Hotel Orca
Hotel Orca is situated exactly opposite playa D'Oro, home to a clan of sea-lions that spend their days lazing in the sand or clambering over the scraggy volcanic rocks that sit on the beach. In fact it's not unusual to find one of these lazy lions cheekily resting on the steps of the restaurant as you enter for food. Located in a tranquil setting with swaying coconut trees blowing gently in the breeze out front, this place needs hardly a word whispered to sell itself. The hotel deals mainly with package tours but being home to twenty-one rooms, there is always the chance of an available vacancy. Most of the rooms are situated around a big central courtyard that's filled with large palm trees, pink hibiscus bushes and shells stuffed with small plants. Hammocks hang from large leafy trees, as do buoys and bananas, and a selection of cactuses of all sizes can be found sat around in various pots. A tide of Spanish music surges softly from some central speakers and makes for an extremely peaceful atmosphere. The owners are very friendly and welcoming and there is a very down to earth atmosphere. Upstairs is a large brightly painted veranda that looks out onto the bay. Here you can relax on comfortable loungers and watch the fantastic sunsets that spread across the bay, or at night you can lie and admire the star lit sky.
Accommodation here is decent and all places have televisions, air-con, fridges and hot water. Bathrooms are good sized and reasonably clean and most of the bedding in bright and fresh looking. Some have cute lamps with a base of iguanas or turtles and the ubiquitous pictures of Galapagos wildlife adorn most of the walls. There is no extra cost for a sea-view room; you just have to be lucky to get one of these!
At night, the restaurant at the front of the building is lit up prettily and exudes cosiness. There's an elevated area with comfortable straw sofas and rocking chairs where guests are invited to watch DVDs of the Galapagos Islands or can sit and read on the available books. Off to the right is yet another chill out area with modern comfy seats in orange and black where you can relax and order drinks from the bar.
Although you can choose to drink here at any time during the week, meals are normally ordered and paid for in advance as part of a package tour. If you would like to eat here, you need to order food one day in advance. Normally there is a set menu for $6, which includes a soup, a main meal of rice with chicken, fish or meat, a drink and something small such as a cake or a piece of fruit. You can also order lobster and wine for $13.
Whether you come to stay for a few days or just one night for beers at the bar, this down to earth, laid back place in it's tranquil surroundings comes highly recommended.
| ROOMS | ||
| Single | Double | Triple |
| $. 30 | $. 49 | $. 61 |
Prices in US dollar and do not include 22% tax.
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