First time at Beilari hostel - experiences and tips

I stayed there in summer 2019 - lovely place and Joseph the guy who runs it is great. My mom had an injury and he really took care of us. we missed the communal dinner because we had to seek medical attention for the injury, when we returned around 10pm he had hot soup, bread and a salad waiting for us.

We were in a room on the top floor of his place - had 4 beds (2 twin beds and 1 set of bunk beds) a small couch in the room with some closet space. The shared bathroom was down the hall - toilet, sink and shower.

beingpresent said:

the reviews online are wonderful but no mention of bathroom facilities.

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Were you thinking of El Ramon's place in that movie? I've stayed in Beilari twice and I know that there are toilets and showers having used both but I can remember very little about them. So they couldn't have been too dreadful!

You know the Hampton Inn just off the I-25 in Arvada? Well, Beilari is nothing like that at all. Leave your expectations at home. It's a great place to learn the ropes of albergue living though. You will be fine. Go with the flow, and be patient and courteous to those around you. Your cell mates are also very likely nervous and having their first experience as well. I'm only partly kidding about the cell mates part: Beilari isn't one of them, but a few albergues have a decided "prison" feel to them. You will find that unlike the Hampton Inn, you can strike up a conversation very easily with people, because you are all on the same journey. You will meet people there that you will keep running into all the way to Santiago. And unlike the Hamton Inn, there is no TV, you have to share the toilet and shower, and you have roommates. Long showers and monopolizing the bathroom mirror are not a thing on pilgrimage, but long after dinner conversations and early morning starts are a thing. Take ear plugs with you! You will need them.

beingpresent said:

Hello from Denver! I arrive in SJPDP in June. I booked 1st few nights at Beilari and searching forum more info on bathroom and sleeping situation and such. the reviews online are wonderful but no mention of bathroom facilities. I’m so looking forward to that being my start and the experience. However I’m a very light sleeper and this I my first ever hostel and international travel. Anyone care to share their experience? Thanks everyone

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It’s decent, but it’s all downhill from there! I’m afraid you’re going to have to be flexible.

You’ll have plenty stories to tell by the time you get home; and you’ll very probably do it all again.

It’ll be fine.

beingpresent said:

this I my first ever hostel and international travel.

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I think that this is the key.

You can arrive metaphorically loaded down with assumptions and expectations or you can lighten your load and just arrive.

There is a comfort to be had from knowing everything in advance but there is a freedom (and no little satisfaction) to be achieved by expecting little or nothing.

It's all new to you. You can embrace the difference or fight it.

I appreciate that sounds like a whole load of waffle. I would have thought that once upon a time too.

Buen Camino