We were beginning to worry. Our girl group had decided to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain this July, but hadn’t realized just hard it would be to find accommodation. For you see, finding a place to stay in Pamplona, Spain during the San Fermin festival is no small feat. The town of just 300,000 inhabitants swells to over 1 million when San Fermin kicks off on July 6th every year. A glut of tourists create more demand than supply, resulting in many feeling the “where am I going to stay?” pinch. Accommodation fills up quickly in Pamplona, and the few places left over can be pricey. Our resident nomadic chick Jeannie, in charge of securing a place for us to rest our pretty little heads, searched ardently but to no avail. Dead leads on accommodation abounded and I started to fear that sleeping in an open field would be in our near future.
And then Roomorama came to the rescue, coming on board as official accommodation provider for our fearless girl group.
Truthfully, I hadn’t heard of Roomorama until a few months ago. They established themselves in 2009 and are an accommodation provider specializing in short term apartment rentals to road-weary travellers seeking a home away from home. I’m a frequent hotel and hostel stayer, but after spending two weeks in Antigua, Guatemala last year to take a Spanish course, I see the appeal of staying in an apartment: a kitchen to make meals and a decent-sized fridge in which to store food spring to mind.
I also think it’ll be the perfect crash pad for my femmes fatales et moi. A quick preview of the soon-to-be digs:
What’s more, I quite fancy the idea of having a homey space to take a breather-San Fermin is sure to be intense. Located in Pamplona’s old town, our flat is just a stone’s throw away from all the excitement and is easy to escape to when this old fogey needs her beauty rest.
Have you ever stayed in a rental apartment on your travels? Would you?
Source for 1st image: World Travellist.com
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a great time! Can’t wait to read about the adventure:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Check Out Time – The Week in Travel
I have. Actually, when I went to Madrid. It was my first trip outside of the U.S as an adult. I located an online spanish school and the accommodations were in a flat. It was quite nice. I can’t wait for your post in July–it’s right around “la esquina, si.”
Claro que si!! I can’t wait either~!
I have rented apartments in Barcelona, in Madrid, in Paris, Tuscany , cape town and Pretoria . I love it! Feels like a home, means I can bring less clothing because I can wash. I save money on food by cooking a meal a day and feel like a local because I get to know the local fresh fruit and bread stores.
Rented apartments in Paris, Kiev, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. Great way to break up travel and have a chance to not eat in restaurants which can get pricey and boring, do laundry – important in long trips- and kick back more comfortably. I was travelling with husband, two daughters, mother, and sister, so the economics of three hotel rooms a night was also a consideration. But heated towel racks during 37C weather really are an unnecessary luxury. Gotta love Moscow!
I agree with the point of breaking up a long stint of eating out in restaurants- sometimes a home-cooked meal is what one needs!
Oh my I love, love, love staying in rental apartments! I have long grown past hostels (ugh I am not a student anymore!) and on our recent trip to London and Paris, my mum and I stayed in apartments and we loved it! When you have been out tourist-ing all day, it’s so lovely to come home to a “home” rather than a small hotel room or a dingy hostel. I feel as though I can only stay in apartments now!
Sarah Thériault recently posted..Chocolate High Tea in Brisbane
We stayed in a cabin in Coyahaique, southern Chile, that had a kitchen, and it was nice to be able to do breakfasts and lunches for ourselves to keep costs down. Although my favorite part of that place was the wood-burning stove that kept things cozy!
Emily in Chile recently posted..Giveaway: UnoTelly DirectDNS
Wow! I would be scared…
Celina Globetrotter recently posted..Celina is playing with rocks
How exciting! I will be using them for my upcoming trip to BA!!! So glad they rescued you all.
Andi recently posted..Macau: Day 2 (Part 4)
I haven’t stayed in a rental yet but it’s on my list as I am tired of hostels in hotels – sometimes I just want to cook my own breakfast.
Ayngelina recently posted..Disconnecting in Hana
Sometimes the generic hotel/hostel food exhausts me also! I find that they are often low on the fresh fruits and veggies that I sometimes crave.
I think you have to be mad to take part in this! But it would be fun to watch.
Spencer recently posted..Ten Top Hotels in Las Vegas
We will be trying out airbnb for the first time in Paris. Our first time in France too, so this should be interesting all sort of firsts
Never tried airbnb but have heard good things as well!
I prefer apartment rentals i normally use Airbnb but ive heard amazing things about Roomorama xx
After searching for a decent hostel in Chicago for 6 people, we discovered a rental apartment that was in a gorgeous location, on the top floor of a brownstone with a deck – and it was cheaper than any of the hostel rooms we’d previously sussed out. Rentals are definitely the way forward, particularly if you’re in a group!
I’m thinking that apartment rentals will eclipse hotels for short-terms stays in the near future!
No kidding! Roomorama arrived on time to save our butts. Cute butts that they are.
Nomadic Chick recently posted..Teaching in China: the Ins and Outs
Lucky us~!
My first time in Paris, I stayed 20+ days. As a student this equals overly expensive hotel bill, or as a couchsurfer in a major city equals too many couches.
I connected with a girl who lived just outside Paris and while she visited the States I stayed in her very apartment. It was the best decision! I saved money by buying food, had a warm comfy safe place. Also got a ‘real’ french experience carrying groceries up a million stairs and dealing with the quirks of the building. I went out everyday with my friends and came ‘home’ each night. We have become friends and I was invited to her wedding.
I highly recommend going around the hotel route when possible, you will miss so much that only locals or ‘living’ locally can expose you to. Save hotels for a place to go in and ask directional questions or for the last couple days of a trip.
Had been to Madrid but missed out on this.
But in the first place, I wonder why people do this……..
Joe recently posted..A tribute to mother
For the adventure!!