Refugi de l'Illa — Attraction in Encamp

This staffed refuge was an interesting and memorable place to stay in the middle of my 2 day hike.

I walked up from Andorra la Vella on a rainy day. I found the hike very strenuous. It was almost entirely uphill. It took me a little over 6 hours.

After reading the reviews online and seeing the prices, I decided to pack my own dinner, breakfast, and lunch instead of paying for a half-pension from the refuge. This place is totally off-grid, so everything they serve or sell you has to be flown in by helicopter (or something!), so it will cost you a lot. A can of soda costs 4€ for example. They sell wine, but my bunkmate said it was bad. They charge everyone an extra 1€ for a one minute shower, and the overnight fee was 21€ with a 1€ tax. My bunkmates confirmed that the dinner was weird, boiled chorizo soup and rice or something like that. I saw that breakfast was coffee, bread, and jams. Standard.

There are two friendly hosts who speak a little English, enough to explain everything but better in Castellano or Catalan. There is starlink wifi available in the lounge while there's solar power. That was unexpected but welcome so I could update my family on my location and safety. Each dormitory has 8 beds. My room miraculously had no snorers, but we could hear people snoring in the other rooms through the walls, lol. They run on solar power, so the water pumps and plumbing only work in the afternoon and evening. They will explain this to you. There are no outlets or charging stations. There are no trash bins, you have to carry your trash away with you the next day. They provide a pillow and duvet on each bunk, but I can't imagine how they do laundry out there every day?... Summer grade sleeping bag necessary.

The views out the windows were lovely, and it was plenty warm overnight. I would recommend packing your own meals if it's possible for you. Otherwise, you're paying someone to fly your meals in by helicopter 3 months...

Myself and a group of 3 others were doing the coronallacs trail.

On the first day we stopped at Refugi de l’Illa and were initially impressed. The location is stunning, the building is well-maintained, and we were warmly welcomed by a kind young woman and a friendly gentleman. One of our group members mistakenly walked in with his shoes on but quickly apologized and removed them. No issue there.

We ordered lunch and were served delicious, home-cooked food using local ingredients—truly a highlight.

Unfortunately, our experience was soured by a third staff member—a large man with a beard and rough voice—whose behavior was shockingly rude and disrespectful. (Others have mentioned him in their reviews as well, which seems to suggest a pattern.)

After lunch, my wife went to use the shower. The entrance clearly says “Shower €1” with no mention of it being restricted to overnight guests. While she was mid-shower with shampoo in her hair, this staff member turned off the water. She called me, confused and uncomfortable, so I approached him calmly and respectfully, offering to pay more if needed—just to let her rinse off.

His response was dismissive and harsh, even suggestion that she rinse in the stream or lake outside. Absolutely unacceptable and degrading. I ended up using a water bottle to rinse her hair.

We had initially considered staying overnight and paying for the full board, but after being treated this way, we refused to spend another cent here.

It’s genuinely disappointing. This could be a truly special place - the first stop on a magical hike - but until management addresses the unacceptable behavior of this staff member, I recommend that others beware when approaching.

The job is hospitality, the least this member of staff could do is imitate his kind colleagues and treat his paying guests with respect, dignity and hospitality.

Of course much gratitude to the other staff and the...

Simplemente IMPECABLE. A 2488 metros de altura, en el corazon de un Parque Natural en los Pirineos de Andorra, este refugio es algo asi como un edificio caido del cielo. David, su responsable, es una persona de mano tendida que te ayudará en todo lo que necesites. Persona encantadora. Estuve hace poco durmiendo en este refugio y pude disfrutar de una cena buenísima, con agua y vino una habitacion de lujo donde había literas con colchon, manta, almohada... de lujo a 2488 metros ducha, si, DUCHA !! WC, si... lavabo donde poder sentarte El desayuno y el picnic para llevar, aun mejor. Las tostadas no cabian en la tostadora. CAfé buenísimo. Pequeño buffet de lujo en un refugio. Simplemente, un cinco estrellas. De lujo.

Y me gustaria comentar sobre algunas quejas que he leído, y que me parecen, en mi opinion, relativamente injustas. Me gustaria añadir lo siguiente:

1.- A los que os quejais de que un refresco vale 3 euros pero pagais el triple en la playa, os recordaría que esa lata que degustáis, ha llegado a ese refugio a lomos de un porteador como en el Everest, o bien en helicoptero. Ahi arriba, a 2488 metros de altura, esa lata que os bebéis, os debería saber a elixir de Dioses. Siempre podéis mirar si en el refugio de la lado está más barato. Pero ya os aviso de que no hay "refugio de al lado". No hay nada en horas de caminata.

2.- La calidad de la comida. Yo cené "carn d'olla" (carne de olla, plato tipico catalan) y carne de segundo. Melocotón de postre. A mí, me supo a caviar esa cena. Una vez más, creo que hay que recordar que tenemos que valorar y apreciar que alguien (DAvid) nos haga una cena excelente, en cantidad casi copiosa, en ese lugar perdido del mundo. No estamos en un hotel de 5 estrellas en plena ciudad. Esto es un refugio de montaña, aislado de todo donde jamás hubiera esperado cenar tan bien. Y sí, tenía refrescos y cerveza a disposicion. Por cierto... cena con vino, estupendo, incluído. Y una vez más, a quien se queja de la comida, me gustaria recordarle que piense por una vez, cómo esa materia prima llega a ese refugio. No llega en coche, ni en camion ni en moto. Llega via helicóptero o a lomos de porteador caminando cuesta arriba varias horas. Creo que en este tipo de alojamientos, hay que ser humilde y reconocer el buen trabajo de quien lo lleva.

3.- Internet ?? Vamos a ver, no hay cobertura en ese punto del Pirineo. El Refugi de l'Illa cuenta con una casi precaria conexion via satélite que no precisamente vale 29,99 euros al mes. La conexión internet es posible, pero bajo un uso responsable. Lo justito para enviar un mensaje a familia y amigos, no así para estar tres horas viendo videos. Hay que ser considerado y justo. Es un refugio de alta montaña. Yo, si fuera DAvid, cobraria el uso por tramos de internet. Esa conexion tiene un coste altísimo.

4.- Actitud del Personal. Jamás he estado en un refugio donde el equipo humano que gestiona el refugio, sean tan buenas personas. Lamento si alguien ha tenido experiencias diferentes, pero yo estoy...