Armenteira Monastery no longer takes reservations for pilgrims

[rainswift]

I had written earlier in September to the Monastery to inquire about reserving a room for next year in June as I walk the Variante Espiritual. At the time, one of the sisters wrote back that they would take reservations beginning Oct 23 2023. However, they have since updated their website to indicate that they no longer take reservations for pilgrims. So please be aware that if you are walking the Variante and wish to stay at Armenteira Monastery, you cannot reserve a room. You must show up and let the Camino take you as it will.

Peregrinos | Monasterio de Armenteira

Fui peregrino y me acogisteis (Mt 25,35) El Señor guarda a los peregrinos (Sal 145,9) Nuestra hospedería está concebida para pasar varios días de oración y retiro, pero al estar en la variante espiritual del Camino de Santiago Portugués, existe la posibilidad de que si

www.monasteriodearmenteira.es

 

[ElCee]

We stayed at the monastery Oct 9th. We contacted them before we left and they said they were full but would put us on a waiting list. They then contacted us when we were on Camino and said they’d had a cancellation, would we like the room? My walking partner is fluent in Spanish so maybe that helped? It was wonderful but I can understand if they don’t want to deal with pilgrims. There was some rude behaviour at vespers.

 

[rainswift]

I wonder if this is the last year that they are taking reservations for pilgrims. It's a shame that pilgrims were rude at vespers and have possibly made staying at the monastery more difficult for all future pilgrims.

 

[kenwilltravel]

I wonder if this is the last year that they are taking reservations for pilgrims. It's a shame that pilgrims were rude at vespers and have possibly made staying at the monastery more difficult for all future pilgrims.

We stayed there for two nights in June 2022 and definitely noticed tension between the nuns and pilgrims. The main issue is noise. The nuns follow vows of silence and reflection but some pilgrims, particularly those arriving in groups, tend to treat the place like a hotel, which ruins the monastic atmosphere. Misbehaving at Vespers, where you receive the Pilgrim's Blessing, is beyond belief!

 

[rainswift]

We stayed there for two nights in June 2022 and definitely noticed tension between the nuns and pilgrims. The main issue is noise. The nuns follow vows of silence and reflection but some pilgrims, particularly those arriving in groups, tend to treat the place like a hotel, which ruins the monastic atmosphere. Misbehaving at Vespers, where you receive the Pilgrim's Blessing, is beyond belief!

That's so unfortunate. I'm not religious but this is just basic courtesy, to be respectful and grateful. It's not spring break!

 

[ElCee]

We stayed there for two nights in June 2022 and definitely noticed tension between the nuns and pilgrims. The main issue is noise. The nuns follow vows of silence and reflection but some pilgrims, particularly those arriving in groups, tend to treat the place like a hotel, which ruins the monastic atmosphere. Misbehaving at Vespers, where you receive the Pilgrim's Blessing, is beyond belief!

It was people getting up and leaving and coming in during the service. I’m not religious so I don’t have a lot of experience in church but it was very distracting and I thought disrespectful. The pilgrims that were staying in the monastery were all very respectful. The nuns were very friendly and kind.

 

[Vacajoe]

How interesting that the only albergue there just STARTED taking reservations while the only other pilgrim accommodation (monastery) is just stopping. .

 

[Anthony Rocco]

How interesting that the only albergue there just STARTED taking reservations while the only other pilgrim accommodation (monastery) is just stopping. .

When we walked in 2022, the albergue did take our reservation and held places for the two of us. The only way we found to do this was via text, but it worked.

 

[tjdouglas63]

We stayed there for two nights in June 2022 and definitely noticed tension between the nuns and pilgrims. The main issue is noise. The nuns follow vows of silence and reflection but some pilgrims, particularly those arriving in groups, tend to treat the place like a hotel, which ruins the monastic atmosphere. Misbehaving at Vespers, where you receive the Pilgrim's Blessing, is beyond belief!

Well everyone is walking their own camino I guess and being rude to nuns is here to stay. As long as the spiritual foundation of the camino is ignored we can expect more and more of this behavior.

 

[dick bird]

Can I just clarify that the convent has stopped taking reservations? They haven’t stopped taking pilgrims, is that correct?

 

[JCLima]

Can I just clarify that the convent has stopped taking reservations? They haven’t stopped taking pilgrims, is that correct?

Yes.
According to their website, they don't take reservations from pilgrims.
If a pilgrim wants to stay at the monastery, they need to ask when they arrive there. If a room is available, the pilgrim will be allowed to stay.

 

[rainswift]

Can I just clarify that the convent has stopped taking reservations? They haven’t stopped taking pilgrims, is that correct?

@JCLima is correct. I wrote to the sister with whom I had previously communicated and confirmed, they will still take pilgrims on a first-come first-served basis, if there is a room available on that day. Check in will be done in the morning, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. or in the afternoon, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will also still be a pilgrim's blessing.

I also apologized on behalf of rude pilgrims in the past.

 

[VNwalking]

, they will still take pilgrims on a first-come first-served basis, if there is a room available on that day.

This is wonderful news - an albergue deciding to go back to the older way of receiving pilgrims, rather than catering to those who feel they must book everything ahead. There are fewer and fewer places that don't take bookings, making busy caminos even harder for those who want to exploe what it is to let go of trying to control things and see what happens.

 

[rainswift]

I can see the upsides to both planning and spontaneity. As a chronic overplanner, I would have preferred reserving, but am of course willing to let the Camino work its magic.

 

[Jarrad]

This is wonderful news - an albergue deciding to go back to the older way of receiving pilgrims, rather than catering to those who feel they must book everything ahead. There are fewer and fewer places that don't take bookings, making busy caminos even harder for those who want to exploe what it is to let go of trying to control things and see what happens.

Amen

 

[TreshaA2]

Can I just clarify that the convent has stopped taking reservations? They haven’t stopped taking pilgrims, is that correct?

It is first come first served, just like showing up at a municipal. I confirmed this with Sister Paula yesterday (Dec. 10th 2023). It was very stressful for the sisters to deal with the booking process. So hopefully by accepting pilgrims as they have room will lighten their load. I have stayed twice at the Monastery and was inquiring about making reservations for 2024. Sister Paula did send me a nice long list of accommodations nearby.

 

[dick bird]

It is first come first served, just like showing up at a municipal

Thank you. That makes sense.

 

[TreshaA2]

Thank you. That makes sense.

Plus, they don't have to deal with luggage deliveries anymore!