Having been a foreign student in Quito, I can't disagree with any of the above (the Galapagos Islands are some of the most amazing places on earth). I don't know that there are many (if any) luxury resorts if you are looking for that sort of thing. I hightly recommend Metropolitan Touring in Quito (I think they have an office in Miami) and many local (U.S.) travel agents will book thru them). You can also walk in their office in Quito (it used to be, maybe still is, on the street, Amazonas).
Other suggestions are the beaches at Atacames and Bahia de Caraquez (my trip here was one of my fondest memories ever - long walks on the mostly deserted beautiful beach and, at night, drifting off to sleep while listening to the waves crash on the beach while the ocean breeze caressed, well you know...). Esmeraldas is an interesting town. It has a fairly large black population - descendents of a slave ship that sunk off the coast a few hundred years ago or so.
The Saturday morning market at Otavalo (north of Quito) is not to be missed. Even if you don't plan to shop, you should see the town and immaculately and beautifully dressed and friendly Otavalan Indians. This is near the Mitad del Mundo (equator), where you can have one foot in each hemisphere. And, you can do it all in one day if you wish. You can hire a taxi driver in Quito for the day (its pretty cheap) or again, tour with Metropolitan. You could also rent a car which I don't recommend or take a bus - an adventure in itself. Did it several times as a college student. I don't think I would now.
Not enough? Travel to Cotopaxi or Chimborazo. Two of the highest mountains of the Andes - snow capped and beautiful. Or climb Mt. Pichincha, the 14,000 foot mountain in whose shadow Quito sits.
Metropolitan Touring can also arrange several days in the jungle. If you are moderately adventurous - do it!
Plan to spend a few days, at least, in Quito (city of eternal Spring - bring a sweater AND sunscreen), particularly if you have an interest in pre-Columbian and Latin American colonial art.
Skip Guayaquil. Its hot, muggy, dirty and dangerous.
This is a wonderful little country. Do it! Sorry for the long post. As you can see, I'm rather enthusiastic about it.
[This message has been edited by ILuvParis (edited 10-14-2000).]