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Summary of reviewsGite de la Porte Saint Jacques stands out as an exceptional hostel for pilgrims, primarily due to its excellent location, welcoming atmosphere and high standards of comfort and cleanliness. Situated in the heart of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port’s old town, this picturesque 17th-century property offers an ideal starting point for those embarking on the Camino Francés. Guests are charmed by its beautiful surroundings, including scenic mountain views and proximity to the Pilgrim Office, restaurants and shops.
The hostel features cozy, charming interiors adorned with small works of art and sculptures, which contribute to its unique atmosphere. Both private and shared accommodations are spacious, clean and tastefully decorated, complete with comfortable single beds, well-ventilated dormitories and modern amenities in the bathrooms and shower rooms. The cleanliness of the establishment is frequently praised with guests highlighting the immaculate state of the rooms and common areas.
An essential part of the hostel experience is the exceptional service provided by the warm and friendly staff. Guests consistently commend the attentiveness, kindness and helpfulness of the staff, including specific mentions of individuals like Ax, Karen and Andrew. The personal touch and genuine care of the hosts create a congenial and spiritual vibe that enhances the start of the pilgrimage.
Meals at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques receive high accolades, especially the communal dinners, which are known for their delicious, home-cooked vegetarian dishes. These meals offer ample portions and a sense of community, making them a memorable part of the stay. Breakfasts are equally well-received, featuring homemade elements like apple cakes and fresh coffee, fostering a communal and nutritious start to the day. Although dinners come at an extra cost, the quality and enjoyment they bring make them worth it.
The hostel's beds are particularly noteworthy with thoughtful features such as individual power points, shelves and lamps for each bed. The use of curtains around beds ensures privacy and comfort, creating a serene sleeping environment. Guests appreciate the absence of bunk beds, further contributing to a restful and private experience.
In summary, Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques offers a blend of historical charm and modern comforts, making it an ideal and delightful choice for pilgrims. The combination of an excellent location, exceptional staff, clean and comfortable accommodations and a welcoming communal atmosphere ensures a memorable and pleasant start to the Camino journey. Show more
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Categories
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hostel with Free Wi-Fi
Hostel for Adults Only
Small Hostel
Room Types
Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has a mountain view.
Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 30 square metres.
Guest Reviews
9.3
Excellent
Location
Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques stands out as an ideal starting point for pilgrims embarking on the Camino. This picturesque 17th-century hostel enjoys a superb location in the heart of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port’s old town, right at the entry gate and moments away from the Pilgrim Office. The central positioning provides easy access to restaurants, shops and the official starting point of the Camino Francés, all within a short walking distance.
Guests have praised the hostel for its beautiful property, scenic mountain views and comfortable, clean accommodations. The welcoming and friendly staff play a significant role in making stays memorable, offering both a personal touch and professional hospitality. The charming decor, cozy interiors and unique atmosphere contribute to a great pre-Camino experience. Additionally, the accessibility and surrounding environment, including the proximity to important local resources, make it a convenient and delightful choice for travelers.
The combination of excellent location, exceptional service and a blend of historical charm with modern comforts makes Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques a fantastic launchpad for the journey ahead.
Breakfast
Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques hostel provides a breakfast experience that seems to resonate well with its guests. The majority of reviews highlight the breakfast as being delicious with many appreciating the homemade elements such as apple cake, bread and cakes. Fresh coffee is a noted plus, adding to the morning ease. There's consistently positive feedback regarding the quality and variety offered, making it a satisfying, filling and even nutritious start to the day.
Many guests particularly enjoy the communal aspect of breakfast, allowing for a sense of shared experience among pilgrims. The breakfast setup is also described as generous, including fruits, yoghurt, small egg crepes and sometimes even a little celebration to kick off the day's journey on the Camino.
While few guests found the breakfast limited or lacking in some aspects like protein or variety, the overall reception remains overwhelmingly positive. The location where breakfast is served—sometimes noted as the neighboring Green Hut restaurant—is also praised for its convenience and quality.
In summary, breakfast at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques is widely appreciated not just for its taste and variety but for the thoughtful, communal experience it helps foster among pilgrims.
Dinner
Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques offers an exceptional dining experience that has garnered widespread praise from its guests, particularly pilgrims. Known for its communal dinners, the hostel provides an inviting atmosphere where travelers can connect and unwind after a long day. The dinners, often vegetarian, are highly rated for their delicious, home-cooked style with many noting the food is both simple and superbly tasty. The shared meal is often cited as a memorable part of the stay, enhancing the sense of community among guests.
While dinners come at an extra cost of 10 Euros, reviewers consistently affirm that the meals are well worth the price with some describing them as fantastic and satisfying. The meals, from mouth-watering tofu curry to healthy salads, are praised for their quality and for providing ample portions, although a few guests noted that breakfast was more ordinary. The terrace dining option with picturesque views adds to the overall delightful experience.
The energy, vibe and warmth of the hosts contribute greatly to making the dinner a highlight, often making it a great start to the Camino pilgrimage. While meal options are primarily vegetarian, their nourishing and delicious nature, along with the possibility of personal connections and shared conversations, ensures that dinner at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques is not to be missed.
Rooms
Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques offers a charming and clean hostel experience for pilgrims, nestled close to historical sites and the pilgrims' office. The accommodation is notably adorned with small works of art, sculptures and a cozy and warm interior that creates a welcoming atmosphere. Each room, whether private or shared, is spacious and well-furnished, featuring comfortable single beds with no bunk beds, which adds to the comfort and high standards of the stay. The dormitories particularly stand out for their spaciousness and good ventilation, ensuring a pleasant night's sleep. The bathrooms and shower rooms are clean and spacious, meeting the expected standards of modern amenities. Guests can also enjoy lovely communal dinners and breakfasts, contributing to the hostel's wonderful shared spaces. The proprietor's warm welcome and attentive service further enhance the overall experience at this beautifully maintained accommodation.
Beds
At Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques, guests consistently praise the beds for their comfort and thoughtful design. Every bed is equipped with its own power point, shelf and lamp, ensuring convenience for travelers. The beds are arranged with ample space between them, providing a good sense of personal space and contributing to a restful atmosphere. Privacy is further enhanced by the use of curtains around individual beds, making them feel more secluded and separate from neighboring sleepers.
The accommodations feature single beds rather than bunk beds, which guests particularly appreciate for the added comfort and luxury. The beds are noted to be sturdy and clean with quality bedding to ensure a good night's sleep. Moreover, the addition of individual lights and sockets by each bed makes the stay more comfortable and convenient for guests.
Despite being dormitory-style, the beds are well-regarded for their sturdiness and the privacy provided by partitions and curtains. This setup seems to foster a peaceful and serene sleeping environment, much needed by weary pilgrims. In summary, the careful attention to bed design and room layout at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques has successfully created a comfortable and private haven for its guests.
Cleanliness
Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques: a hostel for pilgrims, consistently excels in cleanliness according to guest reviews. The reviewers frequently highlight the immaculate state of the entire establishment including the bathrooms and showers. The rooms and common areas are described as both tidy and super comfortable. Guests often mention the bright and modern appearance of the property, making it not only visually appealing but also practically spotless. The hostel’s cleanliness extends throughout, from the accommodations to the shared facilities, which are neatly organized and well-maintained. In addition to the pristine environment, visitors appreciate the friendly and welcoming atmosphere provided by the attentive staff. Overall, Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques offers guests a clean and comfortable stay, reflecting high standards of hygiene and care.
Staff
The reviews for Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques highlight exceptional staff and a warm, welcoming atmosphere ideal for pilgrims. Guests consistently praise the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, noting a warm welcome upon arrival and a consistently friendly and supportive demeanor throughout their stay. The owners, volunteers and managers receive high praise for their attentive and kind service, making guests feel at home and supported at the beginning of their Camino journey.
Specific staff members, such as Ax, Karen and Andrew, are commended for their personalized, thoughtful service and the hosts are appreciated for their genuine care and support. The staff’s enthusiasm, professionalism and attentiveness help in creating a congenial and spiritual vibe, making each guest's experience memorable. The manager's meticulous care and the volunteers' willingness to help contribute significantly to the positive experience.
Guests also appreciate the hospitable and friendly environment with many citing the warm reception, cleanliness of the accommodations and enjoyable breakfast as standout features. The personal touch of the hostess’s Camino ritual also left a deep impression on guests. Overall, the staff at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques are seen as the heart of the hostel, providing outstanding hospitality and support to their guests.
No, Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques: a hostel for pilgrims doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques: a hostel for pilgrims.
No, Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques: a hostel for pilgrims doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques: a hostel for pilgrims.
No, Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques: a hostel for pilgrims doesn't have a gym.