The Ferry
I chose to have the better cabins for this trip. They definitely make the crossing more comfortable by having somewhere to sit without having to sit on the bed or compete for a seat in the public areas. Also simply having more space and natural light means it is less like sitting in an oversized fridge.
I have travelled on both Cap Finistère and Pont-Aven before and despite the Pont-Aven appearing a little more fancy, almost mini-cruise style, it was little different in real terms. However, on this trip I reckon the Pont-Aven is actually smoother and does not bob around so much, though this could simply have been related to the cabin on Cap Finistère being close to the front of the boat.
The accommodation on the Pont-Aven is superior as well, the option of a balcony is a nice option, though the number of rooms with this is limited. And the Commodore Lounge is great, a small area with coffee machines and wifi (admittedly not the fastest, but far from unusable – though I only discovered it was OK a few hours from Plymouth). The TV service on the Pont-Aven is more reliable as well, on Cap Finistère channels would keep dropping out, I assume this is down to more movement of the boat causing the satellite signal to be lost, but obviously this is pure conjecture on my behalf.
In future I would try to book only routes served by Pont-Aven!
Hotel Rural Loizu
This was a pretty basic room and felt a little tired unlike the ones shown on the website, but the bed was comfortable and I slept soundly. The bathroom was small, but functional. Note: the room next door was being re-decorated when I arrived, so I assume they are in the middle of a rolling re-furb.
Staff were friendly and the beer was not expensive, which is always a bonus. I appeared to be the only person without a ‘reserved’ table for breakfast, despite making a breakfast reservation at check-in, and I ended up hurriedly ‘plonked’ at a table next to where everyone was coming in and out, not the end of the world, but it was a little disappointing.
The hotel is on the Pamplona fork of the Camino de Santiago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago) and it appears that many of the guests were ‘pilgrims’.
There was not much else going on or open in the town and while this was an ideal place for the first night, I would probably look for somewhere else if in the area again.
Parador de Vielha
I had read about Paradors on some of the Internet forums and decided for this trip that I would consider them, I joined as an ‘Amigo’, which is free and provides access to preferential rates, though membership only remains valid if a booking is made within the first few months of membership.
After I had decided I would base myself in a couple of locations for several nights at a time I discovered I could get an excellent deal on a junior suite with breakfast at this Parador (which was already on my shortlist).
I have added photos of the room because it was not obvious on the Parador website what a junior suite actually is!
Some of the Paradors are old buildings that have been changed into hotels, Vielha is not one of them, it is purpose built, but has great views of the mountains (when the clouds aren’t in the way). The main road loops round the Parador and it is busy during the day so there is some road noise if windows are left open, but it didn’t bother me.
I would stay here again, I am not a fan of hotels per se, but the ‘independence’ from having the suite changed the dynamic, the only odd thing is no coffee making provision in the room.
http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-vielha
Ripoll Apartment
When I first arrived at the end of a long ride I became concerned about the safety of the bike, public parking nearby was listed in the ad, but it was some distance from the apartment. I parked up at the side of the backstreet near the apartment while I waited for the owner (I arrived earlier than planned), my concern only increased while I sat there and was passed by a couple of police cars – it turns out the police station was at the end of the street and they were not patrolling the area specifically!
The owner was very helpful and the apartment block (5 apartments in total) appear to have been converted/refurbished recently and was very nice. There was an issue with the hot water not working, but it was resolved within a few hours (it turns out a previous guest may have fiddled with the settings). My only little grumble is that there was a washing machine, but no detergent, this is a common ‘complaint’ of mine, it would have been a perfect stay except for this.
Oh and it turns out there was room to park right outside the apartment, but only room for one bike.
Ideal for a couple, families (there is a second bedroom with bunks) or someone travelling solo (I would happily stay here again), probably not well suited to a group of hairy arsed* bikers!
Easy walk into town.
*Or waxed, whatever…the hirsuteness of bum is not particularly relevant to be fair.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/raval-de-ripoll.en-gb.html
Hotel Rural el Mirador (Santa Cruz de la Serós)
Friendly owner (who speaks less English than I speak Spanish, which made for amusing communication). The room was not overly large, but it was clean and comfortable with a small balcony that had a nice view over the town and surrounding hills.
Continental breakfast was good and the lady who was looking after things offered more (good) coffee without me asking, which I appreciated.
Only thing to be aware of when arriving here is the road to it is quite steep and if you miss the turning it is a dead-end and necessitates a u-turn on a slope! I managed to plan the manoeuvre in the few seconds notice I had, but I can imagine it would be pretty easy to misjudge it and end up with a bike on its side.
Definitely worth considering again, though I would check on whether the restaurants are likely to be open first.
http://www.elmiradordelospirineos.com/en/el-mirador-de-los-pirineos-2/
