It's time to plan a vacation to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador if you've ever wanted to visit one of the planet's most unique ecosystems, search for Darwin's fabled eponymous finches, or get up up and personal with a sluggish but (possibly) kind sea lion.
With Hilton opening the first points hotel in one of the most biodiverse places in the world, guests can now finally travel there and stay there exclusively on points and miles.
Renovations
The Royal Palm Galapagos, a 21-room eco-friendly boutique hotel, will be transformed into a Curio Collection by Hilton resort, Hilton said earlier this year.
Now that the renovation has been finished, the Hilton hotel is open to visitors, including Hilton Honors members wishing to use their points to book a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
A few elements of the hotel, including the lobby, guest rooms, gym, and eating areas, underwent improvements throughout the conversion process.
By the end of the year, a brand-new spa is anticipated to open, and in 2023, a renovated pool.
Even while the upgrades are fantastic, it's what the hotel, which first opened in 2000, was already doing that would entice travelers to South America.
It's also the reason Hilton wanted to join in on the Galapagos adventure.
Wonderland of nature
Let's begin with the location first.
The hotel is located on Santa Cruz, an island, in the Galapagos.
It is simple to get there because there are direct flights to Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport (GPS) on Baltra from Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) in Quito and José Joaqun de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil.
The approximately 400-acre estate hidden away in the Miconia Highland forest next to Galapagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located there. From there, traveling to Santa Cruz takes taking a water taxi or bus, but it's all worth it when you get there.
Unbelievably, the hotel is situated between two dormant cinder cone volcanoes in a valley.
If that's not enough, the region also offers seven more geologically interesting sites, including craters and lava tunnels.
Sustainability and luxury
Regarding the hotel itself, visitors ought to arrive anticipating a singular encounter that represents the pinnacle of ecotourism and first-rate service.
The hotel's 21 casitas and villas offer a variety of lodging options that guests can reserve.
Many of them have a wet room or indoor Jacuzzi as well as a front porch or terrace that looks out onto the gardens.
Booking a larger Super Villa or even the two-bedroom Prince of Wales Super Villa, which includes an open fireplace and a private garden and was originally used by Prince Charles and Camilla, would provide a more opulent experience.
Cash rates for a king or double queen room appear to range from $255 a night up to $350 and higher, according to the hotel's flexible booking calendar, however most nights appear to be closer to $285.
The first night of a Standard Room Award costs 80,000 points.
Villas start at $352 or 138,000 points per night if you need more room, while the Prince of Wales Villa costs $687 per night or 268,000 points.
Unforgettable occasions
Outside of their rooms, visitors can enjoy the property's many amenities, such as lounging by the soon-to-be-completed pool, working out in the gym, or booking a treatment at the spa (later this year).
For dining, make sure to reserve the "extra immersive dining experience" at the exclusive fine dining restaurant housed inside one of the property's lava tunnels.
The experience mixes a tasting menu inspired by regional cuisine and ingredients with a "glimpse of the enormous forces that produced the archipelago."
Above ground at the hotel, the 50-seat Royal Palm Restaurant offers Galapaguenian cuisine in addition to various world cuisines (and under the stars when the weather is right).
Although the hotel is genuinely great, the real pull to this location is what may be found in nature, and the hotel is there to support that.
Visitors can reserve specialized tours that let them enjoy the best of the Galapagos by land and sea.
The schedules allow for self-guided tours along with boat trips to see animals including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, giant tortoises, and sea iguanas.
Other program options include guided tours, all-inclusive excursions, and more.
Look outside the boundaries
Other nearby activities include a bike ride to the Tortoise Ranch to see a Galapagos giant tortoise, many of which can be arranged by the hotel.
In addition, visitors can snorkel through "volcanic caverns filled with warm, crystal-clear, emerald water," kayak around the coastline where boats are allowed, surf, and visit Charles Darwin Research Station, an organization devoted to conserving the island's biodiversity and natural beauty.
Environmental tactics
Protecting the aforementioned natural beauties and biodiversity is a top priority for Hilton and Royal Palm.
The hotel is the sole establishment with a replanting program for Miconia and the rare Scalesia trees found on the islands, as well as a program for collecting rainwater.
In fact, a farm on-site produces fresh, sustainable vegetables for the hotel's restaurants while the hotel's water reduction system gathers and recycles rainfall and about 90% of its residues.
The hotel also complies with Travel with Purpose, Hilton's "global environmental, social, and governance plan," which seeks to increase the brand's investment in social impact by 2030 and reduce its environmental footprint by half globally.
The Hilton Effect Foundation, the company's charitable arm, is working with regional organizations on projects to safeguard indigenous fish species in Ecuador as well as to feed and safeguard the critically endangered Floreana tortoise.
Take a vacation
Through December 31, the hotel is offering a special package called the Live Life sabbatical experience that allows guests to stay for 30 days to "reconnect with nature and discover the wonders of the Galapagos on a uniquely immersive journey." This is for people who really, really want to lean into the beauty of the island.
During their stay, visitors can select one weekly activity that will help them feel more connected to the island, such as snorkelling at Las Grietas or touring several natural reserves.
For an additional $25,000, guests receive a useful welcome gift, such as a backpack or reusable water bottle, daily food and drink credits, use of bicycles for transportation, a meal at the lava tunnel restaurant, a yoga mat and meditation pillow, and a donation made in their honor to a nearby charity or organization.
Bucket list for points and miles
A journey to the Galapagos has been a lifelong dream for many people.
Now that we can finally book a stay using Hilton Honors points, that fantasy is a little bit closer for those of us who chase points and miles.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is presently offering the chance to earn 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points once you spend $1,000 on purchases with the card during the first three months of membership if you still need some points to complete this amazing adventure.
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