Alda Palas de Rei

I’ve just looked at the lovely pictures of this property. It’s not quite what I recognise from my visit in April 2024. Reception was very difficult to find - it was underground in what I described as a bunker! Something catastrophic has happened to the building above ground - it’s now a concrete plinth. The dining area was in the ‘bunker’ - wine was available but beer came from a fridge . . . Beverages were limited. Food was poor and served by staff who were rushed off their feet! The accommodation in the wooden buildings was fine - no issues! I think travellers need to know that things aren’t what they used to be!

You can’t find this on Trip Advisor—the company is ‘hiding’ the new property that you book in under the old name. It is now called Hotel Alda Palas de Reis. There are NO services at this Hotel. I mean you cannot even buy water. (And none is given to you). You are out of town, and on Sunday nothing is open. There is NO delivery of food. The breakfast is sparse—in a tent. There is no construction happening for improvements. You might get hot water for a shower—or you might not. Please be informed if you travel company schedules you here as we were.

I felt like I was staying in a Swiss-chalet in Northern Spain. Multiple rooms externally clad in wood, internally clad in wood - wood everywhere. Room was basic, however it was spacious, clean, functional & quiet. No dinner at La Cabana, you had to walk to the village 1 km away which is not ideal when you have had a hard day walking the Camino. Breakfast was fine and this was the only hotel on the camino that had made a note that I preferred a gluten free option.

The receptionist area is located in what looks like a shed. The dining area is under a big tent. The rooms, however, are very pretty, with beautiful wood walls and floors and a tile bathroom. They look new. Each cabin has several hotel rooms. It’s all very pretty. There was no AC however with the window open, the room temp was great. The bathroom is an okay size with counter space around the sink and a shower with shower doors. The room also has a TV. The room was a bit small, but good enough. The nice thing is that it is outside the town so you feel like you are camping. Also, if you are walking the Camino, it is the first thing you see and that’s nice when you want to rest. The disadvantage is that it’s approx. a 10 min walk to town - but a pretty walk on a path with trees and fields on both sides. In fact, if you are staying elsewhere, it is worth walking to this hotel, since the path is quite pretty.

Good location outside of Palais de rei Room was clean though walls thin so could hear people next door Obviously had a fire So breakfast was in a tent but staff friendly and doing their best in circumstances They have a sister restaurant in town which serves good food