CASA DEL LAGO LODGING HOUSE

We had a wonderful stay. Lots of drinking water was provided. Hot shower was consistent. The building and flowers were charming. We had everything we needed in the kitchen to cook a basic meal. Yes, there were some insects but I think that’s normal? Room was serviced most days too. Also walkable to everything you need yet quiet. Slept well. Good air conditioning. Great value. Elena is also very helpful.

The guest house host Elena was amazing. When our flight became delayed last minute for a few days she graciously shifted our reservation when she didn't have too. She was very helpful with finding things around Puerto Ayora and sharing stories of her previous guiding experiences. We both really enjoyed the accommodations. Nice and clean. Loved all the plants and personal touches on the building itself. Elena built the place herself and the love shows. So much more character here then some of the sterile feeling resort equivalents. We ended up staying at Elena's multiple times during our Galapagos trip with Puerto Ayora being our gateway to the other islands. Cannot recommend a better place!

The Tortuga bay suite is right by the street so you hear the street noise until about 10:30pm on workdays and about 11:30pm on a Friday. The suite has a stupid design with glass bottle opening right to the hallway light that can be on for the entire night. The air conditioner doesn’t work well; it makes a noise at night and is quite disturbing. With the many mosquitoes, we could not open the windows and it was quite a terrible experience to sleep at night. The soap and shampoo/body wash are diluted. The fridge is incredibly noisy and you cannot sleep with it being on (and food goes back with it being off, of course). The plates are dirty and require extra cleaning. Space is very small for a family of four and there isn’t much space for luggage at all. Oh, and there is no breakfast option (with pay) at all. The only good thing is the location being 5 min away from the pier. But there are many other options around the block. Avoid at all costs.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the same experience as I read on the reviews here. What I enjoyed: the rooms/hostel are made from recycled materials, it gives a creative and personal feel. The location is perfect; within 5-10 min you can walk around town. The host Elena is really friendly and welcoming. The shower is hot through solar panels. What I didn’t enjoy: all three nights I didn’t sleep well because of bugs and noise. There were ants and also less likeable bugs in or around my bed. They can come in whatever you do, because there are cracks in the walls and windows. I slept here during the weekend and there was live music from 19.30 until deep in the night. Lastly, some of the windows don’t have curtains. It didn’t feel nice to have the lights on when it is dark outside. I’m sorry to write this review, but for me, having this information beforehand, would probably helped me to make another choice.

Sadly we were quite disappointed, the house looks still great from the outside with the colourfully decorated facade and lots of nice plants, but the rooms itself are really getting old. The kitchen was of no use, cause it was badly equipped, the fridge was dirty, there was no drinking water available the first day. The A/C is old and noisy, we had to repair it by ourselves. Del Lago room is the best choice of all I think,if you still want to stay here. The street in front the house feels like a main road, very loud and noisy from 5:30 am on, hard to find good sleep. In the pictures you see a delicious breakfast but there is no breakfast neither included nor available. The host was seen at our first day for 5 min, not very helpful and friendly. Not any kind of hospitality we got to experience in other places. There was no introduction of the place and the possible activities as we knew it from other hotels. The most important was to pay the bill before we see the rooms. Perhaps it was once a great and charming place but not as it is now. I would definately not come again. We didn't feel welcomed at all sadly. Besides not good value for money.

Booked for a week in Nov '23 after recommendation from a friend. Elena was a fantastic host who helped with bookings and advice on a land based week in the Galapagos. We booked the Del Lago Suite and were very pleased with it. Hot Water, Clena towels and comfortable beds. Kitchen was adequate for Breakfast, snacks and cold beers, after all, who wants to cook a meal when you can get 2 courses for $5 within 300m. Plenty of Drinking water available from dispenser on our terrace.Great location, close to bus/tour stops. There is a cafe as part of the building but Elena is looking for a new tenent to take that on. So no Breakfast onsite. There were no issues with bugs as mentioned by a previous reviewer. The lagoon is not as nice as the photos as it hasn't been maintained by the National Park for a couple of years, but don't let that put you off, great place to stay.

We had a very nice stay at Casa del Lago! They were able to accommodate our request for early check in after a rough ferry crossing - we were so grateful! The lady at the front desk is lovely. The hotel is about a 5 minute walk from the pier in a great location, with the grocery store close by. The design is quirky and fun. The internet was great, and they provided drinking water, as well as useful things in the small kitchen (glasses, utensils, etc.). We would absolutely stay here again!

Decent location, fine accomodations, but deceptive practices The place is located in a decent spot in the Puerto Ayora town, and the room I had (Cucuve) had everything as described. Towels changed every day was a nice bonus. Cucuve is a small room, not much space for anything beyond a bed. As for the cons, there's multiple, which would have probably stopped me from choosing this place compared to everything else. 1. Deceptive pricing - I booked online through their own provided Cloudbeds website, and was quoted 74 dollars a night. Upon arrival, I find that they "accept" credit cards, but tack on an additional 10 dollar fee per night, bringing me to 84 a night. This is completely unknown until you get there. 2. Lack of provided water - After paying 84 a night, you are provided around 1 liter of water in a carafe, but are expected to go get your own. I can understand if this was a budget hostel, but once again. 3. No breakfast included despite clearly advertising it - I booked through their own cloudbeds website, which clearly states free american breakfast. However, upon arrival, Elena told me breakfast was not included and said that I paid a lower rate and don't get breakfast included as a result. There's some benefits to this place, but my experience overall was thrown off by the increases in rates and lack of amenities that would have made me chosen an entirely different place overall. Would not choose again as a solo traveler, maybe if you had a family and wanted to a kitchen, but even then, you're better off finding another place that has a kitchen and provides water and breakfast.