed, I am no expert, but basing in our experience, a 2 star hostel could be as nice as a two, or even three star hotel. I believe that the main difference is that the front desk is not maned all day, and that they do not have a restaurant and room service.<BR>However the room and bath could be equal to that of the hotel. They might have tv,cable, phone , ac etc. Of course it is better to check to see what they offer exactly in each case.<BR>Also hostels tend to have fewer rooms than most hotels.<BR>Hope this helps a little.

the problem is one of translation. 'Hostal' is the spanish word for a family or business that rents out rooms. You should not confuse it with 'youth hostel' which will have dormitory rooms, etc. A hostal does not have to have its own unique building, You may find two or three hostals in a larger building in Madrid. However, it is like an inexpensive hotel and therefore prices can get very close to the two star level.

Thank you Graziella and Paul!We will look into both hotels and hostels.

Not to be too pedantic, but be sure that you note the spelling here - hostEl (with an &quot;e&quot;) is typically a youth-oriented place where one essentially rents a bed and fresh sheets for the night, may be in a room with others and communal showers. In Spain, there is a category of accommodation called hostAl (with an &quot;a&quot;) which is something between a B&amp;B and a hotel.