St. Jean totally booked end of June 2017?

[Heidi Else]

Hi,
Need some guidance/help. Am planning my first Camino for end of June 2017. Specifically, arriving in St. Jean on 24 and starting camino on 26. Went on booking.com and all hotels/hostals are booked up. Is that "typical"? Suggestions where I could stay near St. Jean? Yes, I want to start my Camino there. Thank you!

 

[SYates]

I think you might be a bit too early ;-) I am sure these hotels haven't been booked out, they simply haven't yet submitted their availabilities to booking.com

Buen Camino and welcome to the forum, SY

 

[Heidi Else]

I think you might be a bit too early ;-) I am sure these hotels haven't been booked out, they simply haven't yet submitted their availabilities to booking.com

Buen Camino and welcome to the forum, SY

Thank you for this information! I was a bit stressed out. I guess that must be a sign of a first time walker.

 

[SYates]

Even if you arrive without any reservation at SJPdP, the pilgrims office will help you to find a bed. Booking the first night, just takes the stress out of the first day. Buen Camino, SY

 

[GlenysP]

Agree with SYates on both points. The volunteers at the Pilgrim's Office will ask you to return about 15 minutes before closing and they'll escort you to.... at least a mattress on the floor. Also, knowing that my friend who's on the Camino now, booked Orisson months out, but not SJPdP and then panicked because she left it too late as they were booked out (September), for peace of mind I'd start trying again after about February. Maybe once or twice a month until they reopen bookings. Also note that many along the Camino close anyway during the coldest snowy Winter months, so don't monitor their emails during that time.

 

[Heidi Else]

Agree with SYates on both points. The volunteers at the Pilgrim's Office will ask you to return about 15 minutes before closing and they'll escort you to.... at least a mattress on the floor. Also, knowing that my friend who's on the Camino now, booked Orisson months out, but not SJPdP and then panicked because she left it too late as they were booked out (September), for peace of mind I'd start trying again after about February. Maybe once or twice a month until they reopen bookings. Also note that many along the Camino close anyway during the coldest snowy Winter months, so don't monitor their emails during that time.

Thank you so much for your advice! I will try again in February.

 

[marbuck]

Hi,
Need some guidance/help. Am planning my first Camino for end of June 2017. Specifically, arriving in St. Jean on 24 and starting camino on 26. Went on booking.com and all hotels/hostals are booked up. Is that "typical"? Suggestions where I could stay near St. Jean? Yes, I want to start my Camino there. Thank you!

Don't worry, we tried Bookings.com far in advance for a night in SJPDP and got the same answer. We have been there 3 times now and we always get a room, but closer to the date. If you are looking for a private room may I recommend the Hotel Ramuntcho 'https://www.logishotels.com/fr/hotel/hotel-ramuntcho-1769?partid=661" It is very close to the Pilgrim Office and in a great position.

 

[Kanga]

By virtue of their market position the behemoths booking.com and Expedia can force ever increasing fees out of hotels. Ring or email direct to the hotel and you will probably get a better deal, certainly help a small business, and also get accurate information on availability.

 

[wayfarer]

I would agree with Kanga, this has worked to my advantage a few times both on and off the Camino.

 

[Roger B]

Don't worry too much people cancel so just keep checking.

 

[Heidi Else]

Don't worry, we tried Bookings.com far in advance for a night in SJPDP and got the same answer. We have been there 3 times now and we always get a room, but closer to the date. If you are looking for a private room may I recommend the Hotel Ramuntcho 'https://www.logishotels.com/fr/hotel/hotel-ramuntcho-1769?partid=661" It is very close to the Pilgrim Office and in a great position.

Thank you so much for the suggestion. Hotel Ramuntcho looks very nice!

 

[Heidi Else]

By virtue of their market position the behemoths booking.com and Expedia can force ever increasing fees out of hotels. Ring or email direct to the hotel and you will probably get a better deal, certainly help a small business, and also get accurate information on availability.

Great suggestion to call directly. Will most certainly do!

 

[expmrw]

Hi,
Need some guidance/help. Am planning my first Camino for end of June 2017. Specifically, arriving in St. Jean on 24 and starting camino on 26. Went on booking.com and all hotels/hostals are booked up. Is that "typical"? Suggestions where I could stay near St. Jean? Yes, I want to start my Camino there. Thank you!

Don't go through Booking.com just go on line and search for a B and B. We found a great one run by a member of the mountain rescue, so he was the ideal person to tell us whther it was Route Napolean or not.

 

[kdespot]

Can't recommend Beilari highly enough. I spent my first night of my first camino there and felt like I was really and finally a pilgrim after the warm welcoming dinner that Joseph and Elizabeth provided. You'll feel like you're part of the Camino family when you walk out in the morning. Res by emailing them.

 

[Lori Butler]

I heartily second the recommendation for Beilari. I have stayed there twice now, in 2015 at the end of my Le Puy route and at the beginning of the Frances last June. It is a lovely gite-- clean, peaceful, central, and very well run. Just don't be late for dinner! By the way I booked in March for 2 people mid-June and had no problem.

 

[long trails]

Looks like St Jean is sold out as I picked a random night next September and there were over 30 properties available.

I had the same issue in May of this year, wanted to book something before and no online availability for that night. I managed to get a bed easily on the day and at a much cheaper price than online (for other nights).

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

each booking site (booking.com, expedia.com, whatever.com) only has so many rooms. SJPdP may be booked solid, but perhaps not. Try those same sites, plus others like gronze.com and eroski (http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/etapa-de-saint-jean-pied-de-port-a-roncesvalles)...then contact the actual albergues/gites via phone or email. it may be that everything is booked but sometimes not...
good hunting and buen camino

 

[domigee]

If you arrive too late for albergue accommodation, I liked this place:
http://www.hotel-itzalpea.com
I would phone or email them direct.
Buen camino

 

[anne maire germaine]

hi I'm in the same position am trying to book in advance for ten people and am afraid to boo flights if no accommodation available july of next year ive tried e mailing hotels direct tried loads of booking web sites but no luck so far would be delighted to know when you manage to book accommodation anne maire

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

could it be because you are trying for 10 rooms? I put the 12th of Jul into booking.com and got a couple of options in SJPdP and several others up to 3km away. For albergues and maybe even hotels you probably need to deal directly with them, or perhaps split up your group, or both...and as others have said, more may be available as you get closer to your date...but if you must have rooms set, I'd try splitting up the group and see if smaller numbers work
good luck

 

[wally]

This past September, I stayed at the Hotel du Fronton

It's in Lecumbarrie (sp?) and it's about 11 mi. east of SJPDP

Lovely little inn, reasonable. You get your own room.

for what it's worth, I'd recommend it
flyfishinguy