I didn't mind at all, but there are many little friends on the property and in some cases in the rooms (geckos, frogs, etc). They were not harmful and did not cause any issues.

Semilla Verde feels like home away from home. Cattya and the staff are extremely helpful and accommodating. Although it is 20 min away from the town center, they called a taxi for us every day and made sure we had everything we needed for our activities around the island. The property is so peaceful and lovely!

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing to dislike

If, at the end of your holiday in the Galapagos, you want one or two days of relaxation before flying out from Santa Cruz/Baltra Island, I would heartedly recommend this wonderful hotel up in the highlands of the island. Not only does it have giant tortoises ambling through its extensive gardens and grounds, but it is also a relaxing quiet place to stay, enjoy an alternative ecological environment and prepare for the next leg of your trip into Ecuador or return home. Katia, the hotel manager, was an excellent hostess, and all the staff were friendly and helpful. We ate dinner and breakfast here and enjoyed both immensely. As the hotel sits within a coffee plantation, the coffee is very 'local'. The small swimming pool was pleasant on a very hot afternoon.

Stayed in May 2024

Cattya was so good at anticipating needs, every time I turned around she was already handing me something I might want. Meals were delicious and the property is well-versed in accommodating many different dietary needs and have multiple types of meals perfected from seafood to vegan to gluten free. There were always fresh fruit juices, tea, local coffee, and homemade desserts from bread pudding to refreshing sorbet, and one night a birthday cake for a guest! We enjoyed finches on our top floor room roof and balcony and enjoyed walks on the property to see tortoises lead by the resident dog. It was so nice to return to the cool highlands after a hot afternoon in town. Also, Cattya always gave strict instructions to taxi drivers so the service felt more like a personal driver and she had no shortage of available plans for day trips, shopping, and restaurants if you took a meal in town.

Stayed in May 2024

But far from main town area so keep in mind if planning to spend time there.

Beautiful location that really lets you disconnect and enjoy time in nature, surrounded by the local residents!

Stayed in April 2024

Need to get a 10-15 min taxi down to the town ($7 each way)

Staff were so helpful and friendly Great breakfasts in the morning Loads of giant tortoises roaming the property outside the rooms So quiet and peaceful

Stayed in November 2023

I loved every minute of this hotel... walking around the grounds, seeing turtles in their natural habitat, relaxing on my balcony in a hammock with the beauty of nature, and eating dinner by candlelight.

Stayed in September 2023

Just as it's a wonderful place to get away, it is remote and finding a cab isn't easy! The hotel offers breakfast, lunch and dinner (reservations required and a little pricy but good) but finding a nearby restaurant or store was not going to happen.

It was a green lush hide away with winding paths to follow and tortoises to be spotted on all sides. I spent my birthday day and night here and it was a magical night sleeping in the cloud covered tree tops with turtles grazing 20 feet away. It's a beautiful place to get away.

Stayed in September 2023

Our room was very noisy as the Aircon compressor for our room and the room above were fixed to our outside wall. The first night was quiet and peaceful as we didn’t put the Aircon on, and nobody was in the room above. The next day and night it was really noisy as new guests had arrived. It came on for 3 minutes, then off for 6 minutes all night long.

Cattya was really friendly and helpful as was all her staff.

Stayed in July 2023

Very nice place to stay and relax.

Stayed in April 2023

we only got to stay one night

Lush, beautiful, tortoises, a great dog and cat

Stayed in April 2023

quiet, garden setting, very helpfull staff

Stayed in February 2023

I liked everything

Absolutely everything. I liked having access to tea and coffee facilities too. Morning tea in bed :) The room, location, the giant tortoises, the staff and the exceptional cooking.

Stayed in February 2023

There was nothing in our view that could be improved.

As long as you don't want to walk to the beach (it's in the Santa Cruz Highlands), Semilla Verde is THE place to stay. It is a joy! Beautiful property, wonderful rooms with spectacular views, huge grounds with spectacular walks and giant turtles for ... Galapagos! The grounds are being returned to native bush and the giant tortoises - more than 70 of them actually on the property - seem to love it. A particularly warm welcome from Cattya and we were soooo well looked after by Cattya and her staff. I'd recommend dining in.

Stayed in January 2023

It can be a bit annoying being 20-min cab ride from town, but that's the tradeoff to being in the highlands and having giant tortoises roaming all around the property. The staff helps negate this tradeoff in literally every way possible to make it convenient getting to town - we would tell them the night before when we wanted to leave, and there was always a taxi waiting outside 10 mins before our requested time (yes, that fantastic!)

Semilla exceeded every one of our expectations. And we have high expectations! My mom and I were traveling together for a 60th birthday trip. I could not have selected a better hotel - it truly is an experience. Beyond the amazing meals (breakfast is included), you could spend a half-day just roaming the property's trails looking at the tortoises. Waking up every morning to the birds lightly chirping was refreshing and truly relaxing. The hotel is in the middle of the highlands - not close to town - so it was truly an escape. We didn't feel the need to visit El Chato, because we felt the proximity and exclusivity to the tortoises would likely not be beat. The staff - particularly Cattya - was next level. I have never been to such a place where someone is so invested in my stay and experience. Every day she would ask about our upcoming day, the experience we had before, and make personalized suggestions. She went out of her way to ensure we had a fantastic stay, and made all of our pain points non-existent. It was truly the little things she did that show where the place shines - she gave us a mini tour and welcome drinks on arrival (we were late; our plane was delayed; she adjusted meal schedules for us); she called taxis for us every day; she helped connect us with a high-quality tour operator when our original tour fell through; she packed a morning breakfast bag on our last day because we were leaving super early; she provided *personalized* recommendations of restaurants and tours based on getting to know our interests....the list could go on. The reviews for this place don't lie (and I read all the reviews before coming). Book it. You won't be disappointed.

Stayed in January 2023

Spotlessly clean. Beautifully furnished. Generous towels and shampoo and conditioner after a week of traveling! Warm and friendly staff. Excellent food

Stayed in January 2023

the peaceful highland location . the views , nature trail with tortoises roaming and the delicious breakfast

Stayed in November 2022

Great breakfast and dinner.

Stayed in September 2022

it is perfect for relaxing, but it is isolated and you’d have to take a taxi to go everywhere else

it is an amazing guesthouse in a lush area with turtles around the room was big and very nice the owner is very kind great food!

Stayed in August 2022

Excellent breakfast. Beautiful room. Professional and nice staff. Amazing garden.

Stayed in July 2022

nothing

very friendly and helpful staff. They went above and beyond in every way. I forgot my phone charger when we checked out and the hotel manager sent a cab after me to get it back to me.

Stayed in June 2022

No problems. Always great

Very scenic. Excellent manager. Great food

Stayed in May 2022

This place is relaxing, romantic and beautiful. I remember not wanting to leave the peace and serenity of this place whilst there was so much to explore around Santa Cruz. Here the staff is family, the food is delicious, the trails take you deep into Galapagos natural history and there are wild tortoise’s as well as birds and pristine nature around every corner. Best stay of our honeymoon! Thank you Katrien and Cattya!

Stayed in May 2022

We liked everything and planned our stay to be a bit more isolated in that part of the island. But you will need to call a taxi to go anywhere else, since it's a bit far from the coast.

Amazing atmosphere, excelent service and lovely turtles! We even had one "visiting" us in our balcony.

Stayed in April 2022

This is one of the best places we've ever been. The hotel is located in the middle of the island (takes 15min by taxi from the seaport) and on the territory you can find lots of wild tortoises. Big, comfortable, quiet and clean room with a beautiful view. Very kind and delightful host that helped us a lot! Delicious breakfast and dinner. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone. We spent an amazing and unforgettable time.

Stayed in April 2022