Casa del Lago

Location:
Moises Brito and Juan Montalvo
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

Hotel

V!VA User‘s Description

The Casa del Lago is part of an effort by owner Elena Albarado to offer tourists alternatives that emphasize social and cultural responsibility. Suites are rented on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.  Both housing units have fully-stocked kitchen units and stylish architectural design and furnishings. Recycled glass fragments in window frames play with incoming light; hand-painted tiles add flair to showers and staircases; and wild fabrics give the walls, ceilings, and beds a spicy character. The residence is adjacent to the Casa del Lago Cafe Cultural and looks out on the spectacular Laguna Las Ninfas. This is a comfortable and affordable option for travelers looking to venture outside the norm. The owner can also arrange custom-designed tours for student groups and other parties interested in educational tourism.  Tours visit local hot-spots, farms, and residences and generate proceeds that directly benefit Santa Cruz residents.

Room Prices:
Lower:$90
Higher:$140
Price Description:There is a small suite, located in the owner´s house but with a private entrance. The price for one or two people staying here is $90 plus tax. There is also a large suite, which has newly installed air conditioning, that goes for $110 plus tax for one or two people or $140 plus tax for three or four people. The suites are fully furnished with hot water, private bathroom, TV and cable and wireless internet. Some rooms have a private patio. A vegetarian breakfast is included. Other meals range in price from $3 - $10.

Contact Information:
Phone: 593-098-51-40-15 / 593-09-971-4647
E-mail: casadellagolodging(at)remove-this.hotmail.com
URL: www.galapagoscultural.com

Traveler Reviews of Casa del Lago

the best for my packet

Rating: 100%

i dident like the mosquitos but of course is not their fault, after that it is a great place , clean and very good price for the suites , almost in all town you can find hotels that ofert to you only the bedroom adn bathroom with airconditioner, tv, and that is it for the same price that casa del lago ofert the diference is you get here all furnish suites incredible ..go for it is easy to find this place write to galapagoscultural@hotmail.com. they can help you also with transfer inn and outs from the airport to the hotel if you want........ahhhh they have also wire internet includes in the price , the pplace is close to a beautiful lake...go for it

By V!VA User from SUIZA, May 09, 2008

very good price

Rating: 100%

the suites are beautifull , you dont need luxuries here specially en Galapagos , and this place is rustic, clean, beautiful decoration, close to a lake,great coffee from galapagos, this people helps you to make your tours inside the island , owner was a tour guide here in the islands so she knows exactly what she is talking about , she speak english, and with prior time she can helps you to plane all yor package tha was my case and i was so happy to find them .......i recommend you this place for the exelent price too, just in case i wrote to galapagoscultural@hotmail.com and they answer you very fast.

By V!VA User from Germany, Apr 27, 2008

Nice but too pricey

Rating: 25%

A lovely place, beautifully furnished. But it's way too much money and the owner has raised the price 30% as of Januuary, 2008. In fact, she tried to charge us the new price even though she had quoted the old one in our e-mail correspondence. Also, it is noisy given its location. But the food is great. I'd recommend staying somewhere else but stopping by for breakfast or lunch.

By Marlene from Vancouver, Canada, Feb 20, 2008

great place

Rating: 100%

I really liked the price .($90 plus tax)for the small suite is not expensive compare with other hotels in the same area in casa del Lago you can get all furnished and beautiful suite or apartament for the same price that any other hotel can ofert you .In this place you can save some money cooking what ever you want , the kitchen has everything refrigerator, stove, blander etc.
Is very clean and has a beautiful decoration , the nowner Elena speaks a very good english and she is very helpfull in everything this means she can help you in make your tours,advice how much to pay, where to go,how to go etc etc, she has a great experience because she use to be a tour guide in Galápagos ,and if you are vegetarian in hers coffee place Luz prepares a delicious green salads,vegetables soups, bagles and the best for me galapagos filter cofe, I higly recommend Casita del Lago. Thanks Elena and Luz for a wonderful time.

By V!VA User from INGLAND, Jan 19, 2008

Loved the Galapagos

Rating: 75%

The two suites in this hotel are very artsy and comfortable. The hotel is next to a path which leads to a nice inlet called Ninfas Lake. The kitchens are well equipped: both suites have coffee pots, refrigerators, utensils, spices, a stove, and 5 gallons of drinking water. It is next to a coffee shop (Café Cultural) and the same lady, Elena, runs both. Elena speaks very good English and helped us arrange a tour into the Santa Cruz highlands. There were a few other times we needed things that she acted as if it were quite a hassle to help us. I even bought more toilet paper in town because I didn't want to bother her. We arrived on a Sunday when the coffee shop was closed, and there was no one to check us in. After about 10 minutes of waiting outside, the owner arrived and gave us the key and showed us around. Evidently another guest had decided to stay an extra night, so we spent our first evening in one suite, then we were switched to the other. One suite is two levels, and a bit larger, but the windows do not all have screens. The smaller suite is one level, all the windows have screens, and it has a nice, private porch. There is a mosquito net for the beds in both rooms. The music from the coffee shop can be quite loud in the evenings. Though it is in a quieter part of town, we sere still awakened more than once by very loud arguing outside at all hours of the morning. In all, it is a great place to stay but there are a few detractors in what could be the best place on Santa Cruz.

By V!VA User from California, Jan 15, 2008

Substandard

Rating: 25%

Poor quality, expensive, dangerous electrical outlets.

By V!VA User from UK, Dec 10, 2007

Excellent

Rating: 100%

Excellent for a small family looking for a comfortable place to enjoy Galapagos for a few days. Little bit expensive but you rent a house and you can save on food by cooking yourself.

By V!VA User from France, Oct 11, 2007

Great place to stay

Rating: 100%

We loved our suite at Casa Del Lago. It was much more personal and private than staying at a hotel. It is in a central location and walking distance from town. Elena was a fantastic hostess and booked all of our day trips for us beforehand. Everything went very smoothly with the tour buses picking us up at our room. The food and coffee are also very good. A swim in the lagoon nearby felt great after a long day in the sun. I would highly recommend Casa Del Lago.

By V!VA User from Elizabeth Colorado USA, Sep 19, 2007

tqmm

Rating: 100%

lo mejor que a podido pasarme


karla

By V!VA User from quito, Aug 01, 2007

me gusta

Rating: 100%

es un lindo lugar donde eleni canta con su linda voz, enrique con sus delisiosos helados es un lugar donde me gusta porque yo estuve hay 3 veces eleni me llevo a todas parte tambien me gunsto malandrin su lindo gatito con su lindo corbatin eleni y enrique esperenme que ya voy
con muchisimo cariño

karla velasco (CAMILA)

By karla from QUITO, Jul 04, 2007

great

Rating: 100%

great

By V!VA User from here, May 20, 2007

Gracias

Rating: 100%

Nuestra Luna de Miel, lo pasamos de maravilla
Gracias, por haber construido un lugar tan lindo, es como para gente como nosotros

By V!VA User from Colombia, May 15, 2007

Gracias Casa del Lago

Rating: 100%

Somos Españoles y decidimos ir a Galàpagos porque es unos de los Parques mejor cuidados creo yo en el Mundo, un poco caro pero si hay razones para que esto suceda aqui de todas maneras no es un gasto sino una inversión ....y más inversión es cuando usted contacta a LA CASA DEL LAGO LODGING HOUSE en Santa Cruz aqui usted encuentra toda la información sobre a donde ir, cuanto pagar, que hacer etc.etc. esta info por lo general deberian dar la agencias pero lamentablemente en las agencias ponen a trabajar a gente que no sabe. Gracias a la gente de este bello sitio que ha hecho de nuestras vacaciones las mejores hasta aqui. Este suitio de alojamiento es de lo más simple pero bellamente y artisticamente decorado con materiales del medio, muy limpio,y cranme no es caro comparado con otros lugares muy cerca de Casa del Lago,este sitio tiene una cafeteria con el mismo estilo donde sirven desayunos vegetarianos y comida rápida vegetariana también estan ubicados muy cerca de una bella laguna......ah pregunten por los helados de Paila son únicos en el pueblo son hechos a mano y sin químicos.
Muchas gracias a Enrique y Elena quienes estuvieron pendientes de todo cuanto necesitamos. SUGIERO SI VAN A GALAPAGOS ...comuniquense con galapagoscultural@hotmail.com ( personal) o www.galapagoscultural.com

By V!VA User from ESPAÑA, May 15, 2007

Recomendable

Rating: 100%

Pasamos de lo mejor, un lugar que no esperavamos en un lugar tan especial como Galapagos, creiamos que no habian muchos lugares como a Casa del Lago

By V!VA User from Chilenos, May 15, 2007

exelente

Rating: 100%

exelente

By V!VA User from Argentina, May 15, 2007

ok

Rating: 100%

ok

By V!VA User from Chile, May 12, 2007

I spent nine days here.

Rating: 100%

I liked everything about it. Elena was very helpful but was not in our way. She booked a couple of day trips for us that were perfect. When she cooked for us, it was delicious.

By David Bischoff from Oakland, CA, USA, May 07, 2007

Los Argentinos

Rating: 100%

Exelente nos gusto mucho y seguro regresaremos, ademas lo recomendaremos. Saludos Paulina y Roberto

By V!VA User from argentina, Apr 25, 2007

At home in the Galapagos!

Rating: 100%

Everything about Casa del Lago was wonderful, including the creatively decorated apartment, surrounding garden, and our hosts, Elena, Enrique and Luce.

By V!VA User from Colorado, USA, Apr 13, 2007

Casa Del Lago

Rating: 100%

A quirky, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere provides a welcome change from impersonal hotels. Here you are self contained with space to enjoy the garden from the privacy of your own terrace. Elena and Enrique are wonderful hosts providing as much or as little as you wish. Elena will organise all your tours and even will accompany her guests to the Saturday morning market to shop for their stay. They are tallented musicians, run a fascinating vegeterian restaurant next door and organise many of the cultural activities for Santa Cruz. Loved my stay there. Muchas gracias Elena y Enrique.

By Barb Hagger from Austaralia, Apr 03, 2007

recomendable

Rating: 100%

es lomejor en Galapagos, Puerto Ayora

By V!VA User, Feb 18, 2007

on time

Rating: 100%

¡¡¡¡¡ just on time¡¡¡¡. thanks live travel guide and lonly planet I got what i wanted. this beautiful lodging house LA CASA DEL LAGO . the owner speak ingles so is much easier for travelers like me who speak only ingles. Very good price for such a place... they have only two suites they call small suite good for one person or one couple and the big suite for one, one couple or a family with 4 family members, beside that they have a great coffee place with a nice view of the ninfas lake . This is the only place where you are going to have a filter coffee from Galapagos. I recommend you , I am going to help you more write to galapagoscultural @hotmail.com and you will get them.

By V!VA User from CANADA, Feb 18, 2007

Es una casa para nosotros

Rating: 100%

Creiamos que hibamos a tener un cuarto de hotel, pero sorpresa, teniamos una casa amoblada para nosotros, que bueno, y esta muy limpia, y tiene todo, solamente tenemos que comprar en el Market y listo, que buen gusto de Enrique y Elena

By V!VA User from Panama, Feb 18, 2007

the best choice

Rating: 100%

I dident like the mosquitos, but is the season.....LA CASA DEL LAGO is simply beautiful,clean and not expensive compare what the hotels are ofering, this places are all furnished I was surprice when i saw what we had for the price we pay usually in the hotels you have the bathroom and the bed-room , but here you have also a private outside terrace, with full equipment kitchen ...in general I recommend this place. Elena the owner speak ingles and she was a tour guide in the island so she also can help you to prepare your complet tour ..I can help you with hers email galapagoscultural@hotmail.com and she will answer inmediately, and she doesnt have espace in her lodg she will help you to find something else. I highly recommend this place

Paul & Shara
USA- FEbruary 15-2007

By V!VA User from NEW YORK-USA, Feb 18, 2007

quiet and comfortable

Rating: 100%

Just spent over a week here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Elena and Enrique were very helpful and considerate.The accommodation was very clean, comfortable and well designed and in a nice quiet location of Puerto Ayora.

By Margaret Nelmes from Canada, Feb 04, 2007

Best place in town

Rating: 100%

The rooms are clean, comfortable and very unique and come with a complete kitchen too. There's also two grocery stores within a five minute walk but the best breakfast in town is right at Casa Del Lago. Elena and Enrique are gracious hosts and an excellent source of information for things to do on the islands.

By V!VA User from Carlsbad, California, USA, Aug 31, 2006

exelent

Rating: 100%

exelent

By V!VA User from Aeron, Jul 29, 2006

es buenisimo

Rating: 100%

un lugar maravilloso en el paraiso como es Galapagos LA CVASA DEL LAGO ES RECOMENDABLE

By V!VA User from italia, Jul 15, 2006

¡...great place..¡

Rating: 0%

This is a beautiful place , clean and you fill like in home the designer of this place did a simple but a very confortable, energenitc,with a reciclying materials suites , I recommend you and believe me is not expensive because i was walking around the town looking for place were I can stay for 8 days and in most of the hotels you are paying for the room and the bathroom ...right..? but here LA CASA DEL LAGO is giving you all furnished suites ( hot water, privated bathroom, refrigerator, ....etc this is a good deal. they have a cafeteria too ,,,and this is also a great place try the HELADOS DE PAILA ( home-made ice cream) Thanks casa del Lago

By V!VA User from CANADA, Jun 18, 2006

beautifull place in the paradise

Rating: 100%

Hi everybody I am so happy to find this place and I for sure I reconmment who ever commes to Galapagos in Santa Cruz there is a Place call LA CASA DEL LAGO -Cultural Coffee is a lodgin house also they have beautifull suites all furnished, very confortable and very inexpensive compare with the hotels . You can tolk to Elena or Enrique they also ready to help you to decide what to do, how much to pay , etc and they dont charge you anything for their information and for their time. We were lucky to find this people ...La Casa del Lago made us very easy and beautifull vacations.

By V!VA User from AUSTRALIA, May 18, 2006

Que bien

Rating: 100%

Me cambie de un hotel para estar tranquilo, y poder prepararme mi propia comida, ademas por la tranquilidad Hernan Castro

By V!VA User from Argentina, Apr 04, 2006

En Galapagos, lo mejor

Rating: 100%

No pense encontrar un lugar como eñ que yo queria tener en mis sueñoa, me gusto mucho, y regresare el proximo año. Yo recomiendo se pongan en contacto con Elena o Enrique y reserven la suite, no se arepentiran, aho visiten la pagina www.galapagoscultural.com El frances

By V!VA User from francia, Mar 14, 2006

Wie zu Hause am "Ende der Welt".

Rating: 100%

Wir waren zum zweiten Mal bei Elena in der casa del Lago einquartiert. Das Apartment ist sehr gemütlich und die Architektur aller Gebäude verströmt durch seine Individualität eine besondere Wärme. Hier gibt es alles, was so ein Weltenbummler zu schätzen weiss z.B. eine internationale Bibliothek, Musik aus aller Welt, Internet und vor allem persönliche Unterstützung von Elena und Enrique, die für jedes Problemchen eine Lösung finden und die Geflogenheiten und die Geschichte der Inseln sehr gut kennen. Wer Glück hat kann Enrique bei der Eiszubereitung über die Schulter schauen und mal naschen oder Elenas wunderschöner Stimme lauschen, wenn sie den Mond am Ufer des Sees "Las Ninfas" besingt. Einfach unvergesslich.

By V!VA User from Familie Fiedler aus Zürich, Dec 04, 2005

Tranquilidad en un paraiso

Rating: 100%

estubimos con agrado en la Casa del Lago, un lugar que nos brindo tranquilidad, muy bonito, limpio, y sobre todo independiente es de recomendar a los turistas que viajan comprando su boleto aereo y quieren descubrir las Galapagos, es mejor viajar por cuenta propia, se puede comprar directamente los boletos aereos en Quito y tambien en Guayaquil Jorge Piedra

By V!VA User from Cuenca Azuay Ecuador, Nov 24, 2005

Exelente lugar

Rating: 100%

Llegar a Galápagos es importante en mi vida, es realmente marabilloso, las plantas y animales asi como los paisajes, es recomendable visitar las islas, y en Santa Cruz llegar a la Casa del Lago es un complemento, por la atencion y el lugar que concuerda con lo que es el patrimonio natural de la humanidad Mucga suerte a los dueños Ignacio Quebedo Salazar

By Paula Newton from Latacunga, Nov 21, 2005

agradable sorpresa

Rating: 100%

compre mi tiket aéreo, busque un lugar acogedor, me parecio y increible a pocos pasos disfrutar de kayac, tuve conseguir un buen programa de buceo a distancia de foto con tiburones, lobos marinos, peces exóticos, verdaderamente un paraíso con gente muy agradable.

By V!VA User from Riobamba Ecuador, Nov 17, 2005

exelente lugar

Rating: 100%

es un exelente lugar, es el unico en Puerto Ayora, es diferente en su construccion, se destaca por sus decorados, es muy original, me gusto mucho estar en la casa del lago, el cafe de galapagos es un rico cafe y tambien los helados hechos a mano en un recipinente de metal, muy originales, yo recomiendo que cuandoi visiten Puerto Ayora en Las Galapagos, no deben faltar en visitar este lugar, esta muy cerca del muelle principal, es facil llegar suerte y no se arrepentiran Luciano

By V!VA User from Italia, Nov 08, 2005

Helados de Paila unicos

Rating: 100%

Es increible como Enrique hace los helados en un recipiente de bronce, el mismo que le pone encima de un nido de hielo con sal de mar, y durante mucho tiempo dando la vueta y batiendo con una cuchara de madera consigue se congele el jugo de mora y de chocolate y el de maracuya, umm, salen cremosos y de pura fruta, fue la mejor golocina que he provado, increible, hasta ahora tengo la sensacion de esos helados hechos en casa del lago en galapagos, gracis por provar una delicia, lo mejor de mi paladar en el viaje a las islas Elias Sanchez de Mexico

By V!VA User from Mexico DF, Sep 16, 2005

Impresionante

Rating: 100%

Soy Argentina, y si quiero recomendar este sitio para aquellos que les gusta la simplicidad pero al mismo tiempo un estilo diferente y un fino gusto en la decoración, es una hermosa suite construída por la misma dueña, se descansa placidamente,los precios son muy cómodos además estan cerca de una laguna. Gracias Elena y Enrique por su esmerada atención ,y por su comida vegetariana tan difícil de encontrar en el pueblo. Los helados de paila hecho en casa son únicos Mucha suerte Mariela

By V!VA User from Argentina, Sep 12, 2005

great musician

Rating: 100%

I had a great.... great time in La casa del Lago. Beautiful suite, clean and simple but with a high teste of decoration. Thaks Elena for your music, you are a great artist. I recommend to everybody to stay in the suite of La casa del Lago, besides that they offer the best galàpagos filter coffe in town, the other thing the owner(Elena) speaks English...that helps a lot when your spanish is poor. Jeanina

By V!VA User from Canada, Sep 12, 2005

Exelente lugar

Rating: 100%

Encontre el lugar que necesitaba, tranquilo, apacible y como un escondite en medio de un paraiso, Galapagos. Recomindo a mis amigos puedan visitar o ponesece en contacto con La Casa del Lago en Galapagos, pase exelente con mi esposa y mi hija.

By V!VA User from Mexico, Sep 12, 2005

Steev Mcrau

Rating: 100%

exelente

By V!VA User from EEUU, Sep 04, 2005

service is very good

Rating: 100%

thanks for ever

By V!VA User, Aug 31, 2005

sleep well

Rating: 100%

After two days of traveling and finally get to Galàpagos the best that could hapened is the acommodation in LA CASA DEL LAGO. Thanks to the owners for such atention, very clean place,beautiful,peaceful location (close to the Ninfas Lake), and besides that all the help we received from Enrique and Elena about the tourist information, what to do..., where to go,.. how much to pay for the diferents services in town etc. We also enjoyed a lot eatting in their café-cultural that we recommend to everybody , if you are an artist ...this is the place, you will find a great taste decoration , music, pictures and the best is THE HOME MADE ICE CREAM that you will find only in this place. We Wish the best for the owners Pagie and Ronald

By V!VA User from New York-USA, Aug 24, 2005

Deseo felicitar a tan especial mujer, divertida, amable, ...

Rating: 0%

Deseo felicitar a tan especial mujer, divertida, amable, hermosa y muy culta quien con su compañero Enrique hicieron de nuestras vacaciones un recuerdo inolvidable por su cariño, buena música por ella interpretada. Felicitaciones y deseo que muchísima gente pueda visitarlos

By V!VA User from Ecuador, Jun 13, 2005