You've got your money saved up for a dream vacation to Spain. Madrid, Spain's beautiful and historic capital city will be your primary destination with possibly a few days excursion to Barcelona. You know where you want to go, but do you know which hotel in Madrid to book for room reservations? How about Barcelona hotels? Some people's first thought would be to go online and try out one of the faceless, generic travel websites. However, that is not the way to go if you want to really experience Spain. So put down that computer mouse and think about the things you want to do on your dream vacation. Let your itinerary be your guide to choosing from one of the hotels in Madrid and Barcelona.

First of all, why choose Spain? Consider all the reasons why you want to spend your hard earned vacation in Spain. Are you a history buff and plan to take several walking tours around Madrid and see the Prado Museum and Royal Palace? Will you want to see Plaza Major and Puerta del Sol? Does a wine excursion for a day sound like heaven? Think about the different places in the general area you want to go then book one of the Madrid hotels in the area. By choosing a central location to the activities you want to partake in, you are maximizing your time to spend on vacation pursuits and less time in the back of a taxi or bus traveling to various destinations.

Accommodations run amok from discount hotels in Madrid, Spain to luxury hotels with high star ratings. Once you determine some of the things you want to do in Madrid, then you can decide what your budget will allow in regards to a Madrid hotel. If you basically just need a place to lay your head at night, there are two star hotels available or you can get great deals sometimes with cheap luxury hotels.

Another thing to think about in regards to your vacation is whether or not you will have more than one destination. Madrid is a popular stop on a Spanish vacation and many people put it first on their travel itinerary. If you plan another place to visit like Barcelona, you have to take that into account when staying at a hotel in Madrid. Sometimes, you can get discounts if you stay a certain amount of days, so you will want to plan accordingly.

While Barcelona is a few hours away from Madrid, the city has its own charm and share of beautiful sights to see. Like the lodging in Madrid, you will find a host of accommodations in Barcelona from the luxury hotels to the unassuming two star hotels. And again, your itinerary will be your guide as to the best place to stay. You want to be in a central location, close to all the things you want to do.

Another few thoughts to ponder in your quest for accommodations in Madrid or Barcelona are the time of year you want to visit and if you are planning a solo adventure or one for the whole family. The most popular times to travel in Spain are the months of May through September. These are the warmest times of year. They are also the most popular in terms of hotels in Madrid and Barcelona. Prices can be at a premium, so traveling with family can be more than you can afford. However, the off season months in Spain will bring lower rates in Barcelona and Madrid hotels and less crowded tourist sites. Traveling with a family during the off-season might be perfect for the budget conscious traveler.

In review, there are several things to be aware of when choosing hotels in Madrid and Barcelona. First, determine the places you want to see and the activities you want to do. Secondly, decide on the budget you can afford. And third, based on the first two answers, determine if traveling in the off-season might be more beneficial when shopping for Barcelona and Madrid hotels.