Albergue Estrella del Camino in Fromista

[Seabeejefe]

Anyone else have issues trying to make a reservation at this Albergue. My wife called 3 times and was told each time by the hospitalero that he was to busy and to call back later. Tried calling 3-4 times after 5:00pm and there was no answer. Finally looked up the Albergue on line and the reviews weren’t very good

 

[VNwalking]

The place is nice enough but the guy who runs it seems grumpy, burned out, and 'done' with peregrinos. So it's not the best atmosphere. A friend stayed in a small hotel not so far away whose owners were much more in accord with the spirit of the way.
And if you go a little farther to Poblacion there is Albergue La Finca which gets rave reviews. And a little hotel also in Poblacion whose owner was astonishingly kind when I came in out of a sleet/snow storm, hypothermic and looking for warmth and breakfast.

 

[naplesdon]

I have stayed at San Telmo a couple of times for a rest day. Each time I was the only guest, she has a washing machine and a large rear yard for line drying. The rooms are very clean and a nice break from sleeping in dormitories. There is a handful of very good restaurants in Fromista.

 

[november_moon]

We stayed there a couple years ago and I think "grumpy, burned out, done with peregrinos" seems like a good description of the guy who runs the place. After seeing him in action a couple times, we decided to just fly as far under the radar as possible so as to avoid his notice. Overall though, it is a nice enough place - clean, comfortable, convenient, good facilities.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I was upset with them when I did not get a chocolate on my pillow at bedtime. They treat you like you are nothing more than a Pilgrim instead of a tourist... Utterly contemptuous.

 

[VNwalking]

They treat you like you are nothing more than a Pilgrim instead of a tourist... Utterly contemptuous.

Yes, I know it sounds like that but actually it wasn't @falcon269. I could care less about frills. Kindness is another matter altogether and it is the essence of the way. And there was no kindness. I actually left a little shaken in the morning after being yelled at for simply needing a little assistance.

 

[Tincatinker]

Maybe it's a Fromista thing. After waiting at a bar for longer than usual I finally caught the senora's eye and asked for a coffee. She simply said "no" and walked away. VN sorry you caught this gentleman on one of his sulks.

 

[november_moon]

I was upset with them when I did not get a chocolate on my pillow at bedtime. They treat you like you are nothing more than a Pilgrim instead of a tourist... Utterly contemptuous.

It was definitely more than that. It wasn't that this guy didn't roll out the red carpet - he was actively rude to people. I saw him yell at someone for sitting on a bench in the entrance way while waiting for someone to come out of the dorm. It was raining outside, so this guy was waiting inside. Totally normal thing to do. But the guy who runs the place yelled at him for it and made him go stand outside. It was just weird.

 

[VNwalking]

VN sorry you caught this gentleman on one of his sulks.

Thank you Tinca. And I'm sorry you caught the rude edge of the senora!

It was just weird.

And there I thought it was me. But obviously the guy is chronically unhappy, so it just makes me feel compassion.
If you have a thick skin, the place was physically nice enough.

 

[trecile]

Walk a few km farther and stay at La Finca, one of the best albergues on the Camino!

 

[Hjhj992]

I checked into this albergue today and walked out to check into the municipal not one hour later. The man/woman running it are the rudest people I have encountered in many many years. I was told off for bringing in food I had bought at the local supermarket- there is no access to fridge/microwave/utensils and neither speak a word of English/French. I was the only one there when I left- guessing everyone else read the reviews. Shouldn't be running an albergue, as they clearly hate their jobs/people in general

 

[gypsy9]

Similar experience last year—extremely rude Hospitalarios and I thankfully turned around and checked into the municipal—warmer welcome—clean enough and friendly: in terms of a job...do what you love...your energy is felt by those around you!

 

[Ton van Tilburg]

There is a new albergue in Fromista called La Luz de Fromista. Looks very promissing.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Walk a few km farther and stay at La Finca, one of the best albergues on the Camino!

I really really recommend La Finca. No bunk beds, each bed in its own little alcove, free washing machines, and they employ a chef so good that the Spanish drive for miles to eat there. Oh, and my Italian amigo I walked with in 2017 loved it so much he married the hospitalera! Just a few km past Fromista.

No reason to stay in Fromista, and like Tincatinka, I find the bars there very unfriendly. On a side note, I have heard a few local Spanish people gossip about Fromista, I won't go into it too much here why but many think it is an odd/crazy/slightly scary place. I have never found it scary at all though. Just not my cup of tea.

Davey

 

[trecile]

I really really recommend La Finca. No bunk beds, each bed in its own little alcove, free washing machines, and they employ a chef so good that the Spanish drive for miles to eat there. Oh, and my Italian amigo I walked with in 2017 loved it so much he married the hospitalera! Just a few km past Fromista.

No reason to stay in Fromista, and like Tincatinka, I find the bars there very unfriendly. On a side note, I have heard a few local Spanish people gossip about Fromista, I won't go into it too much here why but many think it is an odd/crazy/slightly scary place. I have never found it scary at all though. Just not my cup of tea.

Davey

Isn't it an awesome albergue?! I knew that the restaurant must be good by the number of cars in the parking lot around 2pm.
Who was the hospitalera that your friend married? The one that I met last summer was a woman from California.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Isn't it an awesome albergue?! I knew that the restaurant must be good by the number of cars in the parking lot around 2pm.
Who was the hospitalera that your friend married? The one that I met last summer was a woman from California.

Yeah that is her! My friend left a very high level job with interpol to marry her and move to the states. I only found out when I popped in last year walking back to France.

Edit: oh by the way, she was about to become a partner in the business when I last saw her. Not bad considering she was only originally a pilgrim who stayed the night it opened, then stayed!

Davey

 

[trecile]

Yeah that is her! My friend left a very high level job with interpol to marry her and move to the states. I only found out when I popped in last year walking back to France.

Edit: oh by the way, she was about to become a partner in the business when I last saw her. Not bad considering she was only originally a pilgrim who stayed the night it opened, then stayed!

Davey

I don't remember her name, but we talked for quite a while. She's from my mother's hometown. I belive that she had a serious injury at one time, and walked her first Camino a bit disabled?

 

[Davey Boyd]

I don't remember her name, but we talked for quite a while. She's from my mother's hometown. I belive that she had a serious injury at one time, and walked her first Camino a bit disabled?

Yes, motorcycle accident. She was in a wheelchair a long time. Thought she was going to lose her leg for a while. Walking the Camino was a big turning point for her! I cannot remember her first name at the moment either! She married Dario from Italy. I'm friends with them on facebook, but I don't go there often, will have to see how they are doing!

Davey

 

[trecile]

Yes, motorcycle accident. She was in a wheelchair a long time. Thought she was going to lose her leg for a while. Walking the Camino was a big turning point for her! I cannot remember her first name at the moment either! She married Dario from Italy. I'm friends with them on facebook, but I don't go there often, will have to see how they are doing!

Davey

Tell her Terri from Oregon says hi. I was there late July or early August last year. Maybe she'll remember me if you tell her that my family is from Chico.