Granon

[yael]

Im about 10 km from Gronon. Any body slept at the manicipal albergue at Granon the last night? Was it very cold there? How early one should get there in order to have a bed? Thanks!

 

[SabsP]

Im about 10 km from Gronon. Any body slept at the manicipal albergue at Granon the last night? Was it very cold there? How early one should get there in order to have a bed? Thanks!

There is no municipal in Grañon only the donativo paroquial San Juan Bautista , the private donativo Casa de las Sonrisas, a private one called Ave de Paso and some Casa Rurales.

https://www.gronze.com/rioja/granon

The Paroquial is not to be missed imho . They have very simple mattrasses but also blankets.

And do not forget : donativo does not mean free. Give what you can miss.

 

[yael]

I was asking on that place actuallly. It was not cold there? Is that place really that nice? Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Is that place really that nice?

No. For physical comfort, it is in the bottom 5%. Stay in a Parador for "nice." Granon, however, is one of the finest albergue experiences.

 

[yael]

Im staing in that straing place, about 10 km before Granon and actually made a reservation for a place that should be nice, about 20 km from here, and my question is whether tostik to my plan and rhythm or change it just because of that albergue experience...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

change it just because of that albergue experience

Excellent question that only you can answer!!

 

[yael]

But i have not been to that albergue, thats why im asking these that are ahead of me

 

[Deleted member 3000]

thats why im asking these that are ahead of me

I see; that's why.

 

[trecile]

I didn't stay at the Parochial albergue in Grañon, and I had two perfectly wonderful Caminos, so it's not absolutely necessary, though I know that it's a highlight of some people's Camino.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

Im staing in that straing place, about 10 km before Granon and actually made a reservation for a place that should be nice, about 20 km from here, and my question is whether tostik to my plan and rhythm or change it just because of that albergue experience...

I don't think I would alter my walking for the Granon experience, although many plan their walking in order to stay there. I understand there is excellent camaraderie, and some special bonding events--passing candles, sharing, time with other like minds.

 

[SabsP]

To me also what makes an albergue a good one depends on my mood of that day, which group of fellow pilgrims you meet in that particular albergue and especially the hospi at that moment.

On the Frances I stayed in two different years in the same albergue ( not Grañon ) and although the owner was the same and as nice on both occasions I felt different the second time but that was because I was in a bad mood and the pilgrims that night were in a party flow where I was not. So you never can tell.

 

[GPeachy]

I enjoyed my stay at San Juan Bautista. The "beds" are thick plastic mattresses on the floor, but they are quite comfortable. I don't remember blankets, but I was there in May 2016 and my sleeping system was enough to keep me warm. If they are very full, you may be sleeping very close to your neighbours. I had a spot near the wall, so I only had someone on my left side. The communal meal was excellent, one of the nicest I had along the Camino. There are photos on their Facebook page.

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Im about 10 km from Gronon. Any body slept at the manicipal albergue at Granon the last night? Was it very cold there? How early one should get there in order to have a bed? Thanks!

I stayed at the parroquial donativo in May 2015. I had not planned to do so, but it became one of my cherished pilgrim memories. You will not have this experience in too many other albergues along the Frances. However, you must be willing to sleep on the mats on the floor, share in meal preparation and clean up, and walk a distance to hang your clothes to dry. Stone church towers are cold at night, and there are no blankets. I wore every piece of clothing I had. AND, I am so thankful that I did not skip this albergue!

 

[mspath]

This albergue, within the church of San Juan Bautista, is VERY special. Open all day its sign reads “Welcome pilgrim make
this your home”. The handsome common room has a fireplace and comfortable
furnishing. Above on a continuous platform are mats for pilgrims' sleeping bags. Kitchen and toilets are new and well equipped. One can
really relax.
Everything is done to make each pilgrim feel at home. Hospitaleros are always warm
and helpful while the communal meals are most pleasant. This is
authentic caritas. Long may it last. Each time I have been there I have wanted to stay forever!

 

[SabsP]

This albergue, within the church of San Juan Bautista, is VERY special. Open all day its sign reads “Welcome pilgrim make
this your home”. The handsome common room has a fireplace and comfortable
furnishing. Above on a continuous platform are mats for pilgrims' sleeping bags. Kitchen and toilets are new and well equipped. One can
really relax.
Everything is done to make each pilgrim feel at home. Hospitaleros are always warm
and helpful while the communal meals are most pleasant. This is
authentic caritas. Long may it last. Each time I have been there I have wanted to stay forever!

Together with Tosantos!

 

[Lydia Gillen]

To have stayed in the albergue at San Juan Bautista in GRanon I count among the blessings of my life.
I have stayed there three times and hope I live to have the privilege of staying there again.
May God bless each and every hospiladero and hospiladera who have worked so hard to keep that wonderful spirit of the Camino so alive.

 

[David Tallan]

A lot of people have described the albergue in Grañon as a highlight of their Camino and one of the most special albergues they stayed at. My son and I stayed there last summer (2016). There was a lot to like about it. The hospitaleros were very welcoming and there was a strong communal ambiance. We enjoyed the communal meal and the non-denominational service afterwards in the balcony overlooking the church. That said, sleeping conditions were quite rustic. You'll be on a mat on the floor without any sort of sheets or pillow. My son found that it really caused his allergies to act up. For both of us, it was certainly one of the least restful sleeps on our pilgrimage. I would still say it was worth staying in this albergue, or the similar one I hear is in Tosantos. I can see why people find them so special. But I couldn't imagine staying in similar albergues every night.

 

[LTfit]

San Juan Bautista has such a special atmosphere, it is almost magical! It was special for me as a pilgrim but even more so as a hospitalera. It is no doubt my all time favorite (and after 15 Caminos, that is saying a lot!).

 

[domigee]

. That said, sleeping conditions were quite rustic. .

That made me laugh out loud! The first time I stayed there, as we climbed the steps to the common room, one of my pilgrim friends said 'have you seen where we are sleeping tonight?' I thought 'no, not yet )
On our way up we had passed a room with gym mattresses on the floor and I thought 'oh, they do meditation or something'
Anyway, that was the bedroom for the early risers, the others who wanted to sleep in were upstairs....
A fabulous experience but I couldn't describe it... You have to live it to understand.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Needless to say we did not stay at Granon. But we had the same wonderful experience that is talked about here when we got to Tosantos.
We also had lots of great communal meals when we invited others to cook and eat with us. There is much talk about how good or otherwise the hospis are - and there is no doubt that some are very special and facilitate a wonderful experience for those passing through - but what is exciting is to realise that we too can be the initiators of hospitality and take that with us along the camino and away from the camino afterwards.

 

[SabsP]

2013 Grañon
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/grañon-2013.3718/

20111 Tosantos
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/albergue-parroquial-en-tosantos.3706/

 

[Preshadon]

I spent a night there last week. I think Tallan described it best. Keep in mind that much of the "experience" comes from what you bring to it. They provide the environment, the opportunity, and you with your fellow pilgrims can make the magic happen. For me it was a bit of a challenge because of my difficulties in ignoring the disruptive consequences of the guests who had too much wine before dinner.

 

[habanerocat]

Granon is a special place. But have they got a stamp yet?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

 

[tjb1013]

CPAP possible in San Juan Bautista? In other words, can you plug something in near your mattress? Hoping so (but not optimistic).

 

[SYates]

@tjb1013 Yes, you can ;-) The parish room has multiple outlets, the upstairs dormitory has some and you can always bring your mattress down to the dinning room which has also several as a last resort. Buen Camino, SY

PS Just make sure the hospitaler@s know about your need and they will help you!

 

[tjb1013]

It is hard to top the news that my blisters are offering their last gasps, but this is close. Gracias @SYates !

 

[Bradypus]

@habanerocat I think that most people here are talking about the parish albergue in Grañon . The private albergue Casa de las Sonrisas is the one without a sello. Last year Ernesto was suggesting that people ask for one in the bar just down the street.

 

[mspath]

@habanerocat I think that most people here are talking about the parish albergue in Grañon . The private albergue Casa de las Sonrisas is the one without a sello. Last year Ernesto was suggesting that people ask for one in the bar just down the street.

That's how it once was during the good old days years ago in the albergue San Juan Bautista; we all drew and dated our own sellos.

 

[SYates]

And the hug the hospitaler@s gave as a good bye in the morning was another sello ;-) BC SY

 

[analeise volpe]

Excellent question that only you can answer!!

I'm thinking of walking the Camino Frances in December, January and February. What is the weather and is it possible? are the albergues open all year?

 

[nycwalking]

That's how it once was during the good old days years ago in the albergue San Juan Bautista; we all drew and dated our own sellos.

What? How many years ago? How wonderful.

 

[mspath]

What? How many years ago? How wonderful.

This was at least the situation during my ten visits from 2004 through 2014.

 

[RENSHAW]

..........Stay in a Parador for "nice." ...........

Hehe Falcon , every now and again you do make me laugh.
As for Granon (I know the OP has long passed the town) I would not be able to give San Juan Bautiste a miss - what a place! Some of my best stays EVER!

 

[analeise volpe]

Hehe Falcon , every now and again you do make me laugh.
As for Granon (I know the OP has long passed the town) I would not be able to give San Juan Bautiste a miss - what a place! Some of my best stays EVER!

Did you respond to my response about walking the Camino Frances in December and January?

 

[mspath]

I'm thinking of walking the Camino Frances in December, January and February. What is the weather and is it possible? are the albergues open all year?

To start your research re Walking in Winter see these earlier recent threads filled with useful links and tips.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/logrono-to-burgos-in-january.50991/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/november-december-cf.50932/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-the-camino-in-december-january.37261/

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I'm thinking of walking the Camino Frances in December, January and February. What is the weather and is it possible? are the albergues open all year?

Most albergues are closed, but there are enough open if you walk the standard stages. Don't expect "second coffee"!!

It is cold, and higher elevations may have snow and ice. Albergues don't like heating for just one pilgrims, so expect less than a couple of hours of heat in the evening. I met only 14 pilgrims in three weeks in January. You won't be competing for beds, but you will not meet many people on the trail.

It is a great time if you are out for a walk. The small places with character are closed, so expect the soulless big places along with the junta and parochial albergues to be your lodging. Hostales are generally open, but you may have to call ahead, and may need to pick up a key at a nearby bar or restaurant.

 

[Andrew108]

Just to confirm that the albergue in the bell tower at Granon does not have/give a stamp. I was there last week and we were asked to draw our own stamp or leave a space. I left a space which then got filled by accident in Hontanas. BTW the albergue at Granon is a great place to stay and the communal meal was great.

 

[SabsP]

Just to confirm that the albergue in the bell tower at Granon does not have/give a stamp. I was there last week and we were asked to draw our own stamp or leave a space. I left a space which then got filled by accident in Hontanas. BTW the albergue at Granon is a great place to stay and the communal meal was great.

Indeed I got my sello at Bar Teo.
https://vivecamino.com/en/granon/where-to-eat/

2014 . Rioja Crianza and a lovely small tapa : 1 €. I felt ashamed to pay that little.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Can you reserve a place at Grañon?

 

[nycwalking]

Can you reserve a place at Grañon?

No.

It’s a Parochial albergue; fun by the church.

No reservations.

It was one of my favorite stops on the way.

 

[Anniesantiago]

No.

It’s a Parochial albergue; fun by the church.

No reservations.

It was one of my favorite stops on the way.

Thanks. I've stayed there before. Loved it. Just wondered if things had changed.