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Difficult to answer with certainty. Those I volunteer in provide hot water and a bed only. Pre covid there were blankets, sheets and meals. Be flexible. BTW my wife and I live in Ponferrada. Where are you staying here?We are fast approaching our start at Ponferrada. We will likely stay in some hotels as well as Albergues. Other than a bed, what comes with staying in an Albergue? Linens? Bath Towels? Being first timers, we really don’t know.
Is there an evening meal available at some Albergues?
Thank you for your advice.
Almost always. There are a few (a very few) albergues that are more rustic that don't have these amenities, but you can probably count them on one hand.Can one expect a place to recharge phone? WiFi? A place to hang clothes to dry?
If you are using a plug adapter you should duct tape it to the charger so that you don't leave it in an outlet.The adapters seem to mysteriously disappear and/or others will unplug your phone for you and use your adapter for their phone.
They are always booked when I want to reserve. This summer - they have every day available the week I plan to travel - EXCEPT the night I would need haha. Oh well, maybe I will get my mint next time!Zoom in and discover what was on everybody's bed when I stayed at Beilari in SJPdP in May 2017!
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Yes, but they are such a wonderful exception to the rule...Zoom in and discover what was on everybody's bed when I stayed at Beilari in SJPdP in May 2017!
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Change "must" to "should," and I'll go along. Like someone else said, they're all different.If you stay in albergues, you must have your own bedding (sleep sack, liner bag, or similar), your own towel (camp towel) and toiletries. …
Yes, I am only generalizing the simple volunteer ones where I have been assigned.Change "must" to "should," and I'll go along. Like someone else said, they're all different.
Albergues will generally have a place to hand wash your clothes and clotheslines, but casas rurales and hostales (cheaper, smaller hotels) often don’t. This is surprisingly the case even for those that are right on the camino and cater to peregrinos. I have found a length of parachute cord is very handy to use as a clothesline when we don’t stay in albergues. A wadded up plastic bag makes an effective drain stopper.Can one expect a place to recharge phone? WiFi? A place to hang clothes to dry?
It sounds like most replies are referring to albergues as the municipal albergues. These are the bottom of the line, as I appreciate it. Are these those the ones you are asking about?We will likely stay in some hotels as well as Albergues. Other than a bed, what comes with staying in an Albergue?
Albergues usually have somewhere to hang your clothes, but often Hostals did not. or only offered limited space.Can one expect a place to recharge phone? WiFi? A place to hang clothes to dry?
No, municipal albergues are not "bottom of the line." There are municipal and parochial albergues that are much nicer and provide more services than some private albergues.It sounds like most replies are referring to albergues as the municipal albergues. These are the bottom of the line, as I appreciate it. Are these those the ones you are asking about?
I like to think that since @puttster hasn't yet been on the Camino that he doesn't realize the wide variety of accommodation there is in within every category.“Bottom of the line”; one star on Tripeadvertiser, the sort of place where only the scum of the pilgrim hordes would congregate?
B&@$(, F &($97, H;($, someone needs to remember that the pilgrimage to the bones of Santiago is a pilgrimage not a slightly challenging hiking holiday where the local peasantry may or may not appreciate your presence or even your F;(&@$( €x contribution to their otherwise miserable lives.
/@@);&&( - As a pilgrim I hope for a roof and a dry bed. Everything above and beyond that is a blessing granted by gods old and new and the kindness of strangers.
If anyone is looking for a holiday - try your local travel agent. Your €50 a day will probably get you a blast
EDIT: I’ve censored myself heavily but I’m still raging
It does seem like the pilgrim aspect may be missed somehow. As a pilgrim one should be grateful for what is offered/provided. Sometimes that's a paradore and sometimes it's a mat on the floor. We don't need to suffer, but I am always grateful at the end of the day. My feet usually hurt and I am glad for somewhere that I can take off my boots and rest.“Bottom of the line”; one star on Tripeadvertiser, the sort of place where only the scum of the pilgrim hordes would congregate?
B&@$(, F &($97, H;($, someone needs to remember that the pilgrimage to the bones of Santiago is a pilgrimage not a slightly challenging hiking holiday where the local peasantry may or may not appreciate your presence or even your F;(&@$( €x contribution to their otherwise miserable lives.
/@@);&&( - As a pilgrim I hope for a roof and a dry bed. Everything above and beyond that is a blessing granted by gods old and new and the kindness of strangers.
If anyone is looking for a holiday - try your local travel agent. Your €50 a day will probably get you a blast
EDIT: I’ve censored myself heavily but I’m still raging
You will get a bed and pillow. Beyond that, anything is a bonus!We are fast approaching our start at Ponferrada. We will likely stay in some hotels as well as Albergues. Other than a bed, what comes with staying in an Albergue? Linens? Bath Towels? Being first timers, we really don’t know.
Is there an evening meal available at some Albergues?
Thank you for your advice.
Maybe no pillow. We bring our own blow up pillow.You will get a bed and pillow. Beyond that, anything is a bonus!
They may exist, but I've never stayed in an albergue that didn't provide pillows.Maybe no pillow. We bring our own blow up pillow.
I've always been given a pillow.They may exist, but I've never stayed in an albergue that didn't provide pillows.
That's in over 150 days on different routes.
I don't know... "must" pretty well covers it in my experience.Change "must" to "should," and I'll go along. Like someone else said, they're all different.
Same at Tosantos (and it’s a thin mat, but if it’s not too full, you may get lucky enough to get TWO very thin mats!No pillows at Viana, Grañón. And no bed, just a mat.
When I stayed at Grañon, (very highly recommended in these forums) it provided neither bed nor pillow. Just a mat on the floor. I didn't miss the bed as much as I missed the pillow.They may exist, but I've never stayed in an albergue that didn't provide pillows.
That's in over 150 days on different routes.
I don't know, but I suspect that having no exit able to be opened from inside violates some local or national law.I didn’t see this issue addressed…but make sure you can exit the albergues after it closes in case of a fire! Do a safety check…how to get out in case of any emergency. Some albergues still may lock you in and only open the doors at a specific time in the morning. Check when you come in. Don’t stay in any place that doesn’t have an easy emergency exit point and make sure it isn’t blocked before you go to sleep!
When I walked the CF last fall, there were many albergues with washers, but you had to pay and THEY did the laundry for you. Was never allowed to do it myself (for 61 days). Most had dryers, but not all. In the cities I went to a laundromat.Varies widely! But for the most part you can expect a bed (often bunk), during COVID we were given a disposable bottom sheet and pillow case (pretty flimsy - but a barrier between the pilgrim and a bed), and access to a shower. Electrical outlets - may be 1 or 2 in a room or 1 at every bed. But - there is always SOMEWHERE to charge your phone (even if on rare occasion that means plugging in outside your room). Bring an outlet/converter with extra plugs (if you need an actual plug) and usb ports so that others can plug in too!
Other bedding? Usually no - but sometimes. More likely in a private room.
Towels? Usually no - but sometimes (usually pay extra or you are in a private room)
Communal meals - sometimes - usually for an additional fee (not always) And during COVID - lots of places weren't hosting them. Some were.
Communal kitchens - sometimes - but were often closed during COVID. Sometimes open though. Some are better stocked with cooking supplies than others.
Laundry - Lots of handwashing and clothes lines available. Sometimes machines are available - usually for a fee. Once in a while they do laundry for you (that is always a treat). Places that have a laundry machine may or may not have a dryer (most due if they have a washer though).
Anyhow - albergues with minimal amenities can be quite nice - but don't expect the comforts of a hotel. Some are VERY basic - but are fine for most pilgrims. If you need/want more amenities - do your research when selecting albergues/hotels etc. If you need the comforts of home or hotels - then plan to book hotels or airBNB types of places, mabye even bed and breakfasts.
It varies. I only had a few places who did laundry for me. Most of the time I did it on my own. Frances in 2021, Norte/Primitivo 2022.When I walked the CF last fall, there were many albergues with washers, but you had to pay and THEY did the laundry for you. Was never allowed to do it myself (for 61 days). Most had dryers, but not all. In the cities I went to a laundromat.
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