Magnificent view of San Juan Gaztelugatxe from room 8! Simple accommodations, no frills, bells or whistles but a great location for hiking to San Juan Gaztelugatxe, right at the trailhead. The bed needs an upgrade, shower was small but clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. This is a relatively isolated location, quiet and very peaceful at night. I wasn't around during the day, I used it as a home base to visit San Juan Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Gernika and Bakio.
It could have been I didn't understand the directions to get there from Bakio. My Spanish is limited, but I never found the taxibus to get to Gaztelubegi from Bakio. I asked several locals how to get there and no one knew how I could get there saying there were no buses or taxis to get there this time of year. It is most easily reached if you have a car. Apparently in the summer raxibuses run frequently, but not after September. Eventually, a local bar owner drove me the last 3 km in his personal car (a very nice man with the bar across from west/Bilbao bound bus stop, sadly I don't know the name of the place as I would recommend stopping in for refreshments bc the family was so kind).
I arrived mid day and was able to check-in and hike out to SJG prior to my selected time. (You must register for a free ticket in advance to hike out to the island.) Gaztelubegi sits just above the trailhead with excellent views. There is food, coffee and bar service until late afternoon/early evening, then nothing available after that, so plan for an early meal or grab a Jamon flauta and a bottle of wine for later! Fortunately, someone had posted this info in another review or I would not have known and there wouldnt have been anything to eat when I returned later.
The next morning coffee and pastries were available and they were able to get me to the taxibus stop to go to Bermeo. I visited Bermeo and caught a quick 30 minute train ride to Gernika and some other small beautiful towns and returned to Gaztelubegi that evening. It is quiet, peaceful and isolated, for the most part I had the patio and place to myself, refreshing!
With the staff's assistance I was able to get a taxibus back in to Bakio to continue my journey.
All in all I loved the place and the serenity it provided during my trip. I believe there was only 1 other guest at the time.
Trailhead access for SJG is easy and the views are spectacular. If you can do without the bells and whistles for a couple of days I'd recommend staying here. Simple, friendly staff and peaceful setting. if you listen closely you might hear a dragon fly overhead😉