Hunto or Orisson

[lorax]

Hi all....

I was just wondering about which of these two alberques would be the best one for my first night on the Camino. I KNOW I do not want to walk all the way to Roncevalles the first day.... plus I'd love to stay the night in the mountains.

Does anyone know how I can make a reservation (in English please, if that's possible) so that I know I won't have to sleep with the sheep?? I can't wait for this journey to finally begin... but sadly that's not until August.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[jl]

Hi Karla, The pilgrim office made a booking for me at Hunto the day I arrived in St Jean. It is a very large gite, and therfore I doubt that it will be any probelms to get a bed there. As for booking in English it is another matter entirely about Orisson - can't help on that one - (which is why I opted for Hunto). It is much smaller and had (in 2007) a bit of a repuation for being somewhat pernickety! Hunto wouldn't have won a prize as the best gite we stayed in, but there was hot water for a shower after a hard days walking and a bed - which is all we required. It also provides dinner and breakfast. Cheers, Janet

 

[William Marques]

If you are starting from SJPP in the morning then Orisson is the better bet I suggest that you contact them via e-mail as they may not respond to messages via their website http://www.refuge-orisson.com/ their e-mail addresses are Jean-jacques.etchandy@wanadoo.fr and refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr

Hunto (Untto) makes more sense if you start from SJPP later in the day, for instance if you have taken a train into SJ that morning and want to make a start to your journey rather than stay in town all day.

 

[colinPeter]

Hi Karla,
I just use a combination of "Google Translate" and English, I find most places will respond kindly to that.
Col

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Hi Karla,

I did sleep at Orisson, a very friendly albergue.
The pilgrims office in St Jean Pied de Port can make the reservation for you, or you can do it yourself by e-mail:
http://www.refuge-orisson.com/index.html

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo.

 

[WolverineDG]

I was on the receiving end of Orisson's persnicketyness in 2007. I had made my reservation well in advance & had received an email confirmation. When the folks at L'Espirit called them for me, however, whoever answered the phone YELLED back at them. So loud that I could hear her speak. According to this person I had no reservation, they didn't know who I was, etc. Unfortunately for me, I had left the confirmation email at home (lesson learned), so I shrugged & decided to go the Valcarlos route. A day or so later, I met up with a man who showed up at Orisson & was given a tent to sleep in because they were out of room. They didn't give him a discount either & it stormed wildly that night.

So I'm very interested in hearing about this "tent" albergue that is beyond Orisson.

Kelly

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Hi,

As told before I slept in Orisson last autumn.
The refuge fills quickly at summertime
So Jean-Jaques has put up some tents for the overflow.
I can't recall the prices, but I've been told that the tents are cheaper than the bunk-beds.

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo.

 

[Christina]

I made my booking at Orisson in French but somehow they detected that I was English so they replied in very good English. They have asked that I confirm the day before. They sounded business like. let's hope it all goes well. My first attempt at booking through their reservation link on their web site didn't work but I had no trouble once I used their email address that I picked from the discussion on the forum.

 

[jeff001]

Hunto is only about 4km from St Jean while Orisson is more like 10km. Going to Orisson will make the trip to Roncesvalles easier the second day.

 

[lorax]

Hi all...

Thanks for all the info.... I know Hunto is only a little ways.. but it is all uphill....I want to stay at one of them, and I'd like to stay at the one with the best views and nicest to stay at.... which one would you choose for that? I love the mountains, so maybe I'll stay at both. Has anyone done that? I have 80 days in which to walk to Santiago and Finnesterre. And I'm old... did I mention that?? grin

 

[lorax]

I have one other question.... what if you make a reservation at Hunto or Orisson and then the weather is bad and you have to take the Valcarlos route? Can they notify them from SJPP?? Would I still be charged?

Sorry... I know I'm anal about alot of this... but I just like to be a little prepared.

 

[colinPeter]

... what if you make a reservation at Hunto or Orisson and then the weather is bad and you have to take the Valcarlos route? Can they notify them from SJPP?? Would I still be charged? ...

I think you'll find Orisson might charge you half upfront (Paypal) to confirm, that's how it worked with me.
Col

 

[crackmrmac]

Hi Karla,
I first approached Orisson from Spain and recall the views being better here than lower down. Perhaps others could comment.

Buen Camino

Brian.

 

[Arn]

Hi Karla,

If you're looking for a fantastic view then Orisson is where you want to stay. When I arrived, there were two very attractive young ladies from Switzerland whom I joined for a beer. We talked about the Camino a bit, but both of them kept commenting on the fantastic view and location. Several minutes later, one of the girls got up and went inside. When she returned she said, "I asked the owner if they ever had marriage ceremonies here and he said, of course."

So, if it's good enough for a wedding...must be one heck of a view!

Buen with this ring Camino,

Arn