La Laguna El Burgo de Ranero July 25 2016

[Green eyed river]

Just a warning to anyone staying in El Burgo Ranero at Albergue La Laguna, BED BUGS. We found them in the corner of a mattress, as well as some feces. The hospitalero simply sprayed some chemical on one corner and did nothing else. Two of our members have various bites. Please do not stay here!

 

[Mark Lee]

Just a warning to anyone staying in El Burgo Ranero at Albergue La Laguna, BED BUGS. We found them in the corner of a mattress, as well as some feces. The hospitalero simply sprayed some chemical on one corner and did nothing else. Two of our members have various bites. Please do not stay here!

I stayed there on my last Camino. I think I remember it. Rustic place? Has an upstairs? Older, cloth covered mattresses and older beds? Long wooden dinner table and they cook dinner for everybody?

 

[QuailHiker]

Stayed there in May. No problem with bed bugs, but it was in probably the worst condition of any albergue I stayed in. The rooms and beds were OK, but the toilets and showers were pretty messy and they totally ran out of TP in the morning. I'd try and stay elsewhere if possible.

 

[Volker_]

Yes, stayed there last September and had my first bites - and the exquisite feeling of a bed bug crawling over my face at 1 in the night. I just waited for the "hospitalero" to return in the morning - and out I went.
The albuerge is the only one I stayed at where there's a sign in Spanish (only!) about "bites" and "insects" and to talk about this in the morning with the hospitalero. But: the guy just opened the doors around 6 and off he went...

cu
Volker

 

[Mark Lee]

Yes, stayed there last September and had my first bites - and the exquisite feeling of a bed bug crawling over my face at 1 in the night. I just waited for the "hospitalero" to return in the morning - and out I went.
The albuerge is the only one I stayed at where there's a sign in Spanish (only!) about "bites" and "insects" and to talk about this in the morning with the hospitalero. But: the guy just opened the doors around 6 and off he went...

cu
Volker

Yes, I had some hesitation when I stayed there last year. The older cloth covered type mattresses and old bed frames put me off. I was with some other pilgrims I befriended who wanted to stay there and I thought what the heck. Fortunately I had no bed bug encounters there, and neither did any of the other pilgrims, but the beds and mattresses were exactly the type I preach on here to avoid (if possible).
Only stay in albergues with the rubber or vinyl encased mattresses and pillows. The kind used in hospitals and such. I believe it makes a big difference.

 

[domigee]

Stayed there twice in the past and had no problems but thanks for the tip, will avoid it this time (or at least be extra careful when checking ).

 

[Volker_]

but the beds and mattresses were exactly the type I preach on here to avoid (if possible).

My problem on that day was: El Burgo Ranero was "completo" and knowing that many people were on that part of the Camino I did book in advance with the La Laguna guy - a thing I did only three times on my Camino (when I felt it was necessary). So, leaving after seeing the beds would've meant looking for a hostal or moving on. I dediced not to leave - and got the bites...

One more thing: I don't generally talk about the albergues where I encountered bed bugs because things could have changed. But in this case I've got the feeling that nothing much will change as far as I can tell from being there and seeing the guy who runs it.

cu
Volker

 

[AJ]

Yes, I had some hesitation when I stayed there last year. The older cloth covered type mattresses and old bed frames...

But the beds and mattresses were exactly the type I preach on here to avoid (if possible).
.

Preach?

Changed your tune?

 

[Mark Lee]

Preach?

Changed your tune?

Ha ha....no, still on my pulpit (soapbox?). I still think the way to go albergue wise, is to stay in ones with the bedding more suited to being used by multiple people every year. That being the rubber or vinyl coated variety. Institutional, if you will. That's not saying that while walking the CF you won't find yourself in a situation where you end up sleeping on an old, ratty cloth covered mattress in a not so clean albergue. I stayed and slept on a few of those in three CF's. I just do not recommend it. I was lucky. No fleas. No bedbugs.

 

[AJ]

Not so long ago you were in denial about bedbugs: what has changed your mind?

 

[Tincatinker]

@AJ, @Mark Lee - take it to PM if you want to play....

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