OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Accommodation advice - Simancas, Medina, an Villalon

[Calisteve]

Hi I am currently walking the Camino de Madrid. All seemed relatively well until this morning when a lady in Santa Maria told me all albergues are officially closed - she showed me a spreadsheet on her phone with the albergues marked in red. The position was later confirmed when I arrived in Coca.

So I retired for a coffee and some rapid re-planning involving hotels and hostels rather than the anticipated albergues. I'd rather complete the walk to Sahagun if I can even if this means a couple of long days and in any case have train and plane booked for next Thursday. I've found a great hostel in Coca for tonight (I was planning on staying in Villeguillo tonight) and have a booking in Valdestillas for tomorrow night (so 40 kms tomorrow). Working on the theory that I'm more likely to find hostel accommodation in the larger towns gives me a plan of staying in: Sunday - Simancas (15 kms); Monday - Medina (44 kms); Tuesday - Villalon (24 kms); Wednesday - Sahagun (30 kms). So I'd welcome any recommendations for accommodation options in Simancas, Medina, and Villalon (I have a reservation in Sahagun for Wednesday).

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi I am currently walking the Camino de Madrid. All seemed relatively well until this morning when a lady in Santa Maria told me all albergues are officially closed - she showed me a spreadsheet on her phone with the albergues marked in red. The position was later confirmed when I arrived in Coca.

So I retired for a coffee and some rapid re-planning involving hotels and hostels rather than the anticipated albergues. I'd rather complete the walk to Sahagun if I can even if this means a couple of long days and in any case have train and plane booked for next Thursday. I've found a great hostel in Coca for tonight (I was planning on staying in Villeguillo tonight) and have a booking in Valdestillas for tomorrow night (so 40 kms tomorrow). Working on the theory that I'm more likely to find hostel accommodation in the larger towns gives me a plan of staying in: Sunday - Simancas (15 kms); Monday - Medina (44 kms); Tuesday - Villalon (24 kms); Wednesday - Sahagun (30 kms). So I'd welcome any recommendations for accommodation options in Simancas, Medina, and Villalon (I have a reservation in Sahagun for Wednesday).

In Medina de Rioseco, I think this is the place right on the main drag. I had an internet meltdown with a family emergency years ago, and they were EXTREMELY helpful and kind, even though I wasn’t staying there. https://www.hotelvittoriacolonna.es/.

I think this is the place right across from the albergue in Villalón. I’ve had coffee there, it seems fine, clean, not extravagant. http://ventadelalon.es/

I don’t have any recommendations for Simancas, but it is very touristy and I think the best thing would be to just walk in and pick, because I assume the demand is way down and don’t think any more draconian closure measures have been implemented.

Good luck, Calisteve, buen camino, Laurie

 

[Calisteve]

Many thanks - just what I wanted. I wasn't planning on 40 km days but if that's the 'price' then so be it. At least it looks doable. Will post my thoughts when I get back. Oh and the place you recommend in Medina has singles for £27 on booking.com - so thats one out of 3 sorted. Ideally I'd like somewhere between Simancas and Medina to reduce the 44 km stint on Monday - don't suppose you can magic something up?

 

[Calisteve]

Should also say the locals have been fantastic - I was escorted to the hostal in Coca and they went and fetched the owner whilst I waited. Feeling somewhat more optimistic than I was this morning.

 

[peregrina2000]

Many thanks - just what I wanted. I wasn't planning on 40 km days but if that's the 'price' then so be it. At least it looks doable. Will post my thoughts when I get back. Oh and the place you recommend in Medina has singles for £27 on booking.com - so thats one out of 3 sorted. Ideally I'd like somewhere between Simancas and Medina to reduce the 44 km stint on Monday - don't suppose you can magic something up?

There doesn't seem to be anything right on the camino. This place is about 7 m off camino from Penaflor de Hornija. Owners of these places are frequently quite happy to go pick you up, and Penaflor would be a good place to do that.

https://www.hotelruralsanpelayo.com/es-es

This place is about 7km from Castromonte, which is another place right on the camino. Maybe someone would come get you here.

Hostal María Victoria – Hostal María Victoria

That's about the best I can do, but maybe someone with better searching skills than I can come up with something else. Good luck!

 

[Calisteve]

Thanks for all the help - it's much appreciated. I'll ponder the options on my 40 kms tomorrow with a single stop after 24 kms. Just hoping for a cloudy and cool day!

 

[frbobs]

Hi I am currently walking the Camino de Madrid. All seemed relatively well until this morning when a lady in Santa Maria told me all albergues are officially closed - she showed me a spreadsheet on her phone with the albergues marked in red. The position was later confirmed when I arrived in Coca.

So I retired for a coffee and some rapid re-planning involving hotels and hostels rather than the anticipated albergues. I'd rather complete the walk to Sahagun if I can even if this means a couple of long days and in any case have train and plane booked for next Thursday. I've found a great hostel in Coca for tonight (I was planning on staying in Villeguillo tonight) and have a booking in Valdestillas for tomorrow night (so 40 kms tomorrow). Working on the theory that I'm more likely to find hostel accommodation in the larger towns gives me a plan of staying in: Sunday - Simancas (15 kms); Monday - Medina (44 kms); Tuesday - Villalon (24 kms); Wednesday - Sahagun (30 kms). So I'd welcome any recommendations for accommodation options in Simancas, Medina, and Villalon (I have a reservation in Sahagun for Wednesday).

Hey, there's a nice little hotel in Simancas, Pago del Olivo. It's across the highway but close to Camino in morning (and breakfast buffet @7). The only ATM is right on the sidewalk going from the hotel back onto the Camino. Medina has Hostal duque de Osuna and Hostel Castilla, both good, and awesome bakeries, Villalon has Hostal Penta, nice cheap rooms, above the bar/restaurant, good food. Buen Camino! ps if you stay longer in Sahagun, I LOVED Hostal Bastide du Chemin. Peace, Bob

 

[Calisteve]

Thanks Bob. I tried to book the one you mention in Sahagun some time ago but they replied saying they don't open until April. They referred me to Hostal La Escarcha and I have a reservation there for Wednesday. I've sent a message this week to check they are still open but haven't had a reply as yet. Anyway I've just completed Coca to Valdestillas - 40 kms in 9 1/2 hours so am enjoying a well earned cerveza and am booking the next 3 nights now before reaching for the ibruprofen (with food of course). Thanks to everyone.

 

[Calisteve]

Just found out the Pago del Olivo is closed due to Covid 19. Guess I walk to Simancas and hope to find something tomorrow.

 

[Calisteve]

Just an update - late on Saturday evening I heard Spain was going into lockdown from 8am Monday. I realised this Camino was over. Sunday was spent on trains, plane and automobile - resulting in my getting back to the UK Sunday pm. A shame but I can always return to complete the CdM when things are safer for all of us. Many thanks to all for the advice I received here and best wishes to all. Stay safe.