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Royal Palm Hotel

Where? On Santa Cruz, one of 13 volcanic islands that make up the Galapagos Islands.

Ehhmmm ... the Galapagos are in the Pacific Ocean, right? Straddling the Equator, almost 1,000km west of Ecuador, to be precise.

Remote then? Absolutely, and like many of these out-of-the-way places, the islands are home to a wide - and frequently unique - variety of bird, animal and plant species. Of the 22 species of reptiles, 20 are endemic to the islands.

Sounds like a naturalist's paradise? Teeming with marine iguanas (below), giant tortoises and sea lions, the Galapagos are a national park and a World Heritage site.

So hotels are few and far between? Indeed. The Royal Palm, which opened earlier this year, is the islands' first high-end hostelry, offering visitors a luxury alternative to bunking down on a boat.

Isn't building work a threat to the environment? The Royal Palm's eco-friendly credentials include energy and water conservation, and the use of local materials.

What about the wow factor? Set within 200 hectares of tropical forest, the hotel has 18 differently decorated studios and suites - all with private jacuzzis, Internet access and satellite TV. The suites have private gardens and saunas, and there's also a spa, gym business centre, pool and tennis courts.

Not to mention the wildlife tours. Tailor-made trips include sailing in Tortuga Bay to watch the baby sharks and rays, and horse-riding in the lush sub-tropical highlands. Guests can also dive, sail, windsurf and kayak off pristine, Bahamian-style beaches.

Anything else we should know? Despite the hotel's ultra-modern amenities, Charles Darwin's description of the Galapagos as 'islands lost in time' still rings true. This place is quite magical.

Verandah Studio from US$310 (HK$2,418); Presidential Suite from US$420. Royal Palm Hotel, KM, 18 Via Baltra, Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador, South America. Tel: [593] 552 7409; www.millenniumhotels.com

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