The Galapagos Islands are a beautiful place for a cruise stop or a full vacation. For those wanting to stay in the Galapagos and wanting to do it in style, the islands offer a handful of all-inclusive resorts--hotels that offer complete packages. Three of the most popular all-inclusive resorts are the Finch Bay Eco Hotel, the Royal Palm Hotel Galapagos and Hotel Silberstein.
Finch Bay Eco Hotel, located on Santa Cruz and operated by Metropolitan Touring, offers a whole range of family-friendly amenities and packages for those wanting to explore the Galapagos. Finch Bay has three naturalist programs divided into three-, four- and five-day lengths. Naturalist programs include island excursions, a guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Institute, all meals, nightly accommodations and access to pool, beach and sporting activities.
Finch Bay also has two scuba diving programs divided into five- and eight-day lengths, which include nightly accommodation, meals, a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Institute, scuba diving equipment and scenic dives in places such as Gordon Rocks and Daphne Minor.
Aside from packages, the hotel offers a number of other activities, such as mountain bike excursions, trips to nearby islands, snorkeling, bird-watching, hikes, snorkeling and scuba diving lessons. Hotel amenities include a private yacht, outdoor activities such as kayaking and biking, pool and beach access, wireless Internet, balcony hammocks, air conditioning, airport pickup and a restaurant, bar and breakfast buffet.
Metropolitan Touring
Finch Bay Eco Hotel
Barrio Punta Estrada S/N
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
011 (+593) 2 298 8200
finchbayhotel.com
The Royal Palm, located on Santa Cruz, prides itself on its exclusivity and grandeur, and its prices are very seasonal, according to the resort's website. The Royal Palm features two hotel and yacht packages aboard the Beluga and the Reina Silvia. The Beluga, a 16-passenger yacht, offers three- and four-night excursions and includes trips to places such as North Seymour, Española Gardner Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station. The accompanying crew includes a cook and naturalist guide. The Reina Silvia, a 16-passenger yacht, offers three- and four-night excursions and includes trips to the Isabela Tagus Cove, Charles Darwin Research Station and Genovesa.
The Royal Palm also has two tour programs, the Santa Cruz Island Tours and the Inter Island Excursions. Both tour programs offer many different options for excursions and activities, are one day long and, depending on location, allow opportunities for shopping.
The Royal Palm Hotel features suite, villa and veranda-style rooms, as well as an art gallery, restaurant, bar, boutique, tennis courts and health and meeting centers.
Royal Palm Hotel Galapagos
Via Baltra Km. 18
Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
011 (+593) 5 2527 408
royalpalmgalapagos.com
Hotel Silberstein, located on Santa Cruz in Puerto Ayora, is small but luxurious and is one of the oldest hotels in the Galapagos. Silberstein offers excursion packages and a hotel-yacht program. Packages include a five-day honeymoon package, family package and student package, all of which include meals, island tours and boat cruises.
The yacht program has tours that last from four to eight days, includes airport transfers and takes guests to places such as the Santa Cruz highlands, Floreana and Bartolome.
The hotel itself offers many amenities including a restaurant, bar and laundry service, and is located 5 minutes from the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Hotel Silberstein
Av. Charles Darwin y Piqueros
Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz
Galapagos, Ecuador
011 (+593) 5 2526 277
hotelsilberstein.com
