I am travelling from the UK to Alicante and Murcia in just over 2 weeks time.
Given the "credit crunch", and that it is not peak season, should I perhaps hold off booking my accommodation for a week or so? Maybe I will get a nice hotel at bargain prices if I leave it late...:)

Mike

Spain's major Revenue source (i.e., Tourism) is hurting. On the News from Germany last evening they reported average occupancy of 33% at Spain's major Tourist destinations. That would include Alicante / Costa Blanca and Murcia / Costa Calida.

It should be a 'Buyers market' as long as you're not there during Semana Santa (6-10 Apr) in Sevilla or Malaga or during Sevilla's feria de abril (27 Apr - early May).

Semana Santa IS considered Peak Tourist Season; prices generally reflect that! You may be able to negotiate a good deal as long as you're 'outa there' by mid-March.

In these situations I like to book something that can be cancelled without penalty and keep looking for better until the day of departure. If you find something better, great.

If not, at least you have something acceptable that you booked before. No matter what the crunch is, the most desirable places and best deals are often gone when you leave it to the last minute.

I was just down visiting the concrete jungle (wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be) and I felt like the Omega Man. This beaufitul complex (about 600 units) and it was almost emtpy. Didn't help that only 40% of the units sold but still the place was barren. It did start to fill up as we left.