Beilari is very possibly the best albergue in St. Jean Pied de Port. I can’t say for sure, because I haven’t been to them all, but it’s in my top ten albergues along the camino.
The proprietor of Beilari, Joeseph, is clearly passionate about hosting new pilgrims starting off on their camino journeys. Every effort is made to ease people into the camino life, from tags with your name on your bed, to explanations of how to be quiet, rules about getting up, going to bed and using the showers – but all communicated in a kind way – so you know that this is the way it will be along the trail.
A fabulous dinner (cooked by the talented Elizabeth) starts off with a go-around where each guest introduces themselves and tells about why they are doing the camino. A festive apparatif is had, and then the meal begins. Joseph insists that, for tonight, we are all family, and it really feels like it. If only for one night, this truly is our ‘camino family.’
Comfortable bunk beds, a 3 course dinner with wine, and a simple breakfast — 33 euros (lunch an extra 5 euros). Book weeks early – this place fills up fast! Directly across from the pilgrim’s office. http://www.beilari.info/en