Anyone Stayed in Auberge du Pelerin in SJPP? New Pilgrim Needs Info

[Debbye Jean]

Hi Ya'll,

I am truly enjoying this forum and always do a search before I ask a question and don't believe this one has been asked. Has anyone stayed at Auberge du Pelerin in SJPP? If so, would you mind sharing your experience. I am going to be staying in SJPP for 3 nights before starting my Camino and this is where I booked in at. I can always change my reservation should I hear bad stuff about it. I hope someone has stayed there and can tell me all about it. Some questions I have: Does it have a private shower where one can scrub their butts in private??? This will be my first dormitory experience and I would like a run down about what to expect. Thanks in advance all you wonderful people!

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Hi Ya'll,
Has anyone stayed at Auberge du Pelerin in SJPP? !

I stayed there with my son a couple of years ago, but I can't recall any specifics about the dorms or facilities. I do remember that it was full, and that we enjoyed our brief stay, which may be helpful.

 

[gerardcarey]

Nicely kept and well run in a refurbished traditional building on Rue de la Citadelle. Probably better than most you will find along the 'Way'. Also quite close to the pilgrim office which is in the same street.
Solid wooden bunks ensured a good nights sleep.
As I don't specifically recall any privacy problems occuring while I "scrubbed my butt" this tends to have me believe that privacy problems were not of concern, but then I never came across one where they were.
I would, on a return visit, have dinner out and about at one of the local restaurants to ensure some exposure to the local basque food and folks.
Regards and Buen Camino
Gerard

 

[Alasdair Kay]

Hi I stayed there at the beginning of my Camino in 2016 it was very full and whilst all you needed was there I found it not a great stay. My booking had got lost but thankfully I had the receipt that the money had been taken from my account so they gave me a bed. This is very subjective as I was alone, very nervous about the following day's walk so I slept very badly. I made the mistake of taking the bunk by the door next to the toilet. However on reflection my only negative was the meal which was sufficient but a bit chaotic at the end of a long day. The showers etc are fine, wooden bunks so not noisy, plug adaptors and light by bed so you could charge stuff in peace. Room was tight for space but it was ok. So my only advice would be is have your evening meal elsewhere in more peaceful surroundings so you can adapt and reflect for the following day. Re breakfast my suggestion would be snack on something first thing and head to Orrison for breakfast. You will have completed the steepest section by then and be ready to eat. The hospitalero is very nice. It was here thand Roncesvalles that I learned I like small Albergues and will sacrifice mod cons for peace and quiet

 

[mspath]

Nicely kept and well run in a refurbished traditional building on Rue de la Citadelle. Probably better than most you will find along the 'Way'. Also quite close to the pilgrim office which is in the same street.
Solid wooden bunks ensured a good nights sleep.
As I don't specifically recall any privacy problems occuring while I "scrubbed my butt" this tends to have me believe that privacy problems were not of concern, but then I never came across one where they were.
I would, on a return visit, have dinner out and about at one of the local restaurants to ensure some exposure to the local basque food and folks.
Regards and Buen Camino
Gerard

For lunch or dinner Chez DeDe at 3 rue de France is quite ok. It is near the Pilgrim Office at 39 rue de la Citadelle and often suggested by them. The place also appears in the movie The Way. I have eaten here many times over the years; the food is good and the prices very reasonable. .

 

[Alasdair Kay]

back again when I was there I looked in on this Albergue and it was much more ot my taste
Refuge Accueil Paroissial Maison Kaserna 43 rue d' Espagne 64220 SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT Tél +33 5 59 37 65 17
The atmosphere was much more serene

 

[Debbye Jean]

I stayed there with my son a couple of years ago, but I can't recall any specifics about the dorms or facilities. I do remember that it was full, and that we enjoyed our brief stay, which may be helpful.

Thank you, that is helpful.

 

[Debbye Jean]

Nicely kept and well run in a refurbished traditional building on Rue de la Citadelle. Probably better than most you will find along the 'Way'. Also quite close to the pilgrim office which is in the same street.
Solid wooden bunks ensured a good nights sleep.
As I don't specifically recall any privacy problems occuring while I "scrubbed my butt" this tends to have me believe that privacy problems were not of concern, but then I never came across one where they were.
I would, on a return visit, have dinner out and about at one of the local restaurants to ensure some exposure to the local basque food and folks.
Regards and Buen Camino
Gerard

Thank you Gerard, I do want to try the Basque food so good suggestion.

 

[Debbye Jean]

Hi I stayed there at the beginning of my Camino in 2016 it was very full and whilst all you needed was there I found it not a great stay. My booking had got lost but thankfully I had the receipt that the money had been taken from my account so they gave me a bed. This is very subjective as I was alone, very nervous about the following day's walk so I slept very badly. I made the mistake of taking the bunk by the door next to the toilet. However on reflection my only negative was the meal which was sufficient but a bit chaotic at the end of a long day. The showers etc are fine, wooden bunks so not noisy, plug adaptors and light by bed so you could charge stuff in peace. Room was tight for space but it was ok. So my only advice would be is have your evening meal elsewhere in more peaceful surroundings so you can adapt and reflect for the following day. Re breakfast my suggestion would be snack on something first thing and head to Orrison for breakfast. You will have completed the steepest section by then and be ready to eat. The hospitalero is very nice. It was here thand Roncesvalles that I learned I like small Albergues and will sacrifice mod cons for peace and quiet

Thank you, I'll definitely remember about taking a bunk by the door..

 

[Debbye Jean]

For lunch or dinner Chez DeDe at 3 rue de France is quite ok. It is near the Pilgrim Office at 39 rue de la Citadelle and often suggested by them. The place also appears in the movie The Way. I have eaten here many times over the years; the food is good and the prices very reasonable. .

Sounds yummy!

 

[Debbye Jean]

back again when I was there I looked in on this Albergue and it was much more ot my taste
Refuge Accueil Paroissial Maison Kaserna 43 rue d' Espagne 64220 SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT Tél +33 5 59 37 65 17
The atmosphere was much more serene

Thank you I'll check it out!

 

[Davie Blisters]

Hi Debbye Jean,
I stayed there last May. My first experience of an Albergue and I recall it setting the bar quite high.
Dinner was Roast Quail - you can imagine my surprise when I had been reading about the 'Pilgrim Menu' on this very forum up until then.
You should have no concerns regarding cleanliness, security or value for money.
Buen Camino
Davie

 

[MickyD]

All, thank you for so many tips. I will begin my first Camino April 2018. I am naive re: all that must happen before the actual Camino. Is it truly necessary to prearrange a night's stay prior to and during the Camino? If so, how does one know where to make reservations? If I make reservations then it seems there is pressure to walk x miles in order to assure the lodging. I keep reading 'not to rush' the Camino. What do you veteran walkers suggest?
Again, thank you.

 

[jsalt]

Has anyone stayed at Auberge du Pelerin in SJPP?

Hi, yes, nice place, can recommend it. If you go out for dinner, be sure to be back by 10pm, as they lock the front door then. We got back at 2 minutes to 10, when our friend’s cell phone rang, so he hung back to take the call, while we went inside. At 2 minutes after 10, we heard yells from the street below, looked out the dorm window, to see our friend on the street below, locked out. We offered to toss his sleeping bag out the window to him, but for some reason he didn’t find that amusing. So we went down to let him in, only to find we couldn’t as the door had been locked with a key. (The fire escape led out towards the back of the building.) Eventually the host came along, laughing, and let our friend back inside.
Rule Number One: be back by 10pm or you WILL be locked out
Jill

 

[Dave2525]

I stayed there as well. No problems with privacy and a nice communal meal as well. They also had some tables out back if you wanted to sit and soak up the afternoon sun

 

[owms2323]

Hi Ya'll,

I am truly enjoying this forum and always do a search before I ask a question and don't believe this one has been asked. Has anyone stayed at Auberge du Pelerin in SJPP? If so, would you mind sharing your experience. I am going to be staying in SJPP for 3 nights before starting my Camino and this is where I booked in at. I can always change my reservation should I hear bad stuff about it. I hope someone has stayed there and can tell me all about it. Some questions I have: Does it have a private shower where one can scrub their butts in private??? This will be my first dormitory experience and I would like a run down about what to expect. Thanks in advance all you wonderful people!

Beliari Albergue, right across from the Pilgrims office is the best. Perfect way to start your camino.

 

[Turning48]

FYI: I'm booked to stay there. I read a number of reviews and most seemed decent. I don't have lofty expectations as they are bunk beds, but I liked the fact I would meet many fellow Camino friends there like you and that among other things is what my trip is about. I hope wherever you decide to stay it will be pleasant.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi, yes, nice place, can recommend it. If you go out for dinner, be sure to be back by 10pm, as they lock the front door then. We got back at 2 minutes to 10, when our friend’s cell phone rang, so he hung back to take the call, while we went inside. At 2 minutes after 10, we heard yells from the street below, looked out the dorm window, to see our friend on the street below, locked out. We offered to toss his sleeping bag out the window to him, but for some reason he didn’t find that amusing. So we went down to let him in, only to find we couldn’t as the door had been locked with a key. (The fire escape led out towards the back of the building.) Eventually the host came along, laughing, and let our friend back inside.
Rule Number One: be back by 10pm or you WILL be locked out
Jill

Camino stories are always so memorable. Good or not so good, I love them all!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Ya'll,

I am truly enjoying this forum and always do a search before I ask a question and don't believe this one has been asked. Has anyone stayed at Auberge du Pelerin in SJPP? If so, would you mind sharing your experience. I am going to be staying in SJPP for 3 nights before starting my Camino and this is where I booked in at. I can always change my reservation should I hear bad stuff about it. I hope someone has stayed there and can tell me all about it. Some questions I have: Does it have a private shower where one can scrub their butts in private??? This will be my first dormitory experience and I would like a run down about what to expect. Thanks in advance all you wonderful people!

I've booked my first night there, as well. Glad to hear some good reports as for some odd reason it had no reviews whatsoever on booking.com. I loved the photos, so booked it anyway. It's sounding quite nice!

 

[Karen C.]

Husband and I are booked there May 11th. Looking forward to it!

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I stayed there late August, 2016. It is a very clean, well run place with meals available, if you wish. Dorm rooms start on the second floor. There are shower stalls for privacy. They also have patio space behind the building. Buen Camino!

 

[Davie Blisters]

All, thank you for so many tips. I will begin my first Camino April 2018. I am naive re: all that must happen before the actual Camino. Is it truly necessary to prearrange a night's stay prior to and during the Camino? If so, how does one know where to make reservations? If I make reservations then it seems there is pressure to walk x miles in order to assure the lodging. I keep reading 'not to rush' the Camino. What do you veteran walkers suggest?
Again, thank you.

Welcome MickyD,
It isn't necessary to pre-book any night stays in advance. However, you'll be tired after travelling from Texas, so I'd suggest you pre-book St Jean. Regarding your other accommodation concerns, this forum is bursting with all the issues and solutions that you'll need - for example your toughest days walk is likely to be the first! But you'll find there are 2 routes and an Albergue to stopover to split the journey. As you navigate the forum over the next 12 months you'll find many solutions to problems you didn't know you had.
Buen Camino
Davie

 

[MickyD]

Welcome MickyD,
It isn't necessary to pre-book any night stays in advance. However, you'll be tired after travelling from Texas, so I'd suggest you pre-book St Jean. Regarding your other accommodation concerns, this forum is bursting with all the issues and solutions that you'll need - for example your toughest days walk is likely to be the first! But you'll find there are 2 routes and an Albergue to stopover to split the journey. As you navigate the forum over the next 12 months you'll find many solutions to problems you didn't know you had.
Buen Camino
Davie

Thank you, Davie. Yes, this Forum and community is so wonderful! Definitely want to walk the Pyrenees route even though I know from reading it is a hard walk. I will take it 1 step at a time.