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Yes, IMO.Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino?
Easy: Get yourself a guide/Camino app with tel.nos to accomodations and book ahead.Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
You dont need to look at it as black and white, hotel v albergue. There will be private rooms (bookable) in a lot of the albergues as well.Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
Where did you see that? Are you referring to Albergue San Lorenzo de Bruma? On Gronze it shows the opening hour as 12:30 and the closing at 22:00.But I think the opening time is until 18.00 which may be too early as I was planning to walk it from A'Coruna, approx 18 miles.
I'm not familiar with that site, but Gronze is very trustworthy. I can't imagine that they wouldn't accept you after 18:00. You can always send them an email or message on WhatsApp.Thank you for your replies.
On the website albergues camino santiago, it states the opening hours for the San Lorenzo de Bruma private albergue is from 13.00 to 18.00. www.alberguescaminosantiago.com/camino-de-santiago-ingles/albergue-san-lorenzo-bruma-hospital-de-bruma-camino-ingles
The Pilgrim's hostel's opening hours is until 22.00. But I am sure that in busy times it gets full early.
My wife and I booked private bed and bath as our only wish for our first 2 Caminos … I am booking the same for Norte next month solo. They range from albergues, posadas and pensions or small boutique hotels. We never felt we missed out and felt as connected with fellow peregrinos throughout the day and over meals. I suppose staying in shared dormitory style accommodation has a certain feeling, but we didn’t miss at all the nighttime sounds and smellsHi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
Hi,Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
Yes. It just takes a little more effort to connect with other pilgrims - get what's app info etc, and make plans to meet for lunch, dinner, etc.Thank you for your replies. I appreciated hearing about your experiences, K Lynn. Agree with you that meeting people are both pro and con.
Thank you, also, Alexwalker. I did think about booking the private albergue in Bruma. I will be walking the Camino de Ingles in June. But I think the opening time is until 18.00 which may be too early a planning to walk it from A'Coruna, approx 18 miles. (I am a slow walker!)
I found that it's really easy to share Whatsapp info within the app.Yes. It just takes a little more effort to connect with other pilgrims - get what's app info etc
We mixed and matched. We loved private accommodation i.e. bathroom! every so often. There is much camaraderie in the shared spaces and sometimes the only option. Sometimes hotel or pension was the only option. Be flexible and see what the Camino brings you if you can.Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
We have done both. Some albergues have a limited number of private rooms which are bookable. The cost of a private 2* hotel is not much more and was generally a bit more spacious and comfortable. We enjoyed meeting others in the albergues. As we passed through smaller towns with limited dining options it was easy to meet those we had walked with during the day over dinner. One advantage of the albergues is that they are better equipped for doing laundry with deep sink and drying rack, sometimes washing machine, rarely dryer. Trying to wash and dry clothes in hotel bathroom not easyHi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
I agree with J W. Mix it up. Especially try to get albergues with a good reputation for communal meals; that is where most of the "good" albergue experience is. If you stay exclusively in hotels, you WILL miss a lot. Towns that have no albergues serving communal meals usually have a restaurant or two that serve pilgrim dinner. You will meet other pilgrims there for a communal meal of sorts.Hi @kathanne,
My husband and I volunteer in albergues each year (different ones each time). We love the albergues where there are communal meals prepared and enjoyed together. When walking the Camino, sometimes I prefer an albergue and some days I really want a little space to myself. We do a combination of the two as we go along. You may want to wait until you arrive to decide. We don't reserve ahead except for special places we know we want to stay (hotels usually) and we have always found a bed. This is not to every person's comfort, but having been on the Camino several times, we find that it works well for us. You will find what works well for you, too.
Janet
I would pay extra to be in a room with more people! I feel like sharing a room with only 3 - 5 other people is more intimate than being in a room with 10 or more where I feel more anonymous.Sometimes there is a small surcharge to stay in a smaller room
Maybe they should just raise the rates for everyone then!I would pay extra to be in a room with more people! I feel like sharing a room with only 3 - 5 other people is more intimate than being in a room with 10 or more where I feel more anonymous.
I feel like my time at Girl Scout camps prepared me for albergue sleeping and bathroom arrangements! I just am not squeamish about when or where I sleep. I am a bit of a germaphobe, but if I can handle being on an airplane with several hundred sleeping strangers in much tighter quarters to get to Spain, I think I can handle the albergues.I feel like our time in the military prepared us both for shared bunk rooms, shower rooms, etc. I do have a sleep disorder but sleep as well in a room alone as in a room with 49 of my new best friends.
Ah, that's true, but hotels will have towels, and if you roll up your wrung- out clothes in the towel, it takes out a lot of the water. My stuff always dries, though my room may look like a laundry with things hanging from the tv or lamp cords. Another favorite trick is to extend a hiking pole over the back of a chair and extend it to the window sill or a desk, etc, and there you have your clothesline.Trying to wash and dry clothes in hotel bathroom not easy
I use the same washing method whether I'm in an albergue or a room with a private bath.Trying to wash and dry clothes in hotel bathroom not easy
Except after the first few weeks you just about know everyoneI would pay extra to be in a room with more people! I feel like sharing a room with only 3 - 5 other people is more intimate than being in a room with 10 or more where I feel more anonymous.
Just walked the Ingles, stayed in mainly hotels/ pensions . Met and talked with people my first day, and everyday thereafter. A lovely Dutch woman, Margarita walked with me for a while - she greeted everyone. We met again By the end of the Camino,Thank you for your replies. I appreciated hearing about your experiences, K Lynn. Agree with you that meeting people are both pro and con.
Thank you, also, Alexwalker. I did think about booking the private albergue in Bruma. I will be walking the Camino de Ingles in June. But I think the opening time is until 18.00 which may be too early as I was planning to walk it from A'Coruna, approx 18 miles. (I am a slow walker!)
Walked the Ingles last week, staying in hotel’s/ pension’s everyday except Bruma. Albergue Reception definitely not open until 22.00, but perhaps because it was completely full and everyone had checked in. I met great people all along the wayHi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
I mostly stayed in albergues, but have stayed in the occasional hotel. I think you do lose something by staying at hotels. Those who like to stay in hotels will also say that you gain something as well (for example, perhaps sleep).Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
This is a very good point, based on our experiences in albergues and hotels.One advantage of the albergues is that they are better equipped for doing laundry with deep sink and drying rack, sometimes washing machine, rarely dryer. Trying to wash and dry clothes in hotel bathroom not easy
I would potentially be depriving a pilgrim with more limited means and greater need, of that albergue bed.
Hi everyone. Do you think that staying in hotels mean that you will miss very much from the atmosphere of the camino? I do like the idea of meeting others in the hostels, but worry about arriving late and missing out on a bed. If you do find yourself without a place there, is it easy to book a hotel nearby for that night? I will be walking with one other.
I think experience with international backpacking travel and staying in ‘youth hostels’ which I did a ton of many years ago, also gets one over that hump.I think those of us with Public School or youth organization or military or even custodial experience can slip into Albergue life with ease. Climbers and Cavers and wilderness hikers will have acquired all the necessary thickness of skin and disregard of the niceties to cope too.
Those who spent their first Albergue night wide-eyed, clinging tightly to a fart and wishing they’d listened to their spouse - it passes. The second night you’re going to be so knackered you’d sleep through the last trump.
It’ll stay bumpy but just like driving a car or raising a family you’ll get the knack. Somewhere in your second or third week you’ll encounter that wide/wild eyed newbie trembling their first coffee all over the jump and in kindness you’ll try and assure them “this too will pass”.
Ditto. But the occasional private room is still brilliant!I think experience with international backpacking travel and staying in ‘youth hostels’ which I did a ton of many years ago, also gets one over that hump.
And the dumpiest private room can feel like a 5 star hotel after sleeping in dorms!Ditto. But the occasional private room is still brilliant!
You may get a bottom sheet at albergues. Some are the disposable kind. Usually no top sheet.I have booked the private hostel in Bruma.
I emailed them and they quickly replied. They can provide sheets and blankets for the bunk beds as well as their private rooms.
I wonder if all the albergues provide them. I had thought to use any albergues, you would need sleeping bags. But apparently not, at least in the private ones.
We just have to make sure we get there before 18.00! It says very clearly on the email that check-in after that time will not be accepted.
I watched them open the gym for a single pilgrim in Najera. There were others who came in later, but they opened it for him.That is interesting, Northern Light. I suppose that they might do that for a group of stranded pilgrims. But what if only one or two still needed a bed?
Great advice thank you.I stayed in private accommodations (small hotels/hostals/posadas) and did not feel I missed out on too much. I invariably ran into someone I knew from previous days and walked and talked with them to wherever our end stage was for that day. I ate some meals alone and some with other peregrinos. Some evenings I sat in my room and relaxed, some evenings I wandered around looking at the town.
I did spend a couple of nights in albergues and they are mostly not for me. I did enjoy the atmosphere for communal meals but was unable to sleep in a room with 10+ other people.
As you are travelling with one other person, the cost of sharing a room will be very close to what you would both pay in an albergue, although some private rooms will have one double bed and some will have two singles. I would try albergues for the first couple of nights and if you don't like it then just book private rooms.
Many of the Camino apps will list albergues and private accommodations, booking.com was my go to for rooms.
I think the pro/con list for albergues looks like this: Pro- meet more people Con - meet more people
Well said!I think that every person will give you a different answer. I do not know what the "pros and cons" are as you can not plan and control your camino experience or know what will happen later in a day or who you may or may not meet. All you have is the step you are taking. As each person has a different answer to your question each has a different meaning for what pilgrimage is. Personally I believe in having the most simple and basic an pilgrimage as possible. I stay in municipal and donativos unless there is none. I believe a camino is and should be difficult. It should challenge your body, mind and spirit to allow one to be more open and accepting of what is in that moment in time and to release the pains, thoughts and actions that got you on the camino in the first place. This creates balance, pain and pleasure, comfort and discomfort, friendships and learning the joy and difficulty of walking with the only person that matters, yourself. I know for centuries there have been those who were/are walking like kings and sleeping in Paradors. There are those who walk like the common man over the many centuries of caminos who sleep in large rooms and prepare dinners together. There is no right or wrong answer, or no perfect planning. Just go and walk and find out for yourself.
Together we walk alone.
There also seem to be a good number of (usually quite economical) pensiones, etc. a few miles off the actual trail, in a town that you could get to easily in a taxi, but which isn't on the Camino. At least from my browsings of Booking lately. That's also an option to consider.For those who can’t seem to find a bed when you arrive in a smaller town and everything is completo … it’s been my experience that if you arrive at 2 or 3 or 4 and sometimes 5 o’clock, they will advise you to move on to the next town. But if you arrive later, odds go up that the community will open up the school gym or the church or parish hall or some other overflow area and start pulling out mattresses. Just be patient, polite and grateful.
Do private rooms have their own bathroom? Or, do you need to book hotels to have your own bathroom?I stayed in private accommodations (small hotels/hostals/posadas) and did not feel I missed out on too much. I invariably ran into someone I knew from previous days and walked and talked with them to wherever our end stage was for that day. I ate some meals alone and some with other peregrinos. Some evenings I sat in my room and relaxed, some evenings I wandered around looking at the town.
I did spend a couple of nights in albergues and they are mostly not for me. I did enjoy the atmosphere for communal meals but was unable to sleep in a room with 10+ other people.
As you are travelling with one other person, the cost of sharing a room will be very close to what you would both pay in an albergue, although some private rooms will have one double bed and some will have two singles. I would try albergues for the first couple of nights and if you don't like it then just book private rooms.
Many of the Camino apps will list albergues and private accommodations, booking.com was my go to for rooms.
I think the pro/con list for albergues looks like this: Pro- meet more people Con - meet more people
This varies. In an actual hotel - you will almost always have a private bathroom. If you are in a private room in a pension or an albergue - you may still have shared bathroom. I will say though, in all of my travels and in all of the places I have stayed with shared bathrooms - access to the bathroom when I needed it was never a problem. Perhaps I just got lucky, but I have shared a LOT of shared bathrooms over the last several years.Do private rooms have their own bathroom? Or, do you need to book hotels to have your own bathroom?
Most had private bedrooms. I stayed at 2 or 3 places that had shared bathrooms for 3-4 separate bedrooms.Do private rooms have their own bathroom? Or, do you need to book hotels to have your own bathroom?
Well, you could always alternate. then you get some of both worldsIt's a tough choice between the authentic camaraderie of albergues and the peace of mind that comes with booking a hotel room.
For those of you who prefer to stay in places with a private bed/bath, how far in advance did you book?Municipal albergues may not have private rooms, but many private ones do. I stayed exclusively in private rooms and enjoyed some communal meals and fellowship every night. I booked most on booking dot com.
I do stay in all kinds of accommodation, whichever on that particular day is available, fits my mood and seems most practical. ... but when I want to stay in a room for my own, I never ever book more than one day in advance, mostly on the same day actually.For those of you who prefer to stay in places with a private bed/bath, how far in advance did you book?
Ageed. I usually stay in albergues, but once in a while as the day progresses, I might want a hotel. Usually book sometime between noon and 5pm day of stay. Flexibility is key.I do stay in all kinds of accommodation, whichever on that particular day is available, fits my mood and seems most practical. ... but when I want to stay in a room for my own, I never ever book more than one day in advance, mostly on the same day actually.
I need to stay flexible as how could I know in the morning how far I want or am able to walk that day in the evening.
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