Current Status of Albergue in San Juan de Ortega

[Icacos]

In 2013 I stayed in San Juan de Ortega’s very old monastery/albergue between - if I recall correctly - the town’s excellent bar/restaurant and the church. i know many pilgrims have said they’d never stay in that albergue again (‘once is enough’ sort of thing), but it is a dear, old place; I’d even call it a treasure. When I stayed there some pilgrims refused to use the showers as they were so old and antiquated and ‘dirty.’ (Lots of hot water tho’ ) The poor building was really in need of some TLC.

Can anyone tell me if anything has changed there in the last few years? I just like to keep track of the old place.

 

[Vacajoe]

In May of 2018, it was still as you described, but maybe a bit more worn and “dirty”. They were doing some renovations in the cloister, however, so perhaps those improvements will continue on through the albergue. Still, I’d stay there again for the communal dinner and mass.

 

[Icacos]

Hmmm, there was no communal dinner when we stayed there. We were told that the only place to eat in the village was the bar next door (which was excellent), that that bar would be closed in the morning when we were leaving, but that we could get something hot to drink and eat from the ‘breakfast machine’ in the lobby. In the morning the breakfast machine was out of order and several pilgrims were a bit put out.

Altogether a very memorable experience.

 

[ess1113]

I stayed there in 2016 and although it was crowded, it turned out to be awesome. The mass was amazing and I still wear the cross that the priest blessed for me.
The communal meal was awesome and while the accommodations may not have been perfect it was what I needed in my first Camino

 

[alexwalker]

Ages is 2-3 kms away. A lovely little village. Will stay there this year, before entering Burgos, river way, next day.

 

[KinkyOne]

Ages is a little hidden gem of a village and just about an ideal distance from Burgos I'd say.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I stopped by 2 years ago and didn't stay because I found bedbugs. It was so dark and dank feeling, I just couldn't bring myself to chance it.

 

[Karl Oz]

Hmmm, there was no communal dinner when we stayed there. We were told that the only place to eat in the village was the bar next door (which was excellent), that that bar would be closed in the morning when we were leaving, but that we could get something hot to drink and eat from the ‘breakfast machine’ in the lobby. In the morning the breakfast machine was out of order and several pilgrims were a bit put out.

Altogether a very memorable experience.

I was there in 2013 also. The bar was feeding people in shifts as it was so full. I was very tired after a 38km day, so opted for dinner from the vending machine... and thereafter reverted still hungry to the second shift at the bar. The bar meal was actually ok, but my entree from the machine maybe impaired the enjoyment a little.
Memories are made of this!

 

[susanawee]

I was there in 2013 also. The bar was feeding people in shifts as it was so full. I was very tired after a 38km day, so opted for dinner from the vending machine... and thereafter reverted still hungry to the second shift at the bar. The bar meal was actually ok, but my entree from the machine maybe impaired the enjoyment a little.
Memories are made of this!

And it is these memories, some good, some bad, which stay forever in our minds and keep our journeys forever alive. I often find myself sitting, for example, waitibg for my bus or train, and these memories come quietly to the surface and the time slips by without me even noticing it,.