Frustration: no room at the inn

[Loretta S]

A bit frustrated. Arrived in larassona 2 days ago at 3:00 at albuerges were full. Kind owner at al. Nich? called and found us a spot 2 km back and incredibly offered to drive us. Alas had to walk that 2 km again in morning. Called ahead to a few albergues and hostels last night while in Pamplona and each one we called was already full for tonight and many for tomorrow. Yikes. I wasn't expecting to need to book albergues days in ahead. Now worried that we will not have a place to stay in puenta reina and it is a long walk today. Off we go.

 

[VNwalking]

Hello, Loretta,
I can imagine the frustration!. You may be in a 'wave.'
Try staying in intermediate towns - there are 2 immediately before PlR (Muruzabal and Obanos).
The 'scene' is much quieter at such places and it'll be more likely that there is room at the inn. I stayed at Muruzabal last May when it was pretty crowded and had no trouble fining space.

 

[james walter purdum iv]

Hello, Loretta,
I can imagine the frustration!. You may be in a 'wave.'
Try staying in intermediate towns - there are 2 immediately before PlR (Muruzabal and Obanos).
The 'scene' is much quieter at such places and it'll be more likely that there is room at the inn. I stayed at Muruzabal last May when it was pretty crowded and had no trouble fining space.

Lovely family run hostel with a pool just down the mountain from the pilgrim memorial

 

[peregrina2000]

In years past, September has been very crowded along certain points of the Frances. If you look at the pilgrim office statistics, you can see how its popularity has increased dramatically, in fact it is one of the busiest months of the whole year. This year is breaking all records, so I imagine this September will be more crowded than last. Just makes it so much more important to avoid the typical end stages. Good luck Loretta and keep us posted! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[trecile]

Try walking past Pamplona to Cizur Menor. I stayed at Albergue Maribel Roncal there. It was very nice. They take reservations too.
In Puente la Reina try Albergue Guía Estrella. Natalia who runs it is a former peregrina from Brazil, and is wonderful. After that stop in Villatuerta rather than Estella, and stay at La Casa Mágica - one of the very best albergues on the Camino. You can book it on Booking.com, and there is no cancelation fee if you change your mind.

 

[james walter purdum iv]

Try walking past Pamplona to Cizur Menor. I stayed at Albergue Maribel Roncal there. It was very nice. They take reservations too.
In Puente la Reina try Albergue Guía Estrella. Natalia who runs it is a former peregrina from Brazil, and is wonderful. After that stop in Villatuerta rather than Estella, and stay at La Casa Mágica - one of the very best albergues on the Camino. You can book it on Booking.com, and there is no cancelation fee if you change your mind.

La casa magical is magical!!

 

[HedaP]

Hi Loretta,
Getting caught in a bed race is not fun! Lots of good advice above. Not sure if this will help but I had a contingency plan should I end the day in a town with no beds. It was to call a taxi to take me to a nearby town off the camino and then take another taxi back in the morning. I never had to put this plan into action thanks to the kindness of various hospitaleros but having the plan did help calm the nerves and allowed me to enjoy the walking without stressing about whether I would have a bed to sleep in that night.
Another thought I had when reading your post was to finish your day's walking a bit earlier while you are in this busy wave of pilgrims.
Buen camino

 

[VNwalking]

View attachment 35960
Lovely family run hostel with a pool just down the mountain from the pilgrim memorial

After that stop in Villatuerta rather than Estella, and stay at La Casa Mágica - one of the very best albergues on the Camino.

I can only affirm what trecile, and james have said...
How goes it, Loretta?

 

[Saint Mike II]

"Me Too" Last May I specifically adjusted my walking days so as to get away from the Brierley stages. After Puente La Reina I can recommend Casa Magica in Villatuerta and then Villamayor de Monjadin (although Los Acros is one of my favourite towns. Viana & Navarrete are almost places to plan as over night stops. Cheers

 

[DebR]

Hello, Loretta,
I can imagine the frustration!. You may be in a 'wave.'
Try staying in intermediate towns - there are 2 immediately before PlR (Muruzabal and Obanos).
The 'scene' is much quieter at such places and it'll be more likely that there is room at the inn. I stayed at Muruzabal last May when it was pretty crowded and had no trouble fining space.

I'd highly recommend Muruzabal, by the way. I also stayed there, in early May this year, and it was a real oasis. Great food, wonderful facilities (including a pool!) and from there it's an easy afternoon stroll off Camino to visit the church st Eunate.

 

[DebR]

"Me Too" Last May I specifically adjusted my walking days so as to get away from the Brierley stages. After Puente La Reina I can recommend Casa Magica in Villatuerta and then Villamayor de Monjadin (although Los Acros is one of my favourite towns. Viana & Navarrete are almost places to plan as over night stops. Cheers

And Ventosa...I had a brilliant night there at the Albergue in May.

 

[Dorpie]

I stayed at the albergue Sanitago Apostol just the other side of the bridge in Puenta De La Reina in July and it was virtually deserted. Think the fact that it's the other side of town and up a hill put most poeple off. Not exactly brimming with character but had a fantastic pool.

 

[domigee]

Loved that pool

 

[C & W]

Obanos was nice - just about 2 km from Eunate or Puente la Reina.

 

[zolarose]

View attachment 35969
La casa magical is magical!!

I loved La Casa Magica! And the evening meal? I have no words!!

 

[Loretta S]

Hello, Loretta,
I can imagine the frustration!. You may be in a 'wave.'
Try staying in intermediate towns - there are 2 immediately before PlR (Muruzabal and Obanos).
The 'scene' is much quieter at such places and it'll be more likely that there is room at the inn. I stayed at Muruzabal last May when it was pretty crowded and had no trouble fining space.

I think you're right we are in a swell. We did stay in Obanos and it was gr

 

[Loretta S]

Thank you all. Great suggestions. We are currently in Los Arcos. We are planning to go to logrono tomorrow. I have reserved a place. Then will look at stages and probably stay in "off" villages as you recommend. Sorry I vented in my first post. I was tired and frustrated but doing better now.