Albergue Roma

The lockers were useful and the bed was fairly comfortable, but the cleanliness really let the place down. The kitchen was awful: the bin was overflowing, the sink was full of dirty utensils, the table was wet and stained, the half-full fridge was filthy, and dirty cloths were lying around. The bedroom floor was dirty too, I wasn’t sure the sheets had been changed, there was no bathroom soap, and there were odd smells. There’s room for bikes, and the man who showed me around was friendly enough. Check-in meant calling a number so someone would come over. That worked for me, though it might be difficult for some people. I booked partly because of the good rating and expected something decent. In short, this was an overpriced, unhygienic, badly run hostel.

There’s a laundromat right next door, and the staff are friendly. I also appreciated the elevator, refrigerator, microwave, and air fryer. Two bars are nearby, with more restaurants and markets about a 10-minute walk away. The bathroom setup was the hard part. There’s only one shower and one toilet for around 12 people, and some beds are right by the bathroom door. The toilet stall is minuscule, much smaller than some people described, and awkward to use. There are no hooks, bench, or other place to set your things while showering, so the only option is hanging them over the toilet door, which feels unsanitary. Since this isn’t an albergue just for pilgrims, people may check in late at night, making it harder for pilgrims to rest. If you’re walking the Camino Salvador, I’d choose the municipal albergue instead.

I’m disappointed with how they handled cancelling my booking. I sent several emails and got no reply. When I didn’t arrive, they promptly confirmed with booking.com so they could get their money. That stings even more because many Camino de Salvador pilgrims stay at this albergue. In reply to the albergue: you aren’t sorry. You knew you hadn’t answered my emails, but you were quick to pursue the money. I chose the non-refundable option because there wasn’t another one available. My circumstances changed, and I can’t do Camino Salvador this year. I would have expected at least a little empathy.

Friendly, clean, and fairly priced. Maybe I’ll get the chance to come back one day with my bike and explore the lovely area.