Booking accommodation-experiences

[Caminobd]

Since my family, husband, myself and two grown daughters are walking in July, we have booked accommodation in most places. This has been an extremely interesting experience and I am wondering if other folks would like to share how they booked, if they booked, did they book by email, telephone. If you don't have Spanish, and you booked, how did you get around this. Did you have to pay a deposit? Do a bank transfer? Did you experience sending emails and having no response?
I am now interested in the creative ways in which pilgrims booked accommodation. Thanks.
Kelly from Vancouver,

[grayland]

I think the simple answer is usually we don't book in advance...except for the first night.
Some private albergues will take reservations and hotels, etc. can be booked.
BUT....most of us would only make a reservation on the same day. Many reasons for this but the overriding reason is that you are locking in where you have to be each night. There is no allowance for injury or just plain decision that you have walked far enough this day.
There really is no reason to do it as you should always find a place if you are not trying to stay in the albergues which sometimes fill up in July.
My advice is to take it slow and don't complicate things by trying to have it all organized.

[grayland]

You can almost always book the same day. Actually, you don't have to book at all in most towns along the way. Just turn up and ask for a room. March will not be a problem.
Where are you concerned about?
I have not found any hotel that I would consider unfriendly. They are not 5 Star (although there are some) so you will not have room service or valet service...but they are very happy to get your business.
Don't overlook staying in the albergues along the way as well as the little hotels.

[Leslie]

I would not consider booking ahead except for the first night. The Camino Hostels are fine, and it is a great way to do the Camino. Generally I would stay in a pension every 7 days or so just to get some privacy and a room to myself for the night - though during the last few days into Santiago I ended up with more stays in pensions.

[BoxOfFrogs]

Any good recommendations for places to stay in st jean, arriving early evening? I have had a quick google and see there are a fair few hotels there. I'd like to keep it to a reasonable cost as I'm hoping to treat my self to a decent hotel in Leon, burgos and Santiago as well along the way.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Box ~
I enjoyed Maison Bernat Bed and Breakfast in St Jean Pied de Port in the Basque country. , not because it's luxurious, but because the host is friendly, has a great golden labrador and a clean bed for the night, and is just across the street from the pilgrim office. It's a sort of "B&B" style place and not fancy, but is in a very old building with lots of character and is inside the walls of the old city of St Jean, where many of the "hotels" are in the more modern section of town.

Everyone has their own recommendations for hotels, but in your upcoming towns I enjoy:

• Burgos - Meson del Cid Hotel Burgos Meson del Cid Right across from the cathedral and right on the camino.
• Leon - Posada Regia - A few steps from the camino, inside the old city walls, full of character, and a couple of short blocks on a pedestrian-only street to the cathedral. It's fun to sit at a sidewalk cafe near this hotel and watch the river of pilgrims walk by.
• Santiago - Altair - Hotel Altair - Bienvenido - Hotel boutique en Santiago de Compostela I love this hotel because of its trendy/hip interior decor and the fine staff. It's just a couple of blocks from the cathedral along a quiet street. Across from the Altair is the Costa Vella HOTEL COSTA VELLA. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (A Coruña) which is cheaper and less trendy, but very comfortable and with great views.

Buen camino!