Independent in Daphne Islands from NZ$146

"The Royal Palm offers a truly immersive Galápagos experience—set inland on a stunning 100 acre property, far from the touristy feel of the ports. Recently under new ownership, the property is being refreshed: rooms are spacious and renovated, the pool has been redone, and quiet renovations are underway, including apparently a unique lava tunnel spa. Some exterior areas still need attention, but the overall feel is serene and authentic. Service is top-notch and boutique-level, with attentive, personalized touches throughout. A special thank you to Gustavo, the ever-present and gracious manager. The restaurant is excellent, with a warm team—Rita made us feel at home and remembered our names. Breakfasts are fresh, varied and awesome. Excursions can be organized by the hotel and work seamlessly. Duncan gave us a deep dive into the island’s geology and ecology, while Maritza kept our 8–14-year-olds fully engaged with her energy and knowledge. Boat tour days were a highlight—fantastic snorkeling, incredible island views, and a surprisingly gourmet chef onboard (kudos)! The boat crew was kind and professional. Guide quality, however, faltered which was disappointing. Overall, The Royal Palm is a peaceful, character-rich base for a Galápagos trip—elevated by excellent service, comfort, and nature. "

"This property is absolutely stunning! My husband and I went to the Galapagos for a quiet, peaceful wildlife retreat and this property did not disappoint.The house is well equipped, including a cold/hot water dispenser and laundry facilities.There are giant tortoises walking around on the huge, secluded, private property. There are many well maintained pathways to walk on and explore.We highly recommend the chef service as well. Ingrid was prompt, courteous and professional and served a variety of delicious dishes. Yvonne was an amazing host who helped us with our entire trip including suggestions for the mainland Ecuador.Very, very happy with this experience."

"What a perfect way to experience the Galapagos islands! So happy my wife and I chose Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel over a hotel in the town. The grounds are wonderful. We walked the paths and saw the tortoises multiple times per day. It was an easy 10 minute taxi into town for tours, restaurants and other activity when we needed it. But we loved the quiet and tranquility at Semilla Verde. The pool is refreshing. The staff are so helpful and friendly. The coffee is grown on the property and makes an amazing breakfast even better. And we used the yoga/fitness studio every morning. What a perfect hotel for us. Highly recommend. And we used Guiding Galapagos Tours, who also made our stay in Galapagos an amazing experience. "

"Se lo recomendaría a cualquiera que venga a Ecuador por primera vez. Después de disfrutar de Puerto Aoya en las Galápagos, se puede entrar en contacto con la vida de los lugareños en el restaurante y supermercado Bellavista. El hotel se encuentra en un lugar tranquilo y relajante. Para llegar a Puerto Aoya, recomendamos alquilar una bicicleta y coger el autobús de vuelta al túnel por 50¢. El personal es amable."