Whilst there are a lot of positives for staying in a hotel, AirBnB or a bed and breakfast whilst on your Camino, there are some dis-benefits that you should keep in mind too.
❌Can be isolating - whilst there are a number of other pilgrims in hotels and also of the same mindset, once you get to the hotel everyone does tend to separate. One thing you tend to miss out on is the communal meals often held in Albergues and therefore the Camino spirit doesn't feel exactly the same once you enter the hotel. Making plans to catch up with Pilgrims at restaurants or bars in the evening can alleviate this.
❌Can lack facilities - Albergues are well equipped for pilgrims, with facilities you often won’t get in a hotel. This includes laundry facilities, tea and coffee making and kitchen facilities so you can cook your own meals. Whilst many hotels provide laundry services these can be costly, so you may want to consider an albergue based upon these services alone.
❌Cost - this is an obvious one, but your Camino can be significantly more expensive than staying in an albergue which often runs by donation or donativo.
These are just a few things to consider as to why a hotel may not be for you.
Personally, I do wish that I had of stayed a few nights in an Albergue style accommodation with the classic big dinner banquet. Whilst there were a couple of these options across the maestà in particular, the meals were still very individual. Perhaps I had an expectation there would be many more communal meals with other pilgrims after watching The Way and other YouTube videos in advance of the trip.
At the end of the day, remember its your Camino. These are just a few things to consider when making your bookings.
Buen Camino xx
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