Alternative accomadation on the Camino Frances

I realise that not everyone on this forum will agree with what I have to say but for what it's worth here goes.! At the very least perhaps I will stimulate some interesting discussion!

Last September I walked from St JPdP to Fromista and stayed every night in albergues along the way. Some of these were pretty good , especially the Albergues Privado , but some were pretty awful and some downright dreadfull. With cramped rooms , no privacy, not very clean showers and often no hot water.

I realise also that the volunteers who run these municipal albegues do their very best but the increasing numbers of pilgrims must mean that conditions are getting worse rather than better.

I realise that the Camino was never intended to be a walk in the park and that many people are walking on a tight budget, but for me I felt I deserved just a little comfort after a long days walking and queeing for a cold shower is not one I relish any more. Talking to pilgrims I met along the way last year I came to realise that many many stay in Hostals or pensions, some every night , some ocassionaly.

This year my wife and I walked to Santiago and stayed every night in private accomodation. For those who are interested I attach here a list of the Hostals\Pensions we stayed in , how much they cost and our own personal comments on each.

I do not feel that we missed out on any way on the "magic" of the Camino as we met many many wonderfull people during each days walking and some of these pilgrims alternated between albergues and hostals.


Note: These Comments are entirely personal.
Note: Cost of room is for double room for 2 people with Shower
Note: Cost of Dinner is for two people with wine and water and unless stated was eaten in Hostal
Town Name of Hostal/Pension Cost of room Comments Dinner Comments
Day 1 Leon Padre Isla 50 Just OK, location central 30 Good meal in nice restaurant not far from Hostal
Day 2 Hospital de Orbiga El Caminero B&B 50 Very good Lovely full breakfast included in price 24 Very good restaurant in village
Day 3 Astorga Hotel Corúna 40 Room OK 20 Dreadfull food
Day 4 Rabanal Hostería el Refugio 45 Lovely Hostal 18 Lovely food
Day 5 Molinaseca Bar - Forget Name 40 Just about OK
Day 6 Cacabelos El Molino - Bar 35 Very noisy night In La Gallega across street Good food
Day 7 Herrerias El Paraíso del Bierzo 48 Fantastic Hostal, beautiful peacefull location 24 Lovely food
Day 8 Bibuedo Meson Betularia 35 OK to good 20 Good food
Day 9 Rente Casa Nova de Rente 28 Fantastic Best so far,lovely room & friendly family 16 Fantastic Best so far
Day 10 Portomarin Pension Arenas 40 good new clean 2 star pension, friendly staff 20 Lovely meal
Day 11 Palas de Rei Casa Curro 35
Day 12 Arzúa Casa Teodore 36 New clean pension 20 Lovely meal our "amazing"complaint was that portions are too big !
Day 13 Lavacolla San Paio 42 Room not bad 18 Another lovely meal
Day 14 Santiago Hostal Babantes 43 Friendly , clean Hostal just yards from the Cathedral 30 Restaurant down steps from Parador, nice meal in busy restaurant

The formatting is not great but if I can find out how to attach a spreadsheet to a post I will repost this later, perhaps Ivar you can help?

It's comforting to see that many people seem to agree with my sentiments on this topic. I do not believe that to be a genuine pilgrim it is necessary to endure penance as well.

We found the Hostals and pensions in almost every case to be clean with hospitable and friendly staff. A few of the younger people we met ,(we are both in our fifties) especially the younger women, said that they felt a little intimidated in albergues by the lack of privacy.

It's good to know that one can do the Camino without suffering !

Regards

John