I have stayed in the "Guest Hut", which is a budget room located in the building, where also the reception is (the reception is on the ground floor). It costs 50 USD, which is a real bargain and have had everything I needed, including air-con and bathroom. Yap is a very peaceful and relaxed island and Pathways provide great service. On one day I have had booked an island tour, which was great. For another day, I wanted to have a cultural tour. But the cultural tour needs a minimum number of visitors, to take place. Unfortunately it was cancelled, because there have only been two guest of another hotel, who are interested in the cultural tour (as far as I recall the minimum number are 6 people). To get some pictures of women in traditional clothing the manager arranged, that I drove with the driver to the school compound, where we met some girls, who are performing in the Cultural Tour. The accepted to drive to a stone money bank, where they dressed in traditional clothing for some pictures. At the last evening at the hotel I have had a traditional meal, which was excellent. Pathways offers a really a great service! I can recommend them!

We stayed for 4 days/5 nights.Locally (family) owned and operated, the Pathways is a charming hotel, going to some rough time right now due to the slow economy (both local and global). It is fair to say that the hotel is past is prime shape and in need of some remodeling since the thatch roof bungalows and wooden pathways have a lot of charm but require more maintenance than regular stucco/concrete buildings. However it remains a good value compared to the other options in Yap. Breakfast was included and we were provided delicious lunch boxes with reef fish and taro for a low $2. Staff was also very helpful to organize and help with all our activities. They provided guided tours for both hiking and driving around the island. They also linked us with diving and kayaking operators. Most of all, they gave us a chance to interact directly with the local culture, since the hotel owner and staff are all from Yap proper and outer islands, and were always available to have a chat and chew some betel nut.
I will also give a review here of Dive-Center Yap, located at the ESA hotel 100 yrds down the road. This is the diving operator Pathways will link you with unless you ask otherwise. It is owned and managed by Klaus, with local boat driver/dive master.
On the pro side, I was able to dive the whole week (3 days) as the only customer on the boat, which is not very common. may be due to the low season (xmas week) and again the slow economy. Klaus offered me to go on a couple of dives right away in the afternoon of our first day, accessible after 30min boat ride. Staff was very helpful and friendly, they even took us to a family barbecue on the second day, on the way back from our dives! Finally I was able to negotiate a good discount for a 3 day/6 dives package, with a very competitive pricing.
Regarding the diving itself, I was very disapointed. first there is no map of the dive sites available in the shop so unless you come prepared you will have to fully trust the owner to pick the sites for you. everyone wants to see Manta in Yap, so I went 3 times to Mi'il channel, which is supposed to be a cleaning ground for the Ray in December. As you might guess I did not see any, but learned later that the Yap Diving group had seen some on the same day at the same site. so I wonder if the staff really knew were the cleaning station are actually located or if it was just bad luck (Mantas don't make appointments). From the other dives I did I could see that the fish population was low (by micronesian standards) and there was a lot of bleached coral. it certainly does not match diving in Palau. there is shark feeding practice, so if you dive Vertigo wall you are guaranteed to see several sharks even if you don't bring them food. Klaus later told me diving in the south of the island is much better (too late) and that he is organizing a live aboard to the outer islands (the first of its kind in Yap) that sounded very promissing. If you really want to see Mantas that might be a better option or try Yap Divers.

I use to live on Yap for several years and decided to go back and see how much of the island changed after a decade. WOW. The Pathways has always been a great place to meet with other Expats for refreshments and just some small talk. My son's always wanted a first hand look at the fruit bat that was near the lobby in a cage. The place is fantastic. When I stayed this time as a tourist, my expectations were not even second guessed. "No problem" or "Absolutly" were common statements from the staff and followed through with it. I am already looking forward to going back and seeing how much has changed on this wonderful island.

After diving Truk Lagoon, we traveled to Yap. Staying at Pathways was Wonderful. It was so relaxing and beautiful. Without a doubt the most enchanting hotel we've ever stayed at on a dive trip ..... LOVE IT