HI Ofar Fao

[Blackcountry pilgrim]

Hi All
We are pre booked at the HI Ofir in Fao and I have just spotted that check in is 6pm!
Has anybody stayed there and is this correct?
We are only doing 21km and the weather looks like its going to be in the high 20s so if we left late we would be hitting the road near noon and much as I enjoy lounging in a cafe bar I fear several hours waiting to check in might wear thin on bottom and wallet
Any advise really appreciated

 

[Kathy F.]

Which Camino is this on? I'm unfamiliar - is it Portugal? Yes, waiting until 6 p.m. to check in seems odd.

 

[Tincatinker]

Their website clearly states 6:00pm check-in. I guess it will be a case of sip your beer slowly or find a good lunch

 

[ivar]

I am guessing they have late checkout.... would not be surprised if they let you check in early if they have a spare room from the night before.

 

[FLEUR]

Cafés in Fao and it's a really pretty place to explore.

 

[tarredon]

Hi All
We are pre booked at the HI Ofir in Fao and I have just spotted that check in is 6pm!
Has anybody stayed there and is this correct?
We are only doing 21km and the weather looks like its going to be in the high 20s so if we left late we would be hitting the road near noon and much as I enjoy lounging in a cafe bar I fear several hours waiting to check in might wear thin on bottom and wallet
Any advise really appreciated

I’m not familiar with this place, but we have often been able to leave our things and then come back later to check in at places when we arrive early. It would be a matter of being able to contact them to ask.

 

[dougfitz]

I don't know how consistent the HI pattern is across different countries, but when I have stayed in their properties, after the cleaning staff leave late in the morning or in the early afternoon, they do not open until the advertised time. The place will be locked up until then. Unlike a conventional hotel or hostel, there would be no-one at the property to accept bags and store them.

 

[FLEUR]

If you can change your booking, try Casa Matriz in Fao. It's run by a lovely lady named Rita. We've stayed there twice. Once 2019 and in April 2022.

 

[FLEUR]

Casa da Matriz

 

[Mycroft]

Hi All
We are pre booked at the HI Ofir in Fao and I have just spotted that check in is 6pm!
Has anybody stayed there and is this correct?
We are only doing 21km and the weather looks like its going to be in the high 20s so if we left late we would be hitting the road near noon and much as I enjoy lounging in a cafe bar I fear several hours waiting to check in might wear thin on bottom and wallet
Any advise really appreciated

While I do not know what HI stands for (Hilton International?), I do know Fao because when I was there in 2019 there was no room in any inn (feast day weekend). The volunteer firefighters allowed us to sleep on the floor. They were super nice folks. Perhaps they will allow you to leave your backs for awhile until you can check in. And while you are there ask them if they still have my light blue REI backpacking towel. It is very small, is marked REI, and has a grommet in one corner, and was perfect for my needs. I miss it. They were going to send it to me but I don't know what happened. If you find it, I will ask you to leave it with Faith at Pilgrim House!

 

[dougfitz]

While I do not know what HI stands for (Hilton International?),

In some countries it is more commonly known as the YHA or you might have known is the IYHA. The abbreviation stands for Hostelling International.

 

[Mycroft]

In some countries it is more commonly known as the YHA or you might have known is the IYHA. The abbreviation stands for Hostelling International.

As we say here 'Oh d'uh!'
Thanks dougfitz!