What to do?

[judy jackstadt]

Only twice all the way from St Jean to Finisterra was I unhappy with my albergue. One albergue was not very clean. I had a hard time obtaining toilet paper from the hospitalero and the showers were awful (mildew and flooded the whole bathroom.). Another, I knew the second I walked in. It had an odd smell and there were no other pilgrims there at 3 pm. When I got to my bunk, there was a creaky door but it would not close. The faucet to the sink came off in my hand and it dripped all night. Only one other pilgrim slept here that night. I had called ahead so I felt some sort of obligation to stay there. What should I have done? When I started to feel 'creepy' should I have asked for my money back and walked on? I hardly slept. I kept wondering how 'everyone else' knew not to stay there. It was crowded on the Camino Frances in May and no one else was there.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have walked out of an albergue only once in hundreds of visits. It is always an option, but I have a pretty high tolerance for accommodations. I did not ask for a refund. I think it was only 5E at the time. It is up to 11E now; I might want that much back!

There is no obligation to stay in a place you do not like. Since little is promised in many places, when it is a matter of whether unstated standards have been breached, it may be between you and the hospitalero, and boldness may prevail rather than justice!

 

[grayland]

A good idea is to ask if you can have a look...before you pay or register.
Easy to move on if you haven't paid.

If it is empty..maybe wait for others to show up and hang with them.