Which albergue in Espinal?

[trecile]

There's a couple of albergues in Espinal; Haizea and Irugoienea. I just wanted to hear from anyone who has stayed at either or both, and what you liked or didn't like.
Thanks

 

[SabsP]

There's a couple of albergues in Espinal; Haizea and Irugoienea. I just wanted to hear from anyone who has stayed at either or both, and what you liked or didn't like.
Thanks

I did not stop there but these links can give you more information.

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/etapa-de-roncesvalles-a-zubiri

https://www.gronze.com/navarra/espinal

 

[GettingThere]

There's a couple of albergues in Espinal; Haizea and Irugoienea. I just wanted to hear from anyone who has stayed at either or both, and what you liked or didn't like.
Thanks

Hi @trecile
We stayed at Haizea in April 2015. It's really a hostal with one (I think) 8-bed dorm along with mostly private rooms, rather than an albergue. We had one of the double rooms. It was very comfortable and clean, the proprietors very welcoming. It's above a bar so potentially could have been noisy at night but wasn't (or maybe we slept too soundly!) I would recommend it.

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Hi @trecile, I stayed at Haizea in late March 2015 with another woman and we had the whole dormitory to ourselves. It had good beds, was immaculately clean, there was a lift to the upper floors, the showers were great, the evening meal excellent as was the breakfast. My Spanish is limited and the man we dealt with behind the bar did not speak English, but we managed to communicate what was needed. I recommend the place, but people we had met in Valcarlos ended up in the bar/restaurant (it is very popular with local people) in Haizea and they had no complaints about their own albergue up the road from there. Buen Camino!

 

[Purky]

Stayed at Haizea late may 2016, and have practically the same review as SEB. Fabulous showers, indeed. It had a nice homey feel to it, at least for me.

 

[Sarah80]

Stayed at Haizea in July 2015, fine albergue, its also the town bar though so it has a locals plus pilgrims feel to it, but beds were good, showers good, clean, an above average albergue

 

[champ27]

There's a couple of albergues in Espinal; Haizea and Irugoienea. I just wanted to hear from anyone who has stayed at either or both, and what you liked or didn't like.
Thanks

Hi,
I stayed at Irugoienea last year (April 2016) and it was good. Basic, clean, nice owner. I believe there were 5 bunks (10 beds) in the mixed dorm room. Bathroom/showers were clean (private stalls but co-ed). The dinner was basic but homecooked, and he gave us all a nice little taster of the local liqueor (the name escapes me now). Breakfast was spare - instant coffee or tea plus prepackaged crackers/toasts, jam, and prepackaged cookies. I stopped at the next town the next morning for my much needed "real" coffee . But I would stay there again. The owner was kind, and I slept well after a fantastic walk from Orisson. Buen Camino!

 

[marciarsm]

Hi, I am thinking of pushing on to Espinal from Valcarlos. The 8pm Mass and pilgrim blessing at Roncevalles is something I would not want to miss. I've heard that Irugoienea would drive pilgrims to Roncevalles. Does anyone have experience with this?; is the ride to Roncevalles just in the morning to be able to start from there, or is it for the evening service? Irugoienea also offers an evening meal which I'd like to be present for.

 

[trecile]

Thanks for the responses. I have actually made reservations at both places. (don't worry, I'll cancel the one we don't use) Despite the fact that I'm really a "no reservations" type of person.
But this year, I'll be walking with a friend, who is just walking for 10 days, and I want to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
The fact that Haizea has good showers is especially appealing since we will be at Orisson the night before with their not so great showers.

 

[Mike Savage]

I stayed at Irugoienea in September 2015. Very clean and welcoming. It felt like home and I was treated like family.

Mike

 

[Saint Mike II]

There's a couple of albergues in Espinal; Haizea and Irugoienea. I just wanted to hear from anyone who has stayed at either or both, and what you liked or didn't like.
Thanks

I stayed in Haizea about two weeks ago. I think it was E10 or 12 for the bed & 12.5 for an enjoyable meal, of 3 plates wine, bread & water. But no breakfast so try to find the little shop to get your breakfast or be prepared for the 5km to Viskarret for coffee? More than half the beds were single beds, two or three bunks.
Cheers