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Thanks Morgan.Pensiones will provide a room, or set of rooms, with (usually) not more than 2 beds. Albergues generally have dormitories, though some also offer rooms. The pensiones generally cost about 30 euros per night. We did stay at two albergues along the way this last time where we were fortunate to have our own rooms with en-suite bathrooms, each time for less than 40 euros for 2 people. It was a great way to get some deep sleep and privacy away from the crowds.
You will also see "casa rurales"; these are more like B&B's and I think they are more common in the Galician mountains than elsewhere along the CF. They tend to run 30-35 euros for a room, usually comfortable for 2 people.
Forum members? Am I missing any of the finer points?
I think that you mean hostales, which are similar to pensiones, with private rooms and private baths. Hostels are like albergues with dorm style accommodations, but not specifically for pilgrims.You have another alternative too. Hostels.
These are usually private rooms similar to pensions.
Fair point Trecile.. I actually did mean Hostels but confused it with other places I’ve stayed. (Ie thinking or recalling a private room?) So there is another choice then of hostales ..I think that you mean hostales, which are similar to pensiones, with private rooms and private baths. Hostels are like albergues with dorm style accommodations, but not specifically for pilgrims.
Hostels are definitely dorm type places, though they may have a few private rooms.Fair point Trecile.. I actually did mean Hostels but confused it with other places I’ve stayed. (Ie thinking or recalling a private room?) So there is another choice then of hostales ..
Annie
I have stayed in some great, welcoming and homey hostales.@notion900 had some very good descriptions and I was glad to see some explanation of the signs. However, I am a bit uncomfortable with the rather negative generalization of hostales. To a large degree, you get what you pay for, and I've found them to be good value. You can often choose to have private bathroom or a shared one. It's true that hostales are not "boutique" accommodation and the quality varies - just like albergues. In that way, it's part of the adventure!
That would be an old style "rooming house" or "pension" in North America. Not so common any more.There are people in Spain that, instead of renting a flat, live in a pension where they have the food included.
Morgan, your description is clear, but I have a nagging question about 'Camino' lodging. Do 'refugios" which were usually associated with a religious house still operate? 20 years ago a clean bed for a night cost as little as $2 or $3. I fully recognize that I could be thinking in the past.Pensiones will provide a room, or set of rooms, with (usually) not more than 2 beds. Albergues generally have dormitories, though some also offer rooms. The pensiones generally cost about 30 euros per night. We did stay at two albergues along the way this last time where we were fortunate to have our own rooms with en-suite bathrooms, each time for less than 40 euros for 2 people. It was a great way to get some deep sleep and privacy away from the crowds.
You will also see "casa rurales"; these are more like B&B's and I think they are more common in the Galician mountains than elsewhere along the CF. They tend to run 30-35 euros for a room, usually comfortable for 2 people.
Forum members? Am I missing any of the finer points?
Morgan, your description is clear, but I have a nagging question about 'Camino' lodging. Do 'refugios" which were usually associated with a religious house still operate? 20 years ago a clean bed for a night cost as little as $2 or $3. I fully recognize that I could be thinking in the past.
I know such ones do exist, but what I mean is don't necessarily get excited to 'upgrade' from an albergue to a hostal. It often doesn't feel like a 'treat' at all.I have stayed in some great, welcoming and homey hostales.
If you mean motel as in "a hotel designed for motorists that usually has a parking area for motor vehicles" or with a similar definition, there are several along the Camino Frances, for example the Avia Hotel just before El Burgo Ranero where camino walkers/pilgrims seem to be happy to stay for one night. A few other similar ones along the CF come to mind. But the puticlubs which my dictionary defines as brothels, ie. establishments for commercial prostitution, may well elicit more comments.One thing I have never seen in Spain is a motel. Although some out of town puticlubs do look very like them.
It always is a treat for me to have a private room with my own bathroom and a real towel!I know such ones do exist, but what I mean is don't necessarily get excited to 'upgrade' from an albergue to a hostal. It often doesn't feel like a 'treat' at all.
on the Camino Mozarabe earlier this year i stayed at a Refugio ,,, completely free ,, in Campanario
Although a number of times I have had my laundry done by the lady of the Pension, one in Gihon she didn't charge me although I wanted to pay her.Ah, another bonus for albergues is that there is a place to wash and line dry your clothes. In a pension, usually you have to make do with washing in the wash basin and drying on the shower rail.