Best Way to Make Reservation for Three at Roncesvalles

[Kasee]

I’m taking two friends on their first Frances in September. We are “older” ladies and would prefer not to have top bunks. Ideally, I’d like to reserve three of the pods, but I know that you can’t specify the bed you’re reserving. Are my odds at getting pods better if I make three individual reservations for us? I’m pretty sure that if I make one reservation for three people, we will end up in the area with double bunk beds.

Any advice?

 

[trecile]

I've stayed there twice solo. Once with a reservation and once as a walk in. Both times I was in a bunk bed. I'm not sure what "pods" you are talking about - are they the ones on the top floor pictured here?



I guess that you can send them an email at info@alberguederoncesvalles.com with your questions. Or perhaps @Ianinam will answer on this thread.

 

[Kasee]

I've stayed there twice solo. Once with a reservation and once as a walk in. Both times I was in a bunk bed. I'm not sure what "pods" you are talking about - are they the ones on the top floor pictured here?

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I guess that you can send them an email at info@alberguederoncesvalles.com with your questions. Or perhaps @Ianinam will answer on this thread.

Yes, those are what I’m calling “pods.” If there isn’t any consensus about what to do, I’ll email them. Thanks for the response.

 

[Ianinam]

Reservations are always assigned in a first-come, first-served basis, starting on the first floor: 72 bunk-beds, then second floor: 72 bunk-beds, and then third floor: 39 beds, no bunks (as shown on the photograph of Trecile). If you have any physical problems you can mention this handicap, and you will get a lower bed. But I do not think the Spanish employee who prepares the reservations every day will grant a request for three lower beds, unless you three are all older than 75 ...
I'd suggest you take two bedrooms in Hotel Roncesvalles or Hotel La Posada, or a cheaper 4 beds room in Hotel La Posada. There are rooms with 2 bunkbeds, so in that case only one of you sleeps in the top-bed.

 

[ClareMcG]

How far ahead can you book for Roncevalles? I contacted them a couple of weeks ago but have not heard anything back. I'm planning to start the CF late April 2025 from SJDP

 

[Kasee]

Reservations are always assigned in a first-come, first-served basis, starting on the first floor: 72 bunk-beds, then second floor: 72 bunk-beds, and then third floor: 39 beds, no bunks (as shown on the photograph of Trecile). If you have any physical problems you can mention this handicap, and you will get a lower bed. But I do not think the Spanish employee who prepares the reservations every day will grant a request for three lower beds, unless you three are all older than 75 ...
I'd suggest you take two bedrooms in Hotel Roncesvalles or Hotel La Posada, or a cheaper 4 beds room in Hotel La Posada. There are rooms with 2 bunkbeds, so in that case only one of you sleeps in the top-bed.

Thanks for this information. Since it’s their first Camino, I do want them to stay in the Albergue since it’s so iconic and amazingly efficient. I’ll make one reservation for three of us and we will draw straws for the top bunk or bunks. We are not yet 75, so I won’t bother the staff with a request.

 

[Ianinam]

That's a good decision @Kasee! The beds are comfortabele, you will get three beds in a quarter of four, and the beds all have good, sturdy steps to the upper beds.

 

[Ianinam]

How far ahead can you book for Roncevalles? I contacted them a couple of weeks ago but have not heard anything back. I'm planning to start the CF late April 2025 from SJDP

It is already possible to book a bed for the whole year 2025 at www.alberguederoncesvalles.com

 

[60LifeChange]

Just made my reservations for early May 25

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Thanks for this information. Since it’s their first Camino, I do want them to stay in the Albergue since it’s so iconic and amazingly efficient. I’ll make one reservation for three of us and we will draw straws for the top bunk or bunks. We are not yet 75, so I won’t bother the staff with a request.

When I was in there in April I asked them for a lower bunk at the desk. Since they were completely sold out that night they said because I had made a reservation several months in advance they had already assigned me one of the top floor single beds!

Dont be shy. There’s no harm in asking when you make the booking. I think there is a place for a note. They may be sold out on September nights and be assigning them anyway.

 

[Ianinam]

Reservated beds are always assigned in advance; in busy times 183 reservated beds with reservated meals and nowadays even reservated tickets for luggage transport need some preparation every day. If you are a walk-in pilgrim you can ask for a lower bunk, if necessary and if there are enough beds left. When I am in the check-in desk and an old, fragile pilgrim, or apparantly in problems I will automaticly assign a bottom bunk without even asking me.

On the other hand: half of the beds on the first and second floor are upper beds. In busy times we definitely need all the beds, so if people who are able to climb up (and yes, I am 76 years old and I still can get up on an upper bed while cleaning the beds) refuse the upper beds, there definitely is a problem ...

 

[JodieR]

How far ahead can you book for Roncevalles? I contacted them a couple of weeks ago but have not heard anything back. I'm planning to start the CF late April 2025 from SJDP

I have booked already for next April.

 

[Lucy3095]

How far ahead can you book for Roncevalles? I contacted them a couple of weeks ago but have not heard anything back. I'm planning to start the CF late April 2025 from SJDP

Hello I booked April 2025 in September this year and have received confirmation and my payment came out of my bank account.

 

[HappyValerie]

My mind is now in Roncevalles, and I've just walked an early morning 12km power walk before the predicted 36° heat of today here at home.
My 3rd Camino is happening next year. I'm visiting previously met peregrines for a few weeks throughout Germany first.
I thinking I'm aiming to start walking from SJPP on or around 13th March 2025.

QUESTION: Should I book for Roncevalles? Or will there be plenty of accommodation at that time of year? I just don't know my exact date yet, & I'd like to be flexible according to the weather.
First time was mid Dec 2017, I booked, I think, & was in a top pod. 24th March 2022 I booked. There were only about 17 of us there. Everywhere was just emerging from COVID so pretty quiet. No bed races. Thanks for your input

 

[AllisonMarie]

How far ahead can you book for Roncevalles? I contacted them a couple of weeks ago but have not heard anything back. I'm planning to start the CF late April 2025 from SJDP

When I reserved there I never did hear back. Made me nervous, but I was in the list when I arrived.

 

[trecile]

I thinking I'm aiming to start walking from SJPP on or around 13th March 2025.

QUESTION: Should I book for Roncevalles? Or will there be plenty of accommodation at that time of year?

I don't think that it's necessary for March, but @Ianinam volunteers there and would know better.
My first Camino in 2016 I didn't have a reservation, and had no problem getting a bed during the last week of August.

This year there was an average of about 75 pilgrims per day starting from SJPdP each day according to the Pilgrim Office there. Pilgrims numbers don't ramp up until April when the Napoleon route opens up, and the weather is a little better.

 

[Ianinam]

@HappyValerie: no, in that period we have approx. 40-50 pilgrims a day. No need to make reservations. Keep in mind that the Route Napoleon is closed until April 1st, so you walk the Valcarlosroute.

 

[HappyValerie]

@HappyValerie: no, in that period we have approx. 40-50 pilgrims a day. No need to make reservations. Keep in mind that the Route Napoleon is closed until April 1st, so you walk the Valcarlosroute.

Thank you, Ianinam. I have vivid memories of the best cup of tea I've EVER had been handed to me with a biscuits as I entered the doorway in out of the blustery cold wind. I felt SOOOO welcome!

 

[bestfootforward]

How far ahead can you book for Roncevalles? I contacted them a couple of weeks ago but have not heard anything back. I'm planning to start the CF late April 2025 from SJDP

Hi Clare, did you email or use their online booking portal? I booked today for next May via their portal and confirmation was immediate. If you emailed, maybe try the portal route and see how you go.

 

[camino07]

Thanks for this information. Since it’s their first Camino, I do want them to stay in the Albergue since it’s so iconic and amazingly efficient. I’ll make one reservation for three of us and we will draw straws for the top bunk or bunks. We are not yet 75, so I won’t bother the staff with a request.

When I reserved for this October. I put in the comment section . Bottom bunk please and got one.

 

[Anthony Coyne]

Thanks for original post and replies. I'm so glad I saw this post!!!
I've just made first booking for 3 'pilgrims' (myself included) for May 2025!
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast for €35pp...