Money transfer to a bank

[capun]

Hello

I am trying to reserve an Albergue room but they only take a direct deposit to their bank account.

My bank fees are astronomical that it does not make sense to do it. And they won't take PayPal money transfers or credit cards.

Does anyone has tried a different way? One that is not so expensive?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Find another place, or go without a reservation. The Spanish account to account transfer is not compatible with the U.S. banking system. Sorry. :cry:

There will not be a problem just dropping in for your April pilgrimage. You won't need reservations.

 

[capun]

The problem is that we are arriving very early and don't start until the next day. We need a private double room where we can leave our stuff while we do some sightseeing and do some purchases.

I checked a couple of other places via TripAdvisor that you can book online. One is the Hotel Mar de Plata which is convenient and the other is the Carris Alfonso IX which has a good rate but I think it is a bit far to walk from the train station.

Both hotels have the problem of a late check-in, I'll be sending them emails to see if we can have an earlier check-in.

Anyone has any feedback on those 2 hotels?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Everything in Sarria is the same distance from the train station -- it is at one end of town. The Alfonso IX is fantastic. If you have a good rate, go for it.

 

[ranthr]

Alfonso IX is ok and central nearly at the camino. If you eat there try the restaurant instead of the kafeteria!
ranthr

 

[capun]

The internet rate I am getting is 50 Euros for a 2-peson double room, no breakfast.

The biggest issue is the late check-in and I don't see an email to send them a query

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hola,
Have you tried using either venere.com or booking.com . Both sites take a credit card as surety, then you actually pay the hotel. Check in time is usually around 13.00, with late check in around 18.00, although you can advise if you are going to be later. Many hotels will have a safe place to put your bags if you arrive too early to check in (ie before rooms are ready).
We have found both sites work well. It is worth checking both as one sometimes has a lower rate than the other for the same hotel.

 

[capun]

Tia Valeria

Yes I have used Bookings.com through TripAdvisor before and it did show both Hotels. I have been communicating with Mar de Plata and they will hold our packs before the check-in, they will let us in earlier if there is a room available. I can reserve it via Bookings or by sending a form with the CC info to put a 50% deposit, I don't like sending CC so most likely use Bookings.com

 

[capun]

An update

Mar de Plata is 55 Euros from their site or Bookings.com and it seems to have been renovated not too long ago

Alfonso IX is 50 Euros (refundable) through their site, 42.50 Euros (non-refundable) from Bookings.com, some comments from TripAdvisor is that the hotel infrastructure needs some work, not bad but some issues.

Both check-in times are now 12 Noon, and both will let us have the room if there is one available at that time. With the number of rooms I guess the Alfonso IX has a better chance to have one available.

Any other feedback on those two hotels so I can compare and decide?

Thanks