Any Albergues for Sale

[Dean Morgenthal]

I would like to run a Albergue for the next foreseeable future, I have spent the last 29years in kitchens ranging from 5 star hotels, Qe2 and my own restaurant for 7.1/2 years after spending 2 years woofing and paid work on an organic farm and doing Hospice work here in Jersey. I am ready to set my plan into action...So what is my vision what do I need.

My vision is to provide wholesome organic food from a property which with accommodation on the side.
Providing a service and not trying to get rich in the process.
I am under no illusions.
For me it will be a lifestyle choice and keep me busy, doing something I am passionate about ie Food.

What I think I need..Property with land 20 acres.

Any leads greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino Dean

 

[SYates]

idealista.com is your friend there, just type in Camino de Santiago in the search field and check if the place is really on/close enough to the camino. As for the reality of running an albergue, check out @Rebekah Scott 's posts. Buen Albergue, SY

 

[Robo]

Sounds like it will be a great place to stay

And welcome, from a fellow Jerseyman.

 

[LTfit]

Welcome @Dean Morgenthal I see that you are a new member. You will see that this is a wonderful community of dedicated pilgrims and hospitaleros. Look around as there have been threads in the past about starting up an albergue along the Camino.

Your plans sound interesting but my first question is if you have any experience as a hospitalero. By working "behind the scenes" one gets an entirely different view of the Camino and what it means to run an albergue, albeit during a short period of time.

IMHO running an albergue is not something you do "on the side". I suggest that you talk to as many people as you can.

Good luck and report back during your search.

Cheers
LT

 

[t2andreo]

Be aware that local politics usually intervene to toss a wet blanket on your plans. Some locals, already having commercial interests along the Camino, are not fond of added competition. Count on them to try to thwart your plans, politely, but thwart them nonetheless...

This said, you need to get on the ground scouting the area, meeting people, making new friends and allies. Don't forget a business plan that employs mostly locals. Sometimes, having a local person as a "front" and the public face of your development effort is advisable. Seek the advice of others who have done this. This forum is a good place to start.

I am not trying to rain on your parade, just to interject a note of reality to your plans.

With 2016 being a special Year of Mercy at the Pope's proclamation, and plans underway to handle some 460k pilgrims during the next Holy Year in 2021, more lodgings are urgently needed. Already, at some times of the year, the major Camino routes are at total carrying capacity. However, the existing albergue and hostal owners would prefer to turn people away once they are "completo" than have to deal with added competition year round.

I wish you the best of luck with your plans.

 

[SYates]

Just noticed that you wrote under your avatar Caminos: "Planning for this January" So the first step is to walk the Camino and the second would be to spend some time as a volunteer in an albergue on the Camino (make notes which albergues you liked whilst walking and how to contact them). Buen Camino, SY

 

[Pruden]

Welcome @Dean Morgenthal I see that you are a new member. You will see that this is a wonderful community of dedicated pilgrims and hospitaleros. Look around as there have been threads in the past about starting up an albergue along the Camino.

Your plans sound interesting but my first question is if you have any experience as a hospitalero. By working "behind the scenes" one gets an entirely different view of the Camino and what it means to run an albergue, albeit during a short period of time.

IMHO running an albergue is not something you do "on the side". I suggest that you talk to as many people as you can.

Good luck and report back during your search.

Cheers
LT

Very good advise!
First to walk the Way , them spend sometime as a hospitalero!
Get lot of information about the area an the need!!

 

[Pruden]

I would like to run a Albergue for the next foreseeable future, I have spent the last 29years in kitchens ranging from 5 star hotels, Qe2 and my own restaurant for 7.1/2 years after spending 2 years woofing and paid work on an organic farm and doing Hospice work here in Jersey. I am ready to set my plan into action...So what is my vision what do I need.

My vision is to provide wholesome organic food from a property which with accommodation on the side.
Providing a service and not trying to get rich in the process.
I am under no illusions.
For me it will be a lifestyle choice and keep me busy, doing something I am passionate about ie Food.

What I think I need..Property with land 20 acres.

Any leads greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino Dean

Alli can say is already said by the people of this forum!
I think is a very good idea and you should pursue it , meet local after you walk the Camino , spend sometime as hospitalero ,find a good land , meet the Mayor or authorities of the area , get some people of the area involved !
Personally I think you got room for your project , right now I don't think there is nothing like that anywhere in Camino the Santiago!
So congratulations!
Buen Camino

 

[Anniesantiago]

This topic pops up about once a year.
Do a search and find lots of info on it.
And yes, please talk to Rebekah Scott, who has done and is doing it.

 

[HeidiL]

If you would like to do this, there are many caminos that need more albergues. Bonete, on the Camino de Levante,definitely needs some kind of lodging...

 

[hecate105]

As HeidiL says, there are many places that need an albergue. Look at maps of the various routes to Santiago and see where there are gaps where an albergue would be needed, that takes care of competition problems. Then if you identify several areas, research those areas - if you are going to grow organically, you want the best soil possible. Any soil can be improved, but it can take years! So a good soil and workable land is imperative. You sound like you are quite travelled, so maybe you would be happy in any European country, but look at the culture in different places, maybe you might prefer France over Portugal or vice versa... The costs of land might well be radically different too. Once you have identified a few areas do an internet search with Primelocation or localised estate agents, see what types of property are available on or very near a Camino.
I have seen several houses in Camino villages that tempted me (in Southern France.. mmm....) I wish you much luck in your search.
When you are up and running, perhaps put an ad on HelpX (people come and work for 4-6 hrs a day in return for food and lodging/camp) I would be happy to come and help! Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

San Javier in Astorga has a for sale sign on it. If it is the whole building, it is a former mansion. It has a built-in clientele, and will include the bed bugs established permanently.

 

[SYates]

..., and will include the bed bugs established permanently.

Perhaps the new owner could charge rent of the bed bugs? SY

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I asked the realtor for the price of San Javier. It is 300,000 Euro. My Spanish is not good enough to ask if that is for the whole building, or just the albergue part.

 

[SafariGirl]

Just noticed that you wrote under your avatar Caminos: "Planning for this January" So the first step is to walk the Camino and the second would be to spend some time as a volunteer in an albergue on the Camino (make notes which albergues you liked whilst walking and how to contact them). Buen Camino, SY

As usual...first rate advice from S Yates!

 

[Kanga]

I see the original poster has not been back.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Not a big surprise after the replies he got. Our loss: no organic 5 star meals for us.

There's a place after Melide with a fruit stand on the Camino asking for donations to help build their house and farm. He wasn't looking for donations and actually knew how to run a proper kitchen. I would have loves to see what he would have been able to do. Organic on top of it.

 

[Dean Morgenthal]

I was never away but have been always looking, I am now doing the French way and truly enjoying it, didn’t think I would but the magic has started to happen..I am still looking here on this route otherwise have shortlisted property on Primitivo which is a long term project I decided to do communial dinner last night for 12 of us just perfect vegetarian real team effort very natural

The idea has legs only thing we didn’t make any money last night as we just split the ingredients 3euros each with wine

Will keep you posted if I get anything
Dean

 

[Cybermum]

I would like to run a Albergue for the next foreseeable future, I have spent the last 29years in kitchens ranging from 5 star hotels, Qe2 and my own restaurant for 7.1/2 years after spending 2 years woofing and paid work on an organic farm and doing Hospice work here in Jersey. I am ready to set my plan into action...So what is my vision what do I need.

My vision is to provide wholesome organic food from a property which with accommodation on the side.
Providing a service and not trying to get rich in the process.
I am under no illusions.
For me it will be a lifestyle choice and keep me busy, doing something I am passionate about ie Food.

What I think I need..Property with land 20 acres.

Any leads greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino Dean

Rather than looking for an albergue perhaps you can find an old property that needs renovating . These old villages seem full of them. Then go through the proper channels. I would have thought Spanish local government would be quite approving of more camino business . Consider the ones at end of stages as would be more busy . I would love to see more albergues having musical instruments so impromptu singing and music groups could be created each night! Good luck

 

[Kanga]

Could members please remember that commercial posts - and that includes marketing of real estate - are not permitted on the forum. You may post notice of the sale of your albergue in the resources section, and if anyone is interested you can discuss the matter using the "start a conversation" private messaging function.

 

[ACGMadrid]

Hi @t2

Be aware that local politics usually intervene to toss a wet blanket on your plans. Some locals, already having commercial interests along the Camino, are not fond of added competition. Count on them to try to thwart your plans, politely, but thwart them nonetheless...

This said, you need to get on the ground scouting the area, meeting people, making new friends and allies. Don't forget a business plan that employs mostly locals. Sometimes, having a local person as a "front" and the public face of your development effort is advisable. Seek the advice of others who have done this. This forum is a good place to start.

I am not trying to rain on your parade, just to interject a note of reality to your plans.

With 2016 being a special Year of Mercy at the Pope's proclamation, and plans underway to handle some 460k pilgrims during the next Holy Year in 2021, more lodgings are urgently needed. Already, at some times of the year, the major Camino routes are at total carrying capacity. However, the existing albergue and hostal owners would prefer to turn people away once they are "completo" than have to deal with added competition year round.

I wish you the best of luck with your plans.

Interesting comments here (albeit I am reading them years after the time you issued it).....now in sept 2020 and please god with a good 2021 to look forward to on the camino, where would you say in your experiences on the caminos, has there been a lack of good accommodation or needs some better qualitry accommodation?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

2020 is not a great time to start a new albergue project. Everything is so totally up in the air!

 

[David Tallan]

Hi @t2


Interesting comments here (albeit I am reading them years after the time you issued it).....now in sept 2020 and please god with a good 2021 to look forward to on the camino, where would you say in your experiences on the caminos, has there been a lack of good accommodation or needs some better qualitry accommodation?

We'll know the answer to that when we come out of the other side of the pandemic and see which establishments have survived the huge economic challenges and which (sadly) have not.

On the other hand, there may be more establishments for sale shortly (also sadly) and there will be a reasonable amount of pent up demand to provide customers for those establishments that survive or those who are trying to start up.

 

[ACGMadrid]

2020 is not a great time to start a new albergue project. Everything is so totally up in the air!

2020 is not a great time to start a new albergue project. Everything is so totally up in the air!
[/QUOTE]
Agree. Forget 2020! Its 2021 and onwards. With so much emphasis on the #staycation business, the Camino routes are bound to increase in popuarity.

 

[ACGMadrid]

We'll know the answer to that when we come out of the other side of the pandemic and see which establishments have survived the huge economic challenges and which (sadly) have not.

On the other hand, there may be more establishments for sale shortly (also sadly) and there will be a reasonable amount of pent up demand to provide customers for those establishments that survive or those who are trying to start up.

Agree @David Tallan . I think for a while at least, those albergues with multiple guest use rooms and large groups capacity could struggle. Accommodation with private room and small group dorms willl survive better.