Bay View Hotel in which town or city please? There's one in Albufeira which I will be walking past later today.

sorry, the one in Albufeira

Well reception was open last night and I saw lights in a couple of bedroom windows. But yes, the bookings.com website says in big letters than no reservations are possible.

I cannot find a phone number for them in the local telephone book.

I tried hotels.com website and that too comes up with 'no availability' for a random week next month.

I wonder what's going on.

but it is or was owned by Petchey Leisure and there's some contact numbers for them on this old web page

http://www.petcheytravelshop.com/algarve_bayview.htm

Might be worth giving them a call. Perhaps its changing hands.

thanks for all your help