Spain is a popular destination for travellers who want to enjoy its sunny weather, rich culture, delicious cuisine and diverse landscapes.
However, finding a cheap hotel in Spain can be challenging, especially during peak seasons or in popular cities.
Fortunately, we have a wealth of experience getting the right deal when booking hotels in Spain.
Here are our top 31 tried and tested tips and tricks that can help you save money on hotel bookings and still have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
1. Compare prices online
One of the easiest ways to find cheap hotels in Spain is to use online platforms that compare prices from different websites and providers. Some of the most popular ones are Hotels.com, Expedia, Opoda, and Trivago where can filter your search by price, location, rating, amenities and much more.
2. Use discount codes and coupons
Another great way to save money on hotels is to use discount codes and coupons, these would typically give you a percentage off or a free night. You can find them on websites such as Groupon, Voucher-Codes or RetailMeNot. You can also sign up for newsletters or loyalty programs from hotel chains or booking sites that offer exclusive deals and promotions.
3. Book in advance
Booking your hotel in advance can help you secure lower rates and avoid last-minute price hikes. Generally, the best time to book a hotel in Spain is between three and six months before your trip, depending on the season and destination. However, you should also check for cancellation policies and fees in case your plans change.
4. Be flexible with your dates
If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, you can usually take advantage of lower prices during off-peak seasons or weekdays. You can also use tools such as Google Flights or Skyscanner to find the cheapest days to fly and stay in Spain.
5. Stay outside the city centre
The cost of hotels in the city centres is typically higher than hotels in the suburbs or even slightly farther out. This option has saved us money on numerous occasions, and if the public transport on offer is good, it's generally easy to commute to the central areas on metros, buses or bikes.
6. Share a room
If you travel with friends or family, a great way to save money is by sharing a room or a bed with them. You can search for hotels that offer family rooms, bunk beds or sofa beds that can accommodate more people for less money.
7. Choose hostels over hotels
Hostels are not only for backpackers or young travellers. They are also an excellent option for finding cheap accommodation in Spain. Depending on your budget and preference, you can choose from open dorms or smaller private rooms. You can also enjoy facilities such as kitchens, lounges, bars, and laundry services.
8. Look for alternative accommodation options
Try searching for alternative accommodation. You can search for lodging in guesthouses, cortijos and rural cottages, bed and breakfasts, self-catering apartments, or campsites. These options can be an excellent substitute for hotel living and save money.
9. Use hotel points or miles
You can redeem hotel points or miles for free nights or discounts at many participating hotels in Spain. Points are accumulated either by previous visits or by using travel credit cards. You can also sign up for hotel loyalty programmes with benefits like free upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast.
10. Negotiate the price directly with the hotel
Sometimes, booking directly with the hotel can give you a better deal than booking through a third-party website or agent. We have obtained cheaper hotel rates on numerous occasions by phoning or emailing the hotel directly. It may sometimes make sense for the hotel to offer you a cheaper price than is advertised, if you don’t ask you don’t get!
11. Check for hidden fees and taxes
When comparing hotels' prices, check for hidden fees and taxes that can increase the final cost of your stay. Some of these fees and taxes may include VAT, local taxes, resort fees, service charges, parking fees or a Wi-Fi fee. So be sure to read the small print before booking to avoid any unwanted surprises. If possible, you can also ask the hotel to waive or reduce some of these fees.
12. Look for freebies and extras
Some hotels may offer freebies and extras to add value while saving you money. These freebies and extras may include complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, gym access, free shuttle service, or a welcome drink. You can also look for hotels offering kitchens, fridges or microwaves to help you prepare your meals.
13. Book a package deal
Sometimes, booking a package deal that includes your flight and hotel can be cheaper than booking them separately. You can also look for package deals that include other services such as car hire, guided tours and other activities. You can find many great value package deals on websites such as On The Beach, Travel Travelocity, Travel-Supermarket, Orbitz or Priceline.
14. Use a travel agent
If you don't have the time to find cheap hotels in Spain by yourself, you could try using the services of a travel agent. A travel agent can help you find the best deals, negotiate the best prices, handle all your bookings, and provide sound advice and assistance from start to finish. You can also benefit from their expertise, connections and discounts.
15. Join a group tour
Another way to cut costs when booking hotels is to join a group tour. A group tour can provide a set fee for your hotel, travel, tour guides, and meals. Also, travelling with others can be convenient, safe, and enjoyable. Searching for group tours on Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, or Contiki websites is a good place to start.
16. Stay longer or shorter
The length of your stay can also affect the price you pay for a hotel. Some hotels may offer discounts or free nights if you stay longer than a certain period. On the other hand, some hotels may charge more for short stays, so it is best to play around with the date selections to test if the price is affected. You can also search for hotels that offer flexible check-in and check-out times that suit your schedule.
17. Use a bidding or a mystery site
A bidding or a mystery site is a website that could save you money. These platforms allow you to bid on or book a hotel without knowing its name or location until after you pay. You can get significant discounts on hotels this way. This system has obvious drawbacks, such as getting a hotel far from your desired area or with poor reviews. Some of the most popular bidding or mystery sites are Hotwire, Priceline and HotelTonight.
18. Follow social media and blogs
Following social media and blogs can help you find cheap hotel deals by keeping you updated on the latest offers and tips. You can follow the official accounts of hotels, booking sites or travel agencies on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can also follow travel bloggers or influencers who share their experiences and recommendations on platforms such as YouTube, Pinterest or TikTok.
19. Ask for recommendations from friends or family
We all know that recommendations are great for garnering information and finding great deals, so ask your friends or family who have travelled to Spain before to help you find cheap hotels they have tried and liked. You can also join online forums where travellers share their opinions and experiences on hotels in Spain; we have picked up some of our best deals this way.
20. Check for reviews and ratings
Checking for reviews and ratings is always a good way to find cheap hotels in Spain. You can read reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor, Google Reviews or Yelp. You can also look for awards or certifications that indicate the hotel's standards and reputation.
21. Be loyal to one hotel chain or brand
Being loyal to one hotel chain or brand can often save money by earning points or rewards you can redeem for free nights or discounts. You can also enjoy free upgrades, late check-out or complimentary breakfast. Some of Spain's most popular hotel chains or brands are NH Hotels, Melia Hotels International, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts or Paradores de Turismo.
22. Use a VPN or incognito mode
Using a VPN ( Virtual Private Network ) or browsing in incognito mode can help you find cheaper hotels. This system can prevent websites from tracking your location, preferences or previous searches and showing you higher prices based on these factors. You can also use a VPN or incognito mode to access restricted or blocked websites in your country or region.
23. Look for last-minute deals
Looking for last-minute deals has always been a good source for finding hotel deals. Hotels do not want to have unoccupied rooms, so hotels that have unsold rooms or cancellations are more likely to offer a last-minute discount. You can find last-minute deals on websites such as Lastminute.com, HotelTonight or Booking.com. With this method, you should also be prepared to compromise on your choice of hotel, location or amenities.
24. Stay during the week or the shoulder season
Staying during the week or shoulder season can help you find cheaper hotel prices as these are periods of lower occupancy and demand. The weekdays are usually cheaper than the weekends, especially in business-oriented cities such as Madrid, Valencia or Barcelona. The shoulder season is the period between the high and low seasons, usually in spring or autumn, when the weather is still pleasant but there are a lot fewer crowds.
24. Look for special offers or discounts
Looking for special offers or discounts in specific travel groups can help you find some very enticing hotel deals. Look for special offers for seniors, students, teachers, healthcare workers or members of certain organizations or associations. You can also look for special offers or discounts for birthdays, honeymoons, weddings, anniversaries, or other special occasions.
25. Use cashback sites or apps
Using cashback sites or apps can help you find cheap hotels. By giving you a portion of your money back after you book your hotel, cashback websites and apps can help you to get a good deal. Search cashback websites such as Rakuten, TopCashback, or Ibotta to get cashback on hotel bookings made through different websites and suppliers.
26. Stay at a hotel that is under renovation or construction
Staying at a hotel that is under renovation or construction may sound like a strange thing to do right, however, we have booked hotels this way in the past and obtained decent discounts as compensation for the inconvenience and noise. However, you should also check the extent and duration of the work being carried out and how it will affect your stay and comfort. We find this system is great if you don’t plan to spend most of your days at the hotel chilling out lounging around the hotel pool.
27. Use hotel booking apps
Using hotel booking apps can help you find cheap hotels in Spain by allowing you to search, compare and book hotels from your smartphone or tablet. You can also use hotel booking apps to access exclusive deals, discounts and rewards that are not available on other platforms. Some of the most popular hotel booking apps are Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia and Trivago.
28. Stay at a hotel that offers a free cancellation
Staying at a hotel that offers free cancellation can help you find cheap hotels in Spain by giving you the option to cancel your reservation without any penalty if you find a better deal elsewhere or if your plans change. You can look for hotels that offer free cancellation on websites such as Booking.com, Hotels.com or Expedia.
29 Use price alerts and notifications
Using price alerts and notifications can help you find cheap hotels in Spain by notifying you when the price of your desired hotel drops or when a new deal becomes available. You can use price alerts and notifications on websites such as Kayak, Skyscanner or Hopper to track the price changes of your hotel and book it when it reaches your budget.
30. Be polite and friendly with the hotel staff
Being polite and friendly with the hotel staff, by creating a good impression and rapport you can ask them for tips, recommendations or favours that can improve your stay and save you money. For example, you can ask them for a free upgrade, a late check-out, a complimentary breakfast or a discount coupon, sounds too obvious right, the thing is it works more often than you think.
31. Try couch surfing or Airbnb
You can stay with locals or rent out their homes for brief stays through websites like Couchsurfing and Airbnb. They offer more of a personal experience than hotels and are typically less expensive. This is also a great way to find out all the local insider tips from your hosts.
