Baystay Bed & Breakfast

Comentarios destacados

• rwtn

  01 enero 2017
  Good location, forget it if you respect your privacy

  We booked the spa suite through hotels.com for 8 nights over X'mas. First, the positives: location and location. It's a 5 minute stroll to the beach through a quiet side street and 5-10 minute walk to town. The downsides: the suite itself has a very basic if just functional kitchenette (no sink), no aircon or fan, poor sound insulation from noise upstairs, and cockroaches. Honestly, we were quite happy to make peace and deal with these more underwhelming aspects of the place (which we did) if it weren't for the rather more disturbing incidents involving our host. On the second day, I came back to the apartment to find him and my husband chatting about things to do and places to eat in town. So far so good. Then towards the end, he suddenly turned to me and said, "If you have time, I can show you some massage tricks." At the time, it seemed slightly out of context and violating of personal boundaries but I politely brushed it off in jest with "no thanks, but perhaps you could teach my husband." Giving the benefit of the doubt, I rationalised I'd stumbled upon their conversation late so it was plausible our host had earlier shared with my husband his career in massage therapy, so perhaps his comment to me wasn't entirely out of context. (It transpired his comment was equally out of context to my husband, who found it offensive on both his part and mine, but like me, was determined to start our hard-earned holiday on the right note.) So we put it out of our minds initially. Until, inevitably, the following incident. I was in the bathroom which has some shutters overlooking the spa tub. We would generally leave the window shutters slightly ajar unless we needed them shut for total privacy, because the bathroom had no other source of ventilation and with no air con the apartment was stinking hot. I'd just walked into the bathroom and turned around, only to catch the gaze of our host through the shutters. Having stayed in many B&Bs where in my experience hosts are unerringly cautious and always extremely careful to avoid any suggestion of intruding on their guests' privacy, the last thing I was expecting was the host outside the open bathroom window, much less having the nerve to steal a glance!! Thankfully I hadn't, but heaven forbid I should have taken a shower and stepped out at that point! I cannot describe how repulsed I felt by him in every fibre of my being. Particularly in light of the earlier 'massage tricks' comment, which now smacked of a degree of presumption and entitlement towards me that felt simply revolting. So every day for a week from that point on, no matter how stinking hot the apartment got, we judiciously adjusted the shutters when using the bathroom, even though that meant climbing in and out of the spa tub each time. (Incidentally, the spa tub is a nice touch, but be warned that should you actually wish to use it, it is completely within view of the room and balcony upstairs which presumably belongs to the host - consider yourself forewarned. Or consider wearing bathers.) Most days I found myself wanting to minimise time spent at the apartment so as not to cross paths with our host and because it simply was not a relaxing place to be. So all in all, the lack of respect for privacy and personal boundaries left a sour taste during what would otherwise have been a decent stay. Please note none of the above reflects on our other host, with whom we had less contact, but was gracious and discreet throughout and completely beyond reproach, which is why (together with the location) I'm giving this two stars.

  

• T8210FVmariac

  30 enero 2017
  Wonderful stay

  The location, accommodation and hospitality were all perfect!Baystay is a wonderful exception, It the owners were available at any time, suggesting the best places to visit, making just two fantastic days... is really close to town!!!We really enjoyed our stay - and will definately return! Luca and Maria from Amalfi coast

  

• Marisa S

  04 marzo 2017
  Great quiet location

  I had a great time at Baystay. Place was cosy and comfortable with a lovely spa and sauna. It was very private with my own entrance. The garden surrounds were beautiful. The hosts were really great. John was so helpful and nice. He organised a bike for me and provided lots of useful information about the area. Location was perfect with only a 5 minute walk to town. Will definitely be back and stay here again

  

• Sara D

  29 diciembre 2017
  Amazing House, Owners and Location

  We have stayed at Baystay several times in the last 2 years and will certainly stay again. The hosts John and Jane go out of their way to make our stay perfect. I have stayed in 3 rooms and they are all equally as good. Everything is clean and well presented. The house is an easy walk to Byron town centre, the beach and the Lighthouse and yet it's so quiet. Free parking by the house and the area is very safe.The hosts are very knowledgeable about the area and are well traveled people so they know exactly what people expect. Thanks so much Jane and John, we'll be back.

  

• noelmaree

  20 julio 2018
  Disappointing

  I am truly amazed at how poor some accommodation owners are at making sure the space they provide is well presented and clean. I guess you get what you pay for and if a place seems cheaper than other operators nearby, then there is a reason. There are places you walk into and immediately feel comfortable and confident about the cleanliness. There are others that you feel the need to wipe over Remotes and switches and taps with antiseptic cloths and to wash the crockery and cutlery before using. Baystay was the latter. My bed was comfortable and the linen was clean, the owner very nice and checkin was effortless but thats pretty much where the positives stopped. Oh, it was lovely and quiet. My room at Baystay was dark and had a musty smell. If you opened the thin and in need of a wash curtains, there was no privacy. There was no screen door either so staying here in the summer would be difficult as I imagine leaving the door open would result in an invasion of flies, mosquitoes and midgies. It was cool when I was there so this wasnt a problem. There was no window covering on the bathroom window or 3 small high up windows in sleeping area. In the summer, this might be a problem with light in the mornings. The blind in kitchenette was grimey. Dont expect complimentary toiletries at Baystay. There was an old liquid soap container on the bathroom sink that didnt work. No shampoo or conditioner so lucky I had my own. I purchased my own shower gel because if I had bought soap I would have had to put it on the soap scum covered soap caddy in the shower. The shower curtain was clean but it had been cut in half lengthwise I guess so they could get two out of one. But wouldnt you think they would sew or hem it? Not here - it was all frayed. The ironing board was one of those useless small table top things and the cover was so stained and grubby looking I wouldnt use it. As I was in Byron for work I needed to iron so I used the bed instead. The provided kitchen cloth/sponge was used and dirty. Not even washed after the previous guest. I purchased my own. The kitchen bin didnt have a lid and was lined with a plastic supermarket bag, which is fine, even commendable, but no spare was provided. Apparently there were teabags in the glass jar on top shelf in cupboard. I couldnt reach it so bought my own. Not sure I would have used them even if I could access them. The front verandah light wasnt working so it was a bit difficult traversing the stone pathway to the door and then finding the keyhole when it was dark. Oh, by the way I have to say the garden was lovely. Sorry Baystay but I would not stay again.