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Hotel Solymar is eager to welcome you to the islands! Our two towers, Solymar and Isla Sol, are centrally located in Puerto Ayora’s mainstreet. They are only 10 feet apart from each other, with the same services! We have direct access to the ocean, a pool, hot tub, a chill out zone and a restaurant area. Our rooms are fully equipped with flat screen TVs, air conditioning, hot water, balconies and a comfortable bed arrangement. All our prices include a buffet-like breakfast featuring international and national dishes. The staff is ready to handle your requests in Spanish, English and Hebrew. With 17 rooms in Solymar, and 14 rooms in IslaSol, we are ready to house big groups! Categories like Sea View are only available in the Solymar Tower, whereas Interior View and Exterior View are available in Isla Sol. Hotel Solymar is one of the very first hotels that were built on the islands, in 1960, when Jimmy Perez created the first Galapagueño-owned hotel. Drop a comment below!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Marina View
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Av. Charles Darwin and Thomas de Berlanga, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Hotel Solymar
4 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Nothing but good things to say about this place!! It’s so nice that there is tradition and history still left in this world. This hotel belonged to the current owners father, whom my parents met on a trip almost 30 years ago. The place has been expanded since then, but it was nice to know that my father once sat in the same space. (He passed 11 years ago). This is a part of the world that is still fairly un-damaged by mankind. There wasn’t one time that I was at the pool, jacuzzi or outdoor dining area where there wasn’t an iguana, pelican, sea lion or blue footed booby present. Wendy is the “resident” sea lion. She loves to sleep on the lounge chairs and swim in the pool with the guests. I have such great pictures and videos of her and all the little creatures that call Hotel Solymar home. ❤️ Another great attribute is that the hotel is SO colorful!! It makes for great Instagram/Facebook photos. The employees and service is great here. If you have any requests, don’t be afraid to ask. I spoke to another guest that had bought a huge lobster from a fisherman around the corner and the hotel agreed to prepare it for them with a side dish for a nominal fee. You don’t get this kind of service in most places around the world. If you’re deciding between a place to go and a place to stay…just book it. You will have no regrets.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Central location on the main tourist street, in the town amidst restaurants and shops, close to the pier,walking distance. it is waterfront, the rooms are spacious and nice, balcony is nice; bathroom somewhat dated, could be better. It has a swimming pool and jacuzzi; unfortunately, as the jacuzzi requires reservation and we arrived in the late afternoon, by which point it was all booked, we could not use it - it was disappointing as we came from a tiring, wet and chilly ferry ride and were really hoping to warm up (they should send a message when guests are booking the hotel to inform them of this, so that they can book it ahead of time). breakfast was average; timing from 6:30-8; while it is good that they have early time for the people that have day tours or other activities, but to end at 8 am!! - if one was tired and wanted to rest during their vacation ( 8 am is not an unreasonable time to sleep in, after all), then they miss breakfast. checkout is 10 am, also a bit on the early side.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The jacuzzi requires prior reservation, so ask the hotel to reserve well ahead of time. Checkout...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Propietario at Hotel Solymar
Responded Nov 21, 2022
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments, they are very valuable to us. Our location in front of the sea and close to tourist attractions is fabulous. We are working to improve every detail. Our breakfast schedule has been extended for the convenience of all our guests. We would be very pleased to welcome you next time at the hotel. Best regards, Hotel Solymar
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We had a really comfortable room with a balcony overlooking the pool and the sea. Andrea on the front desk was welcoming and helpful, arranging a transfer to Isabela island and a taxi to the canal when we left for the airport. Breakfast was plentiful and included eggs. The food in the restaurant was very good too. Breakfast was served from 6.30 and take away boxes were available when we had an early start. The pool area was shared with a bunch of iguanas and the sea lion noted by other reviewers.
One reservation: on several occasions we struggled to get hot water in the shower and had to get the front desk to restart the water heater.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were very excited about our stay on Santa Cruz. Our room (#101) was a nice location at the end of the hall. After some minor issues with the A/C we thought things were perfect... then we walked in bare feet on the room’s tile floor. I looked at the bottom of my feet right after my shower and it looked like I had been walking outside on dirt. A couple of swipes with a wet nap confirmed our fear; the beige tile was masking a filthy floor. When we brought this to the attention of the front desk, they politely apologized but did not offer to clean the room. We spent the remainder of our one night stay wearing sandals straight from the bed or shower.
Given the current coronavirus protocols, Hotel Solymar’s lack of response to a basic sanitation concern is inexcusable.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelSolymar, Director General at Hotel Solymar
Responded Apr 24, 2020
Dear Balmy_2_Go, It´so grateful to receive your sincere comment and we thank you also for visiting us. We are appologize for the inconvience, honestly it hurts that we haven´t been able to resolve this issue in time. Hope everything is doing well for you. Warmest wishes, Wendy LANDAY
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The view from our room was of a sea lion reclining on a chaise lounge, the swimming pool, and the bay beyond. Beautiful room, wonderful staff. We had a most enjoyable stay and would love to return. The desk clerk was especially helpful when we had a time problem regarding our tour schedule. We appreciated the water bottle and clean, cool drinking water always available in the lobby. The breakfasts were a large assortment of hot and cold choices and a great way to start the day.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â View of the bay and the pool area would be my choice.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelSolymar, Director General at Hotel Solymar
Responded Apr 24, 2020
Dear ¨2016newlyretired¨, Thank you for your comments, but specially for give us the privilege to attend you at the Solymar Hotel Warmest wishes, Wendy LANDAY
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A nice hotel with one of the best locations in Puerto Ayora. From rooms with sea views and sunny balcony, you have an overview of the swimming pool and parts of the port of Puerto Ayora. Just outside the reception is the main street Ave Charles Darwin with many shops, bars and restaurants. Short distance to the pier and all boat trips to other islands. Simple breakfast, which the hotel should do better
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Date of stay: April 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Rooms with sea views and balcony are the best
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Propietario at Hotel Solymar
Responded Apr 28, 2022
Dear guest, thank you for your important comment. One of the most relevant strengths of the hotel is its location in the tourist heart of Puerto Ayora, close to important tourist attractions and in front of the sea. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next trip to the Enchanted Islands. Best regards, Pamela Moreira.
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We stayed 4 nights. We had a view of the Marina. On our first day while we were waiting for our room to be ready, we were entertained by diving blue footed Boobies and Pelicans.we were also greeted by iguanas passing by. The manager and his team were very informative. He made sure they had gluten-free options for the GF members of our group. The rooms were clean and comfortable. THE sealion shenanigans was fun to watch I would highly recommend Solymar for your next trip to Santa Cruz Galapagos
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Propietario at Hotel Solymar
Responded Oct 16, 2023
Hello Joanne, It is great knowing you enjoyed your stay at the hotel! We are glad our little wild guests, like Wendy the Sealion, decided to put on a show for you while we made sure your room was ready. We are also pleased to know our Gluten Free options were of your liking. Thanks for letting us know about these restrictions! Hope you had a safe trip back and we thank you for your comment. Kindest regards, Hotel Solymar.
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We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Solymar. At check-in we were greeted with fresh juice and a warm washcloth to freshen up after travel. The staff was extremely accomodating throughout our stay. They helped us find local adventures and excursion packages. The daily breakfast was good and a nice way to begin our days. The rooms were clean, air-conditioned and comfortable. The hotel was walking distance to everything.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelSolymar, Director General at Hotel Solymar
Responded Apr 24, 2020
Dear ¨JenJ6947EQ¨, It so grateful to read your sincere comment and we thank you also for visiting us. Best wishes, Wendy LANDAY
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I booked a room at Solymar after getting stranded in the Galapagos Island during the corona virus crisis. The Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency and cancelled all commercial flights for 3 weeks. The hotel offered me a reduced rate if I purchased on a weekly basis. During my stay, the service was good. Fortunately, I was able to take an emergency rescue flight after 4 days, for which I had to leave the hotel at 4am. Once out of Galapagos, I contacted the hotel to update them of my situation and check out, but they immediately rejected my request for a refund of the remaining 3 days. Most airlines and hotels are being flexible with reservations and cancelations during the crisis and it was very unethical for them not to do so.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelSolymar, Director General at Hotel Solymar
Responded Apr 26, 2020
Dear ¨Leonidas648¨, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assit you in the Solymar Hotel. We appologize for the inconvience. As we had commented on a previous occasion by mail, we´re doing our best to attend each case with all the flexibility it requires, however we can not make a refund for the reason we explain you in the last mail. Hope everything is doing well for you. Warmest wishes,
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We booked this extremely last minute when we were already on the island and needed a hotel for the night. For the value I’d say it was pretty overpriced—while the rooms are quite clean, they are very dated (bathrooms and such) BUT I was told this is the last hotel that is exclusively run by Galapagonian owners (I think third generation if I remember correctly), so for that I would book again. It is also extremely well located steps away from all the shops and restaurants.
However the #1 reason to book this hotel is for WENDY THE RESIDENT SEA LION!!! If you have kids, I feel they would get a kick out of waking up and seeing Wendy right outside their window. She lives there and freely hops from the lawn chairs in to the pool and then in to the sea. This hotel is the most oceanfront hotel I have ever seen, and that is saying a lot growing up in Hawaii! It’s a gem. We didn’t appreciate that the included breakfast ended at 8am (!?), so we skipped that, but if you are getting up early for an excursion it will work perfectly. One night was enough but we are sure glad we stayed here!! Gracias SolyMar!
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Dueño at Hotel Solymar
Responded Jul 5, 2023
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments, they are very valuable to us. Regards, Hotel Solymar Galapagos
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Dear, a thousand apologies, I hope that at some point you have received a response, otherwise for future bookings you can contact us through our whatsapp at 0980827453
I would not think so. However, my travel agency paid the hotel fee in advance, so I cannot be certain. I would encourage you to call Hotel Solymar directly.
Our room did not face the ocean but the lagoon behind the hotel. We had windows but no balcony. Not sure what type it was called. I think all rooms facing the ocean had balconies. ( also facing pool as some have mentioned)
There are more places to choose from in the Puerto Ayora area.
PRICE RANGE
$267 - $297 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
solymar hotel puerto ayora
LOCATION
EcuadorGalapagos IslandsSanta CruzPuerto Ayora
NUMBER OF ROOMS
31
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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