How to Find Cheap Hotels in Andorra

Located between Spain and France, Andorra is a principality known for its great skiing, tax-free shopping and love for tourists. Put your snowshoes on and trek across beautiful snow-capped mountains, stay cozy in a hotel bar next to a fire learning the principality's language with new friends or traverse the narrow streets for perfume, handbags and other luxury finds.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Decide what time of year you want to travel to Andorra. In summer you'll find cheap accommodations, less tourists and more activities, such as quad-bikes, horseback riding and camping. If you want to ski, plan early.

2. Bring translation books or learn key phrases. The official language in Andorra is Catalan but many speak Spanish or French. Not many speak English.

3. Plan a visit to Andorra to coincide with Heroes' Day when Andorrans gather to celebrate their heroes and annual harvest. There is plenty of merriment and great food.

Select Your Accommodations

4. Find cheap accommodations in three- or four-star hotels throughout Andorra by going during an off-season period or traveling at the last minute. To book accommodations, contact Ministeri de Turisme Andorra at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

5. Decide on a vacation package based on your budget, interests and timeframe. Vacation packages in Andorra can include lodging, walking tours, ski passes, equipment, transportation and meals.

6. Consider staying in a private residence with a lovely Andorran family. They can provide insights into their culture and values as well as lodging. These accommodations are cheap and generally feel more like home.

7. Look for places in other cities outside of the capital, such as Canillo, Encamp, La Massana and Ordino, where accommodations may be cheaper and offer more amenities.

8. Think about booking with a travel agent in case a hotel does not have English-speaking staff who understand your requests.

9. Use a credit card to reserve your accommodations in Andorra because this is the best way to deal with currency issues, language barriers and cancellation policies.

Tips & Warnings

• Half board basis means breakfast and dinner. Most accommodations include at least a breakfast buffet.
• Cheap accommodations in Andorra do not include televisions or in-room bathrooms. You'll have to fight over channels with other guests in the television room downstairs and share a bathroom.
• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Save money on accommodations and splurge on all the duty-free items in the shopping districts.