Villa Baya Aparta-Hotel

The relaxed Villa Baya Aparta-Hotel stands on a narrow
side street in the sleepy former fishing village of Bayahibe, now mostly known for
having the best scuba diving sites in the Dominican Republic. The easygoing local vibe might be what
draws the mostly European travelers to the equally low-key hotel: There’s little more here than simple rooms, cheerful staff, and free coffee
in the mornings. Still, for the price, it's hard to beat -- public spaces are bright and tropical, from the building's yellow Spanish colonial exterior and abundant palm trees to the simple, open-air common areas. Additionally, the hotel has 24-hour gated
security. There's a sort of bohemian vibe here, and the palapa in the center of the property provides the option to socialize with other guests -- at least the ones who don’t spend all day diving or snorkeling on the local beaches. 

The hotel is in sleepy Bayahibe, a former
fishing village that’s slowly gaining popularity among international tourists,
mostly for scuba diving. There's also a charming, relatively intact local culture here -- you’ll hear more Spanish than in some of the more popular vacation towns like Punta Cana and Bavaro. It’s one of the best places in all of the
Dominican Republic for divers, with over 20 official dive sites in and around
the area. The local beach is a
ten-minute drive from the hotel, and it’s also the embarkation point for Saona
Island, a sparsely inhabited place with various beaches and a national park. Otherwise
Dominicus Beach is also just a 10-minute drive away.The hotel is within walking distance of all the necessities. The local grocery store is a three-minute walk from here, and also has a bus
stop for getting to the local sights. Keep in mind that there
doesn’t seem to be a coherent schedule for buses, and they seemed most frequent in the morning and evening when we were in town. The bank and ATM is a
four-minute walk away, and other currency exchanges are sprinkled
throughout the small town. For dining, there are a ton of local and international
options, all within a short walk or drive. These include Saona Cafe, with great breakfast options (a four-minute walk); Lost Bar and Restaurant, a popular bar
among expats (a four-minute walk); and Las Palmas for made-to-order fresh lobster
(an eight-minute drive). It's a 50-minute drive to Punta Cana, which also has the closest airport. Santo Domingo is a two-hour drive from here, though the DR's main international airport, Las Americas, will take 90 minutes to reach. 

There are mix of rooms on offer at Villa Baya, all of which are clean and basic, but
not without their charm. The simple,
sometimes clashing decor consists of natural wood and neutral, earthy tones, with
a few red and orange accents. Details like fresh flower bouquets that are replaced
daily, roomy private terraces, and bright textiles help add value, but all in all the look has a decidedly budget feel. Still, for the price, these are a good value -- especially the apartments. These come with spacious kitchens that are
well-equipped for short-term stays, and feature mini-fridges, stove-tops, coffeemakers, and
standard cookware. Apartments also have dining tables plus sitting areas with a futons and lots of closet space, but no safes. All rooms include flat-screen TVs and ceiling fans, and most have air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is free and functional.Bathrooms here are reasonably sized, and include hot showers and limited counter space. Water pressure can be touch and go. Light sleepers should beware: The local neighborhood can be loud --
past guests have complained of the neighbor’s music, barking dogs, and roosters
waking them early in the morning. Also, the beds here are stiff and uncomfortable, adding to any potential sleeping woes.

There's very little in the way of features at this hotel -- don't expect a pool or anything like that. The hotel does serve free coffee and fruits in the morning in
their casual lobby, with extras like pastries, breads, and eggs available at a
nominal fee. There is a restaurant that provides casual meals, but at the time of writing in early 2016 it was temporarily closed, so check ahead (this may also affect what's available in the mornings).The hotel has a palapa with a few
comfy seats and stacks of things to read -- it’s an informal book swap and serves
as a breezy place to read or relax. There are also some trinkets for sale in the lobby. Wi-Fi
is free and mostly functional everywhere on the property. There’s limited but
free and secure parking within the compound.