An Email From SJPP Gite re: 2022

[Anniesantiago]

I just wanted to share an email I got from one Gite in SJPP when I made reservations (on Booking.com) for April 2022 last week.
I'm not saying this is EVERY albergue's opinion, but there is concern about what the situation will bring even in 2022. And even though I like getting a jump on reservations, there is no certainty at this point. I received a similar email from another private albergue. On the other hand, MOST privates were happy to take my reservation via email so far in advance. So it's a toss-up, but just be aware, you need to confirm, confirm, confirm, especially if you are using a booking company. You may be surprised to find your reservation cancelled.

Anyway, here is what he had to say:

"Annie, we must warn you : we do not yet know how (or if) we will be operating in 2022, so there is no certainty about those reservations.

We consider it way too early to take reservations for those dates. you were able to make these reservations because we have yet to put together plans for availability in 2022. For example, Sunday is usually our weekly day off. So we may have to cancel your reservation for May 1st, 2022.

Of course, we would be happy to welcome you, but you need to understand that 2021 is still shrouded in uncertainty for accommodation businesses on the Camino, and 2022 even more so.

We believe it would be in your best interest to wait until the whole situation gets clearer before making any reservations."


What I hear him saying is that EVEN THOUGH some lodgings may be listed on a site such as Booking.com, they may not actually be accepting reservations that far in advance. Again, MOST responded favorably.

So just sayin' ...

 

[jsalt]

you need to confirm, confirm, confirm

Yes, if you have a group, check, check and check again. And it still may not work! Even outside pandemic times.

It’s not a problem if there are just one or two of you, but I had booked the Orbitur chalets at Viana do Castelo in 2016 for a group of 15.

It was possible to book on booking.com, but with pilgrim passports, and emailing directly, we were given the pilgrim rate at half the price.

I checked, checked and checked again several times over the following months to ensure our booking was secure. Twice I tried to pay a deposit, but both times I was told that they “are never busy in September” so they would not take a deposit.

I checked the reservation again before we left home. Guess what? Yeah, we pitched up, and they were full.

To add insult to injury the guy at the reception had the same name badge as the guy who had emailed me, and he couldn’t care less that I had a group of 15 people with me.

Fortunately, I had two camino veterans with me as co-leaders (always have Plan B!), who were phoning around town, and they got us all into the Hotel do Parque, which turned out to be a MUCH better option than the campsite, so in the long run it worked out for the best.

We had an elderly man in the group who was already so tired after 25kms, and he refused to take a taxi, as he had vowed to walk every step of the way to Santiago, but now he had another, unexpected, 3kms to walk.

I’ve never been allowed to forget that night on the camino when we were all turned away.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Yes and... even though she stated he thought it was WAY too soon to be making reservations, several operators told me I was smart to be doing so as they expected to be crazy busy in 2022. So, to each his/her own opinion.

 

[henrythedog]

I just wanted to share an email I got from one Gite in SJPP when I made reservations (on Booking.com) for April 2022 last week.
I'm not saying this is EVERY albergue's opinion, but there is concern about what the situation will bring even in 2022. And even though I like getting a jump on reservations, there is no certainty at this point. I received a similar email from another private albergue. On the other hand, MOST privates were happy to take my reservation via email so far in advance. So it's a toss-up, but just be aware, you need to confirm, confirm, confirm, especially if you are using a booking company. You may be surprised to find your reservation cancelled.

Anyway, here is what he had to say:

"Annie, we must warn you : we do not yet know how (or if) we will be operating in 2022, so there is no certainty about those reservations.

We consider it way too early to take reservations for those dates. you were able to make these reservations because we have yet to put together plans for availability in 2022. For example, Sunday is usually our weekly day off. So we may have to cancel your reservation for May 1st, 2022.

Of course, we would be happy to welcome you, but you need to understand that 2021 is still shrouded in uncertainty for accommodation businesses on the Camino, and 2022 even more so.

We believe it would be in your best interest to wait until the whole situation gets clearer before making any reservations."


What I hear him saying is that EVEN THOUGH some lodgings may be listed on a site such as Booking.com, they may not actually be accepting reservations that far in advance. Again, MOST responded favorably.

So just sayin' ...

It’s not unusual for places to not take reservations more than 12 months in advance. Quite a number of hospitality venues where I live in the UK simply don’t know if they will ever be reopening; I’m sure it’s as bad, or worse, in northern Spain.

I understand that you are making reservations for a group and need certainty.
As an individual I’m trusting in the market to match demand with supply by flexing availability and price.

 

[lt56ny]

Annie I wonder if there was the fear that because of this devil known as COVID the owner still has great fears that he will have to cease operation of his albergue because of economic reasons. It is a strange and fluid situation to say the least.

 

[John Sikora]

I think what has been posted is well said. I have my reservations for the VDLP in 2022, but won't be surprised if many of them have to be changed due to some spots, sadly, just going out of business. I think the virus will largely be abated by 2022 but the economic impacts will care on for a year or two beyond that. We just have to be flexible and not take out our frustrations on the owners and operators. I'd also make sure that any airfares are refundable. You can always look for a cheaper fare as you get closer and things firm up.