AC in hotel rooms/Spain

I doubt that there is any general rule about when it is turned on, or whether it is controlled by the guests. Your best bet is to contact each hotel you have booked with and ask.

I think most hotels in your category (three and four stars) have central A/C. You must be paying 100 Euros a night and up? I don't think you will have any problems at that category of hotel.

Thanks--the description of one hotel room mentioned that control buttons for AC had been removed and the staff would determine if AC is actually needed. The Europeans seem to be rather cold natured so maybe AC is not enjoyed as much as it is by Americans. I would expect the weather to be quite warm in Spain by late May.

My take is that the difference has to do with a general and common attitude among many Europeans that air conditioning is more of a luxury than a necessity and nothing to do with being “cold-natured” as you say. Compared to Americans, Europeans (and the EU) are more concerned about global warming and environmental issues, and they’re reluctant to waste resources by using air-conditioning and heating in excess. And, some see air conditioning as unhealthy. Air-conditioning is more common now, however, and your hotel will be your best resource regarding when it may be available.

For what it's worth... in Italy, there is a law which specifies which months hotels are allowed to activate the AC. Haven't got a clue if Spain, or any other country has the same restrictions???

Good point, and I believe Spanish law now dictates heating and cooling minimum/maximum temperatures for all public buildings (but perhaps not hotels). Another issue is that the economy in Spain is in real trouble. I’m sure many private citizens and businesses, including hotels, are looking to control expenses. Generating high energy bills by using air-conditioning/heating in excess would be counter-productive in this regard.

Micheal,, nice spin, but I have never noticed Europeons to be more enviromentaly aware,, in fact less so ,, however , electicity is a lot more expensive, so they are more careful with it..
YOu sure do not see recylcing done that way you do here,, I never saw street side pick up anywhere,, not that it isn't done, but its sure not common.

In Paris there are hotels that will not turn on a/c unless its July or August,, they just turn if off. Their attitude is that it is expensive and not needed unless it is REALLY hot, and , since A/C is not common, they are used to a bit more heat then some of us North Americans like.

Pat, in France, Italy, the UK and, I think, Germany, recycling bins for wine bottles, separated as to dark & clear glass, have been quite common for years and long before this was begun where I live.

I was in Spain a couple of years ago during the last week in May. I had controllable A/C in my room (at a casa rural) but I never needed it. Most of the week it was windbreaker weather. You can't necessarily assume that it will be warm enough to require A/C.

Norma,, thats not impressive compared to recyling done the way it is here. Bottles have recycled for decades, but what about papers, tins , and plastics. Perhaps in eastern Canada you don't have the same programs we do .

Here, once a week is street pick up for glass, tin, paper and plastic. I have never seen that in Europe,, but, I haven't seen everywhere yet!

Don't worry Pat....lots of recycling in Ontario....including kitchen scraps and yard and garden waste. Altho it means we have three recycling bins to put out now.

Yes, Montreal is same as Ottawa in recycling for about last 10-15 years.

Good to hear that we have such recycling prowess, because we in the U.S. individually consume more than three times the paper of the average European. Perhaps it’s from the rough ride of our Hummers, SUVs, and pick-up trucks, but people from all around the globe need to understand our delicate back sides require alot of super-soft toilet paper from virgin forests.

We have traveled Spain in May. I don't think that there is any general rule. You will have to email the hotels and ask. If you don't get a reply assume that the AC is not going to be available.