Bay House stands at Shark Bay on the Camino a las Grietas, in the Punta Estrada district across the water from the main part of Puerto Ayora, and it is one of the few places on that side of the bay that does not cost a splurge. It is about a minute's walk from Academy Bay and some six minutes from Playa de los Alemanes, with Tortuga Bay Beach roughly a kilometre away, and the path to Las Grietas begins a short way along the same road. The hotel has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna and massage services, a terrace and garden, a playground and a library, and an on-site Italian restaurant. Rooms include an ocean-view double with a balcony and economy doubles with pool access and garden views, all air-conditioned with free wifi, a safe and a desk. Breakfast, described as English, is offered, though descriptions differ on whether it is free or a surcharge, so confirm when you book. A roundtrip airport shuttle is available on request for a fee per vehicle. It is a three-class property with no guest rating shown yet, so treat it as a lesser-known option. It suits travellers who want a quieter, beach-adjacent stay on the Punta Estrada side, near the walk to Las Grietas, with the town reachable by water taxi.
Location and getting around
Punta Estrada is quieter than the town, with sea lions and marine iguanas on the rocks and a calm evening feel. From Bay House you walk to the beach at Playa de los Alemanes, to the start of the path to Las Grietas and, a little farther, to the Tortuga Bay trail, while the harbour restaurants and the docks are across the bay by water taxi. Distances to the town landmarks are given as a drive, a reminder that the town is across the water, so factor in the water taxi, which runs through the day, for dinners and early boat departures.
Rooms and facilities
The ocean-view double with a balcony is the best room, and the economy doubles with pool access suit travellers who prefer to spend time outside. In the grounds you will find the pool, the hot tub and the sauna, a small playground and a library, and barbecue grills, and the Italian restaurant means dinner is easy without crossing the bay. A 24-hour front desk helps with tour and ticket bookings, and luggage storage and a safe are available. There is no on-site parking.
Good to know
Check-in is from midday and check-out is mid-morning, and pets are not allowed. Descriptions differ on whether breakfast is free or a surcharge, so confirm before you book. Because no guest score is shown yet, read the most recent reviews from other sites to judge the current standard, and ask about room noise from the road and the restaurant.
If you want to stay on the quieter side of the bay without the price of the beachfront resorts, it is worth a look, particularly for travellers who plan to swim at Las Grietas and Playa de los Alemanes. Reserve ahead in high season.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool and hot tub
- ✓Sauna and massage service
- ✓Italian restaurant on site
- ✓Ocean-view balcony rooms
- ✓Free WiFi and air conditioning
- ✓Terrace, garden and playground
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
Where is Bay House?+
At Shark Bay on the Camino a las Grietas in the Punta Estrada district, across the bay from the main town and about six minutes on foot from Playa de los Alemanes.
Is breakfast included?+
Descriptions differ on whether the English breakfast is free or a surcharge, so confirm the terms with the hotel when you book.
How do I get to town?+
By water taxi across the bay, which is the usual way to reach the harbour restaurants and the docks.
