Refuge Orisson

Ahhh, what a refuge! We arrived and immediately fell in love with the amazing view. We were shown to the dorm and enjoyed a convivial afternoon over cider, local ham and wine. Facilities are all that a pilgrim needs - clean and with the luxury of piping hot water. The coffee is the cheapest on the Camino at just 1 Euro for an espresso, which is amazing. Dinner was tasty - soup then chicken. The after dinner liqueur was rich. There was one thing I didn't like and that was the behaviour of some pilgrims (they REALLY need the help of the Camino in their lives). The hard-working staff here must sometimes despair as it was miserable to witness the rudeness and self-entitlement of a few pilgrims. Everyday with that type of person must be seriously challenging. Breakfast is tasty and it is a cultural delight to enjoy coffee in bowls. I recommend getting the sandwich for a picnic later on - we ate ours at the cattle grid on the border.

Orisson was a weird experience. Location is sublime, as everyone needs a break after the big climb and the views are gorgeous. But the staff seem to be tired of some pilgrims' behaviour and letting that affect their treatment of all. The result: instructions were screamed at people who put bags on chairs, and pilgrims who couldn't get a bed and needed to taxi back to SJPdP were sent outside to wait in the pouring rain after they bought and consumed their lunch. On the plus side, as the only vegetarian here the other day I got an amazing vegetarian dinner! Very grateful for this. I hope some joy and trust will find its way back here.

Staff are unkind to guests who are walking a very difficult part of the Camino, in the middle of nowhere. They know there are no other options around, so they do not seem to have any desire to treat pilgrims better. I would not recommend this place at all.

A refuge for pilgrims. You walk for hours and hours, up and down mountains, and just when you feel like you’ll never find a place of refuge en route to the next town, this beautiful spot pops up. They have a well that provides pilgrims with drinking water from the mountain. They provide lovely sandwiches and refreshments. Their Basque cake is the nicest thing I have ever eaten. The people run the establishment with integrity and modesty. I am surprised to see any negative reviews; when you are struggling on the mountain passage and all you need is water, some food, and a bathroom, this place saves you. And also, as an Irish person, I was pleased to see the Basque flag flying proudly outside. Eskerrik asko - Go raibh míle maith agaibh! I hope to return someday.

I'm surprised to see such glowing reviews of refuge orisson as my experience was not welcoming unfortunately. I stopped here while hiking the camino as most do. When I went to use the toilet, I noticed there was no toilet roll. I thought surely this must be a mistake. I went to the counter to ask and was told there was none. I then asked for a napkin and this was refused also! At this point, my three companions and me had all ordered drinks etc. So we were paying customers. There aren't exactly toilets everywhere on this hike so withholding toilet roll felt very unkind. What was the reason? Surely not cost?