Hostal España is a practical, no-frills base in the middle of Puerto Ayora, about three minutes' walk from Academy Bay, the Malecón and the ferry terminal. Its room list is unusually wide, from a single room and standard doubles to quadruple rooms, a studio suite that sleeps five and a four-bedroom family apartment for up to fourteen, so it works for solo travellers, couples and big groups. The building has an outdoor pool open through the day, a rooftop terrace, a garden, a small library and a coffee shop, and a bar and meeting rooms for those who need them. A continental breakfast is free, parking is free and wifi is available in public areas. Rooms are air-conditioned and have a private shower, a television and a wardrobe, and the property offers luggage storage, tour and ticket assistance and a roundtrip airport shuttle for a fee per vehicle. The Charles Darwin Research Station and Playa de los Alemanes are within about fifteen minutes on foot. The guest rating is good rather than outstanding, from over a hundred reviews, with location the highest scoring category, so expect a simple place with a strong position and fair value rather than a polished boutique.
Location and what to expect
The hostal is on the grid of streets just off the waterfront, so you are close to restaurants, bakeries, tour offices and the docks without being right on the busiest avenue. That makes it a convenient base for travellers who plan to be out on boats and in the highlands most days and want a clean, simple room, a pool to cool off in and a free breakfast to start the day. Taxis to Tortuga Bay and the highlands are easy to find nearby.
Rooms and facilities
The standard rooms are modest in size, and the family and group options are the main draw. The standard double, for example, sleeps up to three, and the family quadruple and studio suite are suited to families. In-room amenities include air conditioning, premium bedding, a private shower with toiletries, a flat-screen television with cable, a desk and daily housekeeping.
Public facilities include the pool, a rooftop terrace, a garden and a coffee shop. Free self-parking is a rare perk in Puerto Ayora, and the airport shuttle, if you want it, is charged per vehicle, which is cost-effective for groups.
Good to know
Check-in is open for most of the day and express check-in and check-out are available, so late arrivals are less of a problem than in some hotels. Free cancellation is offered on selected rates. Pets are not allowed. Because guest scores are more mixed than at the top-rated hotels, read recent reviews and ask the hostal for details of the room you will get, especially if noise or room age matters to you.
For budget-conscious travellers who would rather spend money on boat trips than on a room, it is a sensible choice. Reserve early for June to August and the December holidays.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Free continental breakfast
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Rooftop terrace and garden
- ✓Air conditioning in rooms
- ✓Coffee shop and library
- ✓Tour and ticket assistance
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
Is breakfast included at Hostal España?+
Yes, a free continental breakfast is included. Check the current terms when you book.
Is it suitable for groups and families?+
Yes. The room list includes quadruple rooms, a studio suite for five and a family apartment, so it handles groups well.
How far is it from the waterfront?+
About three minutes on foot to Academy Bay, the Malecón and the ferry terminal.
