Hope for the best upon arrival?

[AMK1982]

Hello my fellow pilgrims.

I will be arriving in Biarritz around 19.00 august 15. A Friday. During holiday peak. With no reservation in neither Bayonne nor Saint Jean Pied de Porte. Needless to say all the cheap places in Bayonne have no vacancies on that specific day.

My question is as follows: will it be possible to find a bed in SJPdP when I arrive with the last train (or bus as I understand it is) around 22.30 or should I just bite the bullet and book an expensive room in Bayonne?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

One room left here on that date for 80E

Citadelle 21
21, rue de la Citadelle, 64220 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/cit...dcdc1be5b56cd6659b85518037f8aab6X3#map_opened

 

[AMK1982]

So no hope for a cheaper place? Maybe a private auberge? -I know, I am both naïve and optimistic. ;-)

 

[whariwharangi]

So no hope for a cheaper place? Maybe a private auberge? -I know, I am both naïve and optimistic. ;-)

You can ask at the pilgrim office 39 Rue de Citadelle when you arrive. They stay open till the last bus arrives. If there are beds available they will know.

The park benches at the citadel are comfortable for a nap ... if you really get stuck.

 

[clearskiescamino]

Try Gite Ultreia
Their website shows that there are beds available

http://www.ultreia64.fr/en/reservation-novaresa/

 

[AMK1982]

Thank you very much clearskies. Do you happen to know if my late arrival will be an issue?

Try Gite Ultreia
Their website shows that there are beds available

http://www.ultreia64.fr/en/reservation-novaresa/

 

[AMK1982]

You can ask at the pilgrim office 39 Rue de Citadelle when you arrive. They stay open till the last bus arrives. If there are beds available they will know.

The park benches at the citadel are comfortable for a nap ... if you really get stuck.

Haha, I appreciate the info. I hope it won't be knowledge I will have to put to use.

 

[clearskiescamino]

Thank you very much clearskies. Do you happen to know if my late arrival will be an issue?

I wouldn't think so. You could send the owners an email and see? They are fine. I have a bunk booked there.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Haha, I appreciate the info. I hope it won't be knowledge I will have to put to use.

SJPdP now is expensive rooms only. The Ultreia Gite is the only one showing rooms. August 15 is the Assumption, so rooms will be limited. If you don't put the knowledge to use now, it will cease to be useful knowledge!

The Pilgrim Office operates a no-reservation gite, so it may have space when you arrive. If not, they will help you find a room, but they are not miracle workers. The room they find might be several hundred Euros.

 

[AMK1982]

SJPdP now is expensive rooms only. The Ultreia Gite is the only one showing rooms. August 15 is the Assumption, so rooms will be limited. If you don't put the knowledge to use now, it will cease to be useful knowledge!

I was referring to the benches not The Ultreia Gite which I will book straight away.

 

[AMK1982]

I wouldn't think so. You could send the owners an email and see? They are fine. I have a bunk booked there.

It is a matter of definition of course but the owners don't seen fine. Here's their response:

Hi Anita
Thank you for your demand but we cannot accept late arrivals. The hostel closes for everybody at 10 PM; IT IS WRITTEN EVERYWHERE !!!!!!!!
The stage of the following day is long and difficult and the most important thing for the pilgrims is rest!
This is the reason why we also don't accept in the morning departures in the night.
We are sure you will understand!
YOUR BOOKING IS NOT ACCEPTED
We will refund you less the bank expenses
Have a nice way ...

I wasn't demanding but politely asking.... So, Citadelle or benches seem to be my alternatives.

Thank you for your help, though.

 

[Kanga]

There are beds still available out of town slightly, in chambre d'hotes. You'll have to see if they will collect you, or take a taxi. Try this site

http://en.gites-de-france.com/#bmb=1

Or email the Tourist Office:

http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-paysbasque-tourisme.com

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is a matter of definition of course but the owners don't seen fine. Here's their response:

Hi Anita
Thank you for your demand but we cannot accept late arrivals. The hostel closes for everybody at 10 PM; IT IS WRITTEN EVERYWHERE !!!!!!!!
The stage of the following day is long and difficult and the most important thing for the pilgrims is rest!
This is the reason why we also don't accept in the morning departures in the night.
We are sure you will understand!
YOUR BOOKING IS NOT ACCEPTED
We will refund you less the bank expenses
Have a nice way ...

I wasn't demanding but politely asking.... So, Citadelle or benches seem to be my alternatives.

Thank you for your help, though.

Don't forget the language barrier that gets in the way in internet communication. Simple ideas; simple words. Don't read a lot into the simplicity.

 

[clearskiescamino]

It is a matter of definition of course but the owners don't seen fine. Here's their response:

Hi Anita
Thank you for your demand but we cannot accept late arrivals. The hostel closes for everybody at 10 PM; IT IS WRITTEN EVERYWHERE !!!!!!!!
The stage of the following day is long and difficult and the most important thing for the pilgrims is rest!
This is the reason why we also don't accept in the morning departures in the night.
We are sure you will understand!
YOUR BOOKING IS NOT ACCEPTED
We will refund you less the bank expenses
Have a nice way ...

I wasn't demanding but politely asking.... So, Citadelle or benches seem to be my alternatives.

Thank you for your help, though.

Ouch..they must be under pressure at the moment.
Apologies.

 

[kmrice]

Ouch..they must be under pressure at the moment.
Apologies.

Falcon's point is well taken. "Demander" is to ask in French; "une demande" is a request (or a demand). I don't think they were accusing you of demanding anything. It is common for French speakers, when speaking English, to say demand when we would say request.

 

[AMK1982]

Don't forget the language barrier that gets in the way in internet communication. Simple ideas; simple words. Don't read a lot into the simplicity.

Falcon's point is well taken. "Demander" is to ask in French; "une demande" is a request (or a demand). I don't think they were accusing you of demanding anything. It is common for French speakers, when speaking English, to say demand when we would say request.

English is not my first language either so I am well aware of the fact that barriers occur. However, writing with capital letters and using lots of exclamations marks has the same meaning regardless of language and I see absolutely no point in communicating that way.

 

[AMK1982]

Ouch..they must be under pressure at the moment.
Apologies.

No need to apologise. I simply appreciate the help you provided.

 

[AMK1982]

There are beds still available out of town slightly, in chambre d'hotes. You'll have to see if they will collect you, or take a taxi. Try this site

http://en.gites-de-france.com/#bmb=1

Or email the Tourist Office:

http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-paysbasque-tourisme.com

Thank you for the links. I have booked a room at Citadelle 21 that I think I will stick with even though it is pricier than anticipated.

Oh well, you snooze you lose as they say and now I am just happy that I have a place where I can snooze.