021: What to Really Expect from Accommodations on the Camino de Santiago
Practical Wisdom for a Good Night’s Sleep
Hello Camino friends! Here’s what’s in this issue:
🛏“What to Really Expect from Accommodations on the Camino de Santiago”
📸Scenes from the Camino: The Camino Portugués
🎥Camino Conversations: THIS Wednesday, July 9, 11-11:45: Camino Conversations with Tim Wesolowski — Join us!
🥾How to get help planning your Camino.
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“What’s the Camino?”
❓Not even sure what the Camino de Santiago is? Start here.
🤔Heard of the Camino but not sure if it’s for you? Read this.
Let’s get started!
🛏What to Really Expect from Accommodations on the Camino de Santiago
I often laugh reading reviews of accommodations here in Spain.
“You could hear everything from the room next door.”
Welcome to Spain, I think, as I skip that review.
“The locals were out at the restaurant in the street below our window until midnight!”
Only midnight? Aren’t you lucky, I think.
“There was no air conditioning/hair dryer/wash cloth.”
Welcome to Spain. My parents, when they come to visit, bring their own washcloths.
And so it is that I’ve decided to write you a little reminder: Spain is, in fact, a foreign country and we do things a little differently here.
When I’m helping clients plan their walk on the Camino de Santiago, I tell them there will not be a Hilton in every town along the way. There are accommodations that offer private rooms and private bathrooms, but that’s only the beginning.
So before you pack too many expectations, here are a few things you should know about accommodations in Spain:
1. Don’t Assume Anything
Don’t assume that every place has air conditioning. Nor heating, for that matter. They may have heat, but they don’t turn it on until Nov. 1, no matter how cold it is.
Need air conditioning? Make absolutely sure your accommodation has it and then ask
When do they start using it?
Is it central A/C or do you have any control over it?
2. Soundproofing: Or, The Lack Thereof
It is perfectly normal in this country to hear the people next door—their conversations, their television, their coughing, and who knows what else. Old buildings are not well insulated. And newer buildings? Not so much, either. And those lovely wooden stair cases? Nice to see when you arrive, not so nice to hear when you’re trying to sleep.
If you’re a sensitive sleeper, bring earplugs.
3. Floors, Stairs, and Tiny Elevators
If your room is on the “first floor” that’s one level above the entry floor. You will have to take stairs to get there or, if you’re lucky, an elevator. The elevator may hardly fit two people and their luggage. Bring your patience.
4. The Front Desk Is Not 24/7
The front desk often will not be a 24-hour affair. Pay attention to check-in and check-out times—and don’t expect a late check out option.
5. Breakfast
Breakfast isn’t bacon and eggs. For the Spaniards, it’s usually just a cup of coffee. In your hotel, however, you may also find bread, marmalade, butter, maybe some slices of ham and/or cheese. If you’re lucky, some yogurt and muesli.
Don’t assume breakfast will be served when you want it—many Camino pilgrims like to start their walk by 7:30 or 8am, but hotels sometimes don’t serve breakfast until 8:30 or 9.
6. The Little Extras (Or Lack Thereof)
Mini-fridge? Tea kettle? Coffee machine? In a big city hotel, perhaps. In the smaller towns, unlikely.
An accommodation may say they have wi-fi, but that doesn’t mean it’s strong in every corner of every room—thick stone walls may be great for ambiance, but not so great for signal strength.
7. Room With a View (And a Side of Noise)
If you open your curtains to see a lovely view of a town square, my first thought is: I hope you have earplugs.
If there are restaurants or bars, you may hear the conversations below until the wee hours of the morning. Even if your windows are closed.
On the other hand, if you’re facing an interior courtyard, you may think, “Too bad we don’t have a view.” Having lived here for four years now, I think, “Oh, good. I’ll sleep well tonight.”
8. Beds and Keys: Little Quirks
On many hotel listings you’ll see a choice of two twin beds or a “double.” A double is just those two twins pushed together and made up as one bed—equating to a king size. I never feel the spot where they meet—it’s like magic.
Maybe you’re in one of those updated places where you have a plastic keycard to enter your room. But when you get in, you can’t get the lights to work. That’s normal. Check by the door—there’s a spot to insert your key. Once you do that, the electricity in the room will work.
Speaking of keys. . . I was once on Camino with my parents. My father and I left to start our walk, leaving my mother to enjoy her beauty rest and take a cab to the next town. Around 10am, I got a call. “I’m standing outside our place but if I lock the door, I can’t get the key out of the lock,” my mother explained. “After it locks, turn the key horizontally. Then it should come right out.” Have you ever seen a lock in the US where the key enters or is removed only when it’s horizontal?
9. My Best Advice
I’m sure there are a million other little things about accommodations here in Spain that I could tell you. But just know this: be flexible. Do not expect 5-stars every night. Be curious—not judgmental. Ask for help. And be grateful you’re not on the Appalachian trail sleeping in a tent.
With love,
Rebecca
P.s. If you’ve stayed in Spain and have anything to add, please share in the comments below!
📸Scenes from the Camino: Tim’s Camino Portugués
When I asked my upcoming Camino Conversations guest Tim Wesolowski to share some photos from his Camino, I forgot to ask for captions. So I’m going to interpret them myself and when we talk live on Wednesday, he can elaborate as to why he chose these:)
(For details about joining this live conversation, see below. It will also be recorded and shared in the future.)
🎥Camino Conversations—Live!
This Wednesday, July 9 from 11-11:45 am is my first live conversation here on Substack. Tim Wesolowski, at 67, just finished his walk on the Camino Portugués in April. He’ll share his experiences and advice and answer any questions you may have.
(If you’re reading this after that date, here’s the link to watch the recording.)
How to join Camino Conversations Live:
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Via Substack.com
Log in and in the upper right corner, click on your picture or image, then choose “Activity.” In the list that comes up, anytime between 11 and 11:45 am EST, you should see the option to join us.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Camino Conversations Schedule:
Wednesday, July 9, 11-11:45 EST: Tim Wesolowski — In April, at 67, Tim completed the Camino Portugués from Tui, Spain.
Wednesday, July 16, 11-11:45 EST: Lois B. — At 73, Lois walked over 500 miles from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela and then to Finisterre.
Wednesday, July 30, 11-11:45 EST: Maria Seco teaches pilgrims the Spanish they need to make the most of their time on the Camino de Santiago.
Wednesday, August 13, 11-11:45 EST: Hana Maris — Last August, at age 65, Hana walked the Camino Primitivo.
📖What I’m Up To:
I just returned from a fun week volunteering in the Camino in the Pilgrim Office in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port France with my father. So now it’s time to get on the Camino myself!
This month, I’ll do a scouting trip on the Camino Inglés. It’s a six-day Camino and I’ll be leading a small group on this route in October.
If you’re interested in joining us, comment below (or, if you’re reading this in your email inbox, just hit “reply” and tell me).
🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?
Rebecca Weston is an American who walked her first Camino in 2012.
She helps people 45 and over plan their own walks on the Camino de Santiago through her business The Camino Calls.
She and her husband live in Spain in a town of 6500 people on the Camino del Norte. She’s walked more than a dozen Caminos, spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if she’s not walking one now, she’s planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too.
I could not stop laughing at your description of "What to expect from an accomodation." When I travel to New York City, I want a private room. When I did the Caminos (three different ones, in my case), I want a hostel and people around me.
One hint which I think is a "Danny" original. When I was offered a small room, let's say one with four beds, I declined. I wanted to sleep in the main room with lots of people. Why?
With four people, if one person doesn't know how to behave, it is difficult to turn them around, especially if he/she has a partner.
In a 20-person room, if someone is inconsiderate, you will have many people complaining and setting this inconsiderate person straight.
Keep writing, Rebecca.
About air conditioning, SJPP Pilgrim office :,a practical exemple for American Pelgrim 🤣