On my very first Camino, in 2000, the big albergue was not open, and all peregrinos stayed in the youth hostel (if you continue walking straight ahead when you get to the pilgrim's office, it's a big building in that complex). It's been closed the other times I've been there. The main difference is that the youth hostel had rooms rather than the open floor plan of the albergue. So, there's a chance you won't have snorers in the youth hostel, but if you sleep in the albergue someone somewhere will be snoring within earshot. I also think that there were regular, not bunk beds, but my memory is a little fuzzy, and of course that may change if it's reopened.
I agree that although the albergue is big and like an airplane hangar, there are plenty of opportunities for interaction -- down in the basement, there's seating and tables, and people are always hanging around outside in the nice weather. I think I'd just go where the people I've struck up a conversation with are going.
Buen camino, Laurie