Will we be able to find private rooms between Leon and Santiago.

[Dutchwalk53]

I'm planning on walking from Leon( or Astorga) to Santiago with my son. I would prefer simple private rooms in Hostals/private homes/simple hotels. I don't even care about a private bathroom but just am a VERY poor sleeper and just like private rooms. Will we be able to find those in June or do we need to do an organized self guided walk ? (which we rather don't). We want to walk at our pace and just stop when we feel like stopping....But the fear of not finding lodging is a concern. Any advice is welcome

 

[grayland]

You will have no problem finding private accommodation. The time of year will make a bit of difference depending on the numbers on the Camino at the same time as you.
A good idea would be to get the latest Brierley guide and take an unlocked phone. The Brierley guide lists pensiones, hotels, etc. in most of the villages and towns along the way. If it is crowded you can call ahead (the same day) and insure that you have a bed.
You should stay in an albergues at least once for the experience and to be able to understand what the others are talking about.

You Do Not need an organized group.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

do we need to do an organized self guided walk ? (which we rather don't). We want to walk at our pace and just stop when we feel like stopping

Those are incompatible goals. Once your agent has booked your room, your schedule is set. Your luggage will be at the next accommodation, and you will have to get to it regardless of your state of mind or body.

You will find rooms; call ahead the day before.

 

[Dutch]

You really really REALLY dont need an organized walk. Plenty of accomodation and you will always find a room. Like falcom said, call ahead if you want to be sure, but even without callimg ahead you will always fimd something.

Don't forget, there is nothing wrong with asking to see the room before you say Yes to it. This is very normal and always honored.

 

[Phillypilgrim]

I don't know about June, but in September many Pilgrims were also looking for private rooms. So as already stated, have a phone that allows you to call ahead to book and also to research what accommodations are out there. Booking.com app works well too.

 

[Bajaracer]

I don't think you'll have problems finding private rooms as long as you're willing to pay extra. Pilgrims can be notoriously frugal and moan and complain at paying for the private albergues (usually €2-4 more) when the municipal albergues are "completo."

 

[waveprof]

Yes

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Why deprive all the snorers along the Camino the option of keeping you awake all night? Sounds very un-pilgrim like of you.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Why deprive all the snorers along the Camino the option of keeping you awake all night? Sounds very un-pilgrim like of you.

And I am 100% OK with depriving all snorers even if that is "un-pilgrim!" (I'm actually one of the snorers myself )

 

[tyrrek]

Good advice above. I've never really had a problem finding private rooms, but was walking a bit earlier (April or May). Cheap private rooms are generally pretty good, clean and en suite. Some may be a bit old fashioned, but hey. If private rooms are arranged through a bar, you may be led to a nearby flat or annexe (Triacastela and Palais de Rei spring to mind).

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Enjoy your Camino however but I think you are missing a very enjoyable part of the expierence.

 

[Olivares]

You will have no problems finding private rooms along that section. What would be helpful for you is a good route map detailing the towns and distances between them. I used the Michelin No. 160 Camino de Santiago. It is tiny (6.5 €) but loaded with detailed information, i.e Albergues and services in every single hamlet, town, and village along the Camino. I talked to many people who were using Booking.com to arrange for the next day lodging. Many, many private albergues on Booking.com. The service is free because it is the owner of the establishment who pays Booking to get their place advertised at their site. Another source of lodging info along the Camino is the brochure from Jacotrans which lists dozens of private lodgings from where they pick-up/drop-off. Even if you don't use their services, the info still relevant. A great source are local Offiuces of Tourism; they know of the private rooms at "Mama & Papa" which enhances the experience tenfold, if you ask me... Much like you, private bathroom was not a must for me. Sadly, often pilgrims leaving at dawn will take all the toilet paper with them and any supplies provided by the house. Some were the same ones who looked down on those staying at the private rooms-- obviously, because their behavior was so exemplary...

I did not use a guided service, always found a private room. To be honest, the Camino has got to be the best marked, well documented long distance trail in the world to do on your own.

 

[Kiwi-d]

I'm planning on walking from Leon( or Astorga) to Santiago with my son. I would prefer simple private rooms in Hostals/private homes/simple hotels. I don't even care about a private bathroom but just am a VERY poor sleeper and just like private rooms. Will we be able to find those in June or do we need to do an organized self guided walk ? (which we rather don't). We want to walk at our pace and just stop when we feel like stopping....But the fear of not finding lodging is a concern. Any advice is welcome

Another booking site not mentioned is onlypilgrims.com.

I was not able to use it as there was a problem with my credit card, but I know another peregrino was very happy with the service.

 

[marbuck]

We stayed in private rooms all the way from Roncesvalles to Santiago, some in Albergue's but mostly in Hostels and Casa Rural. We like a good nights sleep also. At the start we did not book ahead but when the Camino got busy later on we had to book at least one night in advance. We had a phone with us so used a mixture of booking ourselves using Brieleys Guide, Booking.com and sometimes the landlord booked for us. The Spanish people are really helpful and most of them really go out of their way to help pilgrims. Even though we stayed in private accommodation we still had a wonderful Camino and meet lots of other pilgrims. If you can afford it, do it.

 

[madame_shepard]

W had no problem finding private rooms between Astorga and Santiago in June. We usually booked a day or two ahead. The French guide, miam miam dodo has more listings for private rooms than brierly.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Thanks for all your great suggestions !