Hostal Linares

The room cost 40€ for a double with its own bathroom, and it was cold. They do offer rides to and from Hornillos for pilgrims, but only if you have dinner at the restaurant. We weren’t told that until later. The welcome and service were awful, and the guy was so rude. I left feeling disappointed and mistreated.

I was glad to get a bed for the night when all the albergues were full, but the whole stay felt upsetting. On the pickup from Hornillos, the man was pushy and stressed, as if we were a bother, and drove so fast and erratically that I was scared for my life. At the hotel he left us waiting. I asked where to go next and he said “Tranquilo,” so I thought there was no rush, but when he was ready he started hurrying us again. He then pressured us to have dinner. I said no, and he threatened not to drive us back. He kept my passport until we ate and paid, and I didn’t want to stay there any longer. The room was okay, but the heat didn’t work. We could hear everything in the next room and downstairs, and smoking was allowed in the room, so I woke up smelling cigarettes. The food was good. I’m vegetarian and ordered two first courses. I skipped breakfast so we could get walking as soon as possible. He drove us back in a van with too many people in it, but at least his driving was better than the night before. I’d avoid the place unless you don’t mind being ordered around.

It’s a truck stop and can fill up at night, though it was still quiet when we stayed. The staff don’t speak English, but that wasn’t a problem, and they were very polite and helpful. My wife Andi and I have stopped there twice on our way to Santander, and we’ll stop again on our next trip. Don’t be put off by it being a truck stop, that’s part of what shows how good it is.

The room was comfortable and I had a great sandwich. As a pilgrim, I found it okay, though I wouldn’t recommend it to other pilgrims. It also seemed too expensive for such a remote spot.