Albergue Santa Marina y Santiago

In 2015, it was the worst accommodation of the entire trip. It was a place where I had such bad experiences that if it hadn’t been very late and the next village hadn’t been far away, I would have gone on right away. Nor would it have interested me if the owner had not refunded the price of the accommodation collected in advance and the price of the "compulsory" (otherwise lousy, instant soup) dinner. The woman was not friendly or polite, and even commanded in an instructive style. All my belongings, including my backpack, were put by the woman in some crumpled, dirty garbage bag. Supposedly against bed bugs. The house was filled with descriptions and pictures of bed bugs. There was no lighting in the bedroom and the sockets were taped, no phone or camera could be charged. The bathroom had to use its own toilet paper. I haven't slept all night. I couldn't wait for dawn to come and escape! 🙁

Check-in is at 1 p.m. sharp, and the welcome is filled with prohibitions. In fact, there are reminders of these prohibitions written everywhere. The talk about bedbugs is omnipresent. Then comes the obligation to put your belongings in garbage bags (be careful not to get the wrong color bag!!). Then come the complaints about the electricity being too expensive, so the outlets are taped up, and if you want to charge your cell phone, you have to pay... Then the dinner omelet comes out of its supermarket plastic wrapper (a shame, because homemade Spanish tortilla is so good!). And... no breakfast. Honestly, I didn't feel comfortable in this "pilgrim's hostel."

When you read the "responsible donation" on the door (which is actually 15 euros or "depending on the amount"), and you also hear the locals talking about the hostel, you have little faith in the "pilgrims' hospital." When she opens the door (at 3 p.m., by the way), everything is confirmed and multiplied. The hostel owner is rude and impolite. Her rudeness toward pilgrims is only surpassed by the air of superiority she exudes when speaking. A cult-like atmosphere and unclear explanations. Pilgrims beware. PS: Just 20 meters away, you have a hostel with much better service, food, and atmosphere. Don't hesitate.

For several years now, I've been walking the Camino de Santiago and staying at this hostel. I'm welcomed there like a long-awaited friend. The hostess is warm and welcoming and always available for her pilgrims. The food is good and plentiful. I always enjoy staying there. Greetings from Heinz in the Wendland region.

The village of Rabe de las Calzadas warmly welcomes pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Many of them stop at the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Monastery on their way out, either to rest, listen to music in peace, receive the Miraculous Medal, pray, greet the Mother of God,...