May 2015 - Hotels are full already?

[Cari T]

I've been sussing out several great recommendations from forum members on where their first nights sleep was in SJPDP, but i'm running into roadblocks with expedia/booking.com etc as these sites are saying 'nothing available' for my date ~ May 9, 2015.

Am I looking too far in advance or could this really be the case that things are booking this far in advance. Has anyone else booked for this time? I'd be interested to know where you are staying and what method you used to make your reservation. I was just going to leave it to chance on arriving, but now I'm having second thoughts.

~Cari

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Am I looking too far in advance or could this really be the case that things are booking this far in advance.

Probably you are trying too far in advance. Go to individual hotel sites, and you may be able to book that far in advance.

Booking.com is showing vacancies in May 2015, at least at the Hotel Ramuntcho.

 

[fraluchi]

I have no great respect for announcements in Bookings.com, Expedia.com or any other of these hotel and related services search engines. Most of the time the hotel owners are not even managing their sites, let alone so far ahead. They rely on the engines to "manage" for them in the hope that eventually a better rate may be achieved.
As a retired hotelier I know, that if there are no world moving congresses or other mass conventions taking place at a certain time and location, I will always find last minute accommodation. On the Camino this may even be at private houses.
Most people's concerns are that they want to be sure of a place to stay and do not like "adventure". They also forget that between now and their date in six months time, many circumstances can change both for them, their travel plans and the destination.
When for one or the other reason there is no bed to be found (at an "acceptable" price), a few kilometers down the road generally has availability.

 

[whariwharangi]

Try booking a hotel in New York that far in advance and see what happens.

Try again closer to date of travel ... after New Years at the least.

Further, instead of using expedia.ca try searching 'accommodation Saint Jean Pied de Port'. Otherwise you get expedia results for a radius around SJPdP, most of which is of no use to you.

 

[mspath]

In France Friday May 1, 2015, is Labor day/ Fête du Travail and Friday May 8, 2015, is Victory day/ jour de Victoire commemorating the end of WW2 in Europe. These are popular holidays with multitudes of tourists traveling. Transport and accommodation is usually heavily booked in advance.

 

[Cari T]

I have no great respect for announcements in Bookings.com, Expedia.com or any other of these hotel and related services search engines. ...
Most people's concerns are that they want to be sure of a place to stay and do not like "adventure". They also forget that between now and their date in six months time, many circumstances can change both for them, their travel plans and the destination.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm all up for the adventure part... I've been caught up in others panic and plugged in my own dates just for fun.. was shocked at the limited availability. I know from experience that the better sleeps are those places that don't involve themselves with the big 'corp' engines to do their work. I'm looking forward to my happenstance journey

 

[Cari T]

In France Friday May 1, 2015, is Labor day/ Fête du Travail and Friday May 8, 2015, is Victory day/ jour de Victoire commemorating the end of WW2 in Europe. These are popular holidays with multitudes of tourists traveling. Transport and accommodation is usually heavily booked in advance.

Oh wow.. I didn't realize that... this would explain the frenzy of online booking activity ~ Thanks for the heads up !

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In 2014 there are three holidays in France in May that land on a Thursday. Expect four-day weekends for everyone! That is, twelve days in May that are holidays, plus Mother's Day on a Sunday.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/france/

 

[Olivares]

Typically in Spain, hotels prices for the upcoming year are posted in November. Many instances when you are getting "booked" is actually "pricing not available yet'. Email the hotel directly. I only deal with sites like booking.com if no other venue is available.

 

[Cari T]

In 2014 there are three holidays in France in May that land on a Thursday. Expect four-day weekends for everyone! That is, twelve days in May that are holidays, plus Mother's Day on a Sunday.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/france/

My first Camino step will be on Mother's Day

 

[bystander]

I think there are traps a lot of us thinking of booking in advance are falling into.
And I am/have been one of those "over-planners"!
Others on this forum have warned me about this and given this advise.
1) Don't believe the "only 2 whatevers are left" on tripadvisor or booking.com sites - they're only trying to get there percentage by making you book through them.
2) To do a booking go straight to the hotel/hostel etc website direct.
3) Yes, for us novices and peace of mind for the first days on camino do contact as early as insecure as you feel!
BUT
4) from all I have read over the years on this site something, if it all goes t*ts up, will always turn up to provide for what you need.
Buen camino, despite my pre-planning and worries, I am sure it is all going to work out one way or another!

 

[annakappa]

We always choose to sleep in a hotel, pension or B&B the first night, hoping that way to have a reasonable nights sleep after our fairly long journey and 8 hours jet lag......... However we never book anything until we have landed in Madrid, because not always your journey goes to plan ( we were hopelessly delayed once, due to a guy who suffered an overdose on our plane. We were diverted to the Domenican Republic and once landed, we spent hours on the Tarmac, waiting first for the para medics to attend to this person, then waited for refueling, then waiting for all protocols to clear us for take off). We choose a few possibilities where could stay and then phone through once at Barajas (Madrid airport).Anne

 

[Mark Lee]

Yeah, contact the hotels in SJPDP directly from their web site(s). That should help.
On my first Camino I spent my first night in SJPDP at the Central Hotel. I arrived in SJPDP on he last train and didn't get there until about 10:30 pm. The Central Hotel was the only place open and my only option besides sleeping outside, ha ha, but turned out to be quite comfortable. Very gracious lady that managed it. Nice little bar and restaurant inside.

 

[Cari T]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded!!!!! I sort of already knew this, but suppose I just needed a little re-assurance from some experienced pellegrinos. I can breathe and relax now that you've helped to subdue my temporary 'omg' moment

Moderator ~ are you able to close this thread? I do not want my little 'panic hiccup' to resonate or to suggest anything false throughout this wonderful forum.

~Cari