Part of what I just shared with the OP via PM, but think might add to the open discussion....
I'm not much of a risk taker. When first I decided to walk the Camino I found a middle ground between the die-hard don't-book-ahead crowd, and the pricey commercial book-everything-ahead firms like Macadventures, Camino Ways, and etc....
A Camino Forum regular,
anniesantiago, advertised escorted small-group walks; sounded 'safe' and the price was right. So I walked with Annie in 2012. Can't find words to describe how much fun I had! That led me to escorted small group walks led by a lovely South African Camino Forum regular,
sillydoll. So I did several walks with her. Both still offer group walks, and I can recommend both of them. Their walks fill up quickly....
www.anniewalkers.com
www.amawalkerscamino.com
But my group walk experiences, my familiarity with Spanish history and culture, and my almost-adequate Spanish, eventually led me into the realm of entirely solo walks. I've now walked the whole length of the Frances twice, the Finisterre, and the Aragones. Last September I walked the Meseta solo, from Logrono to Leon. This coming September I'm planning to solo walk the Portugues from Tui to Santiago, and then carry on to Finisterre again.
I very rarely stay in the super-low-cost dormitory-style albergues anymore, but admit that they have an almost cult-like status in the eyes of many.... It's whatever floats your boat, OK?.... I'm 65+, snore, an introvert who likes his privacy, and who doesn't have to prove anything to anybody..... I can afford cheap private rooms, and so that's where I stay. Works for me! Never had any trouble finding good company when I wanted it.
Now, if I'm walking a section that I've walked before, I know the specific places I want to stay and I book those places myself, well ahead, using booking.com. It's very easy.... If I'm walking a section I have not walked before, I have Wiktoria @ Camino Travel Center book places for me.