Why were we not informed??

[Rebekah Scott]

All through this year the Paradors were trying to lure pilgrims into their lairs! Why were we not informed sooner?

http://www.parador.es/es/ofertas/no...m_campaign=1709_12_planes_gastro_otono_amigos

 

[HeidiL]

I've been offered pilgrim prices in Paradores for years and years - but this seemed to be at the pleasure of the reception people. A specific OFFER like this - my, I will have to try to squeeze in an extra Camino this autumn...

 

[MileHighPair]

We were offered a special room price and a 15E pilgrim meal at the Paradore in Villafranca del Bierzo in 2014. It was our one night of luxury on a 44 day Camino. (The evening a Peaceable Kingdom was also very nice, that year).

 

[Kiwi-family]

Because you're a Camino Busybody and they were wondering how long it would take you to find out ;-)

 

[Patch]

I used them for a couple of nights this year but......the senior rate was better then the pilgrim rate

 

[SYates]

What about the "Senior Pilgrim Rate" @Patch? BC SY

 

[JillGat]

In my experience, paradoxes won't even give you their WiFi password if you don't have a room there.

 

[Patch]

I went to the one in Leon last year and had a good room, a really good breakfast and it was a beautiful building to boot. This year I went to the one in Tui this year (Portuguese/Spanish border) and I thought the room was so so, the building uninspiring and the breakfast not so great - in my opinion it would have been better and cheaper to have found something else. But that's just my humble opinion

 

[Icacos]

In my experience, paradoxes won't even give you their WiFi password if you don't have a room there.

A paradox indeed!

 

[Mark Barnes]

I wish the link had an english version as I cannot use my translator to read it. I am in Burgos today so I have a few days prior to Leon to figure it out.

 

[Tincatinker]

Mark, upper right quadrant of the screen you reach via the link has "ESPANOL" with a downward pointing arrow next to it, Click on the arrow and it offers a menu of languages.

15% off a Parador room, or if you are a jubilado (over 60) sometimes as much as 50% off. Albergues still come in a lot cheaper but you don't often get cotton sheets

 

[Mark Barnes]

Mark, upper right quadrant of the screen you reach via the link has "ESPANOL" with a downward pointing arrow next to it, Click on the arrow and it offers a menu of languages.

15% off a Parador room, or if you are a jubilado (over 60) sometimes as much as 50% off. Albergues still come in a lot cheaper but you don't often get cotton sheets

Oh, thank you very much.

 

[hel&scott]

Clean sheets and a bath, with warm water and cold cava. It's nice when you get a discount and a room on the ground floor "So you don't have to worry about the stairs, madam." Though you do get funny looks when you turn up at the next albergue with a parador stamp in you credential.

 

[Tincatinker]

The Beloved and I walked into reception in the Parador in Santillana del Mar. Muddy boots, sweaty pilgrim outfits, packs still on our backs. "we have two rooms available for Pilgrims" we were told. The first, for €40, was the usual square, comfortable, well equipped, bog-standard Parador room: the other had bedroom, lounge, wet-room complete with Jacuzzi and a balcony with a view across the charming village. This room would, unfortunately, cost €45. We made what was probably the fastest decision we have made in 40 years of prevarication.

Cold Cava in a hot Jacuzzi turned a wet week on the Norte into a treasured memory. We just know we can never go back - like it says in the song.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Just a reminder that the Parador in Leon will close next month for two & half year renovation. All the heritage front will stay (inc Tom's room!), but all the ones out back will go. Start planning for a Spring 2020 Camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

Last year we had called for a reservation in Santo Domingo (for our anniversary). My husband was told there were no rooms available at which point he said "Please talk to my wife, I wear hearing aids and I can't understand you." I took the phone and the operator said "Did I understand that you were pilgrims? Of course we have rooms for Pilgrims and we have special pilgrim rates!" We had a lovely noon menu and overnight there the next day.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Last year we had called for a reservation in Santo Domingo (for our anniversary). My husband was told there were no rooms available at which point he said "Please talk to my wife, I wear hearing aids and I can't understand you." I took the phone and the operator said "Did I understand that you were pilgrims? Of course we have rooms for Pilgrims and we have special pilgrim rates!" We had a lovely noon menu and overnight there the next day.

I stayed in that Parador on my first Camino. I was so tired and sick I didn't ask about the rates. I got home to a more than $300 charge on my credit card for that lovely night. Yikes!

 

[Bogong]

The Beloved and I walked into reception in the Parador in Santillana del Mar. Muddy boots, sweaty pilgrim outfits, packs still on our backs. "we have two rooms available for Pilgrims" we were told. The first, for €40, was the usual square, comfortable, well equipped, bog-standard Parador room: the other had bedroom, lounge, wet-room complete with Jacuzzi and a balcony with a view across the charming village. This room would, unfortunately, cost €45. We made what was probably the fastest decision we have made in 40 years of prevarication.

Cold Cava in a hot Jacuzzi turned a wet week on the Norte into a treasured memory. We just know we can never go back - like it says in the song.

Ah, the memories, Tincatinker! Bill Bailey wouldn't go home! He ended up in Singapore during the war and liked it so much that he refused to go back to USA.

In 1975 we holidayed in Singapore. Still nice and seedy then, and as it was durian season the smells were, well, "exotic" to say the least.

Bill Bailey's nightclub on Orchard Road,, the Coconut Grove was closed but the building hadn't then been demolished. When he died they buried him in the cemetary on upper Serandoon road but this has long now disappeared as well. I hopevthere's some memento of him somewhere, but if you ask you're treated with polite but blank stares.

Singapore is now a fabulously modern city, apparently boasting the two most expensive buildings in the world. But I do shed an occasional sniffle of nostalgia for what I remember from the 1960's and '70's. No durian smells now either!

The beauty of the Camino is that despite roadworks, rerouting of paths etc much of its history is preserved.

Sorry for the rave.

De Colores

Bogong

 

[Kanga]

Just be careful of the supposed 15 or 18 euro pilgrim meal. Make sure there are no misunderstandings. One of my current Camino companions was offered this deal at the parador in León, when she booked in. But when she and her friend went to pay, the cost was 120 euros for the 2 of them. She said it was a fabulous meal, with great wine, but obviously not the "pilgrim menu"!

 

[Phil W]

What about the "Senior Pilgrim Rate" @Patch? BC SY

Yes, is there a "Senior Pilgrim Rate" ? If so, sign me up.
Phil

 

[zolarose]

I used them for a couple of nights this year but......the senior rate was better then the pilgrim rate

Good to know. I've stayed at the pilgrim rate before. WHat's the price difference for seniors instead?

 

[Jools]

All through this year the Paradors were trying to lure pilgrims into their lairs! Why were we not informed sooner?

http://www.parador.es/es/ofertas/no...m_campaign=1709_12_planes_gastro_otono_amigos

This isn't a new thing - they offer this all the time but you need to book a loooong way in advance to get it I managed to get it at the parador in Santiago - (still not cheap but a lot cheaper than the normal rate) but I booked about 6 months in advance. The pilgrims meals are always available

 

[Hollie Clevenger]

Can anyone give me some clarity here? I read the article about Leon's Parador closing for 2.5 years BUT I made reservations for late October there (about 1 month ago). I even emailed them recently to verify and they replied in the affirmative. Could it be they are closing small parts of the hotel only at a time??

 

[Firewood]

Can anyone give me some clarity here? I read the article about Leon's Parador closing for 2.5 years BUT I made reservations for late October there (about 1 month ago). I even emailed them recently to verify and they replied in the affirmative. Could it be they are closing small parts of the hotel only at a time??

Looks like they pushed back the closing date to December 15th, per their website: http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-leon
It lists the closing dates under the calendar. I'd wanted to stay there, but looks like I'll still miss it as our camino has been pushed back until the spring. Hope you enjoy it!