The first Hilton Hotel has arrived in the Galapagos; the restaurant is a tunnel carved out of lava
The Galapagos is not a destination for mass tourism. As of today, it is not only possible to reach them using the [...]
The Galapagos is not a destination for mass tourism. From today it is not only possible to reach them using miles, but also to stay in the archipelago using points: this is thanks to the opening of the first Hilton facility.
In this article:
The Royal Palm Galapagos opened these days., Curio Collection by Hilton , A boutique hotel with 21 villas and deluxe rooms With the charm of an Ecuadorian Hacienda. Secluded on a 160-hectare estate in the lush forests of the Miconia Highlands, adjacent to Galapagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Surrounded by stunning scenery and pristine vegetation of the ethereal Galapagos Islands, located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton is designed to respectfully maximize guests' interactions with the remote, eco-friendly destination. Sheltered within a valley between two extinct volcanoes, the hotel features nine areas of geological interest from craters to lava tunnels and has a reception area, restaurants, and a gymnasium. By the end of 2022, the spa will also be open, while the pool will have to wait until the middle of next year.
The rooms
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The hotel's 21 deluxe villas and rooms are adorned with local fabrics, earth-tone fixtures and artistic touches, and offer contemporary casual elegance inspired by the nature reserve of the beloved enchanted islands.
Le eight deluxe rooms have spacious bedrooms, dining rooms and verandas or terraces for basking in the spacious garden and views of the nature reserve.
Similarly, the eight villas have a bedroom, bathroom, jacuzzi tub, living/dining room, and open fireplaces to savor the panoramic views of the estate and Santa Cruz Island.
The executive villas are secluded cottages with private garden, indoor sauna, living room and dining area with fireplace. The largest suite on the property is named after British royalty and boasts extreme privacy including two bedrooms, a sauna, private garden areas, a fireplace, a dining area and more.
For an even more immersive experience, guests can camp at the intersection of comfort and unspoiled nature. With three different campsites, the hotel offers a way to see the diversity of the Galapagos Islands with its overnight camping program.
Food & Beverage
The dining experience is the beating heart of the estate with cuisine largely based on fresh produce from the Galapagos Highlands, a culinary experience therefore with local ingredients, from fruits and vegetables to grass-fed meat products and sustainably harvested seafood.
The hotel houses the destination's only fine dining restaurant inside a lava tunnel located nearly 20 meters underground. Opened this year, this new culinary journey begins at Muttini, a building decorated with cannons and anchors, with a guided tour through the lava tunnel and ends at the volcanic vault with a six-course dinner inspired by local culture.
The Royal Palm Restaurant serves delicious international and local cuisine with a variety of Galapagos recipes using fresh ingredients from its farm and catch of the day. The 50-seat restaurant combines elegant colonial style and traditional island design with warm mahogany furniture reflecting the glow of the open fire. On warmer nights, guests are encouraged to dine al fresco on the terrace under the equatorial stars. The wine cellar reflects the eclectic nature of the menu and includes a wide range of some of South America's best wines.
How many points does it cost to sleep in this paradise
Contrary to what you might think, the hotel is not expensive at all, considering the type of facility and where it is located. Cash reservations start at about 300$ per night.
More complicated, and perhaps not even that convenient, is booking with points. It starts at 80k points per night for a standard room and goes up well over 200k points per night for villa accommodation. Personally if the cost is around 300/350$ per night I recommend paying cash, with the same amount of points required in this facility, in fact, you can stay at the brand new resort in the Maldives That costs over 1300$ per night.
