Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel, Puerto Ayora

Pros

• You'll have direct beach access at the only beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz.
• Rooms come with private balconies, where you can sling a hammock, relax with ocean views, and enjoy the surrounding wildlife.
• Dining options feature fresh, local ingredients, including produce from the hotel's own vegetable garden, with various international and local dishes.
• Head to the spa for a treatment that uses local mineral and plant-based products, and book time in the hot tub to relax tired muscles.
• Your stay at Finch Bay is entirely carbon neutral: the hotel's commitment to sustainability is evident through rainwater collection, energy-saving measures, and daily beach cleaning efforts.

Cons

• Rooms are on the smaller side, which might encourage you to spend more time exploring the beautiful surroundings and less time indoors.

Authenticity

As the only beachfront hotel on the islands, Finch Bay Galápagos takes extra care to blend in with its natural surroundings and to leave as little an impact on the environment as possible. Its low-profile design and architecture mimic the volcanic rocks of the area, and wooden walkways lead you through the grounds, leaving the landscape undisturbed. The hotel's commitment to sustainability is evident in its practices, such as rainwater collection, energy-saving measures, and daily beach cleaning; educational programs; conservation efforts; hiring from the local community; and partnerships with programs like Fundación Futuro that help offset the hotel's carbon footprint. 

Location

Nestled on the south side of Isla Santa Cruz, Finch Bay Galápagos grants you direct beach access to sandy Playa de los Alemanes, a few steps away. The Galápagos National Park surrounds the hotel, providing close encounters with the area's unique wildlife. And given the hotel's stellar location, you're only a 5-15 minute walk from nearby island highlights, including top snorkeling site, Las Grietas, Puerto Ayora shopping, and the Charles Darwin Research Station, while to reach the Santa Cruz highlands is about a 30-minute drive. The more intrepid can get to the white sand beaches of popular Tortuga Bay on foot in 45-60 minutes, or hire a hotel boat to get to its entrance.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 33 modern rooms and suites, designed by Ecuadorian Julio Vinueza, are done up in a warm, breezy, beachy aesthetic with wood furnishings and earth-toned textiles and furnishings. Each has a private balcony, where you can unwind in a hammock and take in the ocean views. Private bathrooms are standard and have biodegradable toiletries. Upgrade to a luxe Evolution Suite for more space and character (teak beam ceilings, wall-to-wall glass windows, and deep soaking tubs).

Amenities

Take advantage of the range of amenities available, including a year-round outdoor swimming pool flanked by sun loungers and umbrellas, an on-site spa with a robust menu of treatments that also houses a fitness center and yoga studio, and hot tubs you need to book at least an hour in advance. You can also borrow wetsuits and snorkel gear to explore the bay waters. Dining options are diverse, with a complimentary buffet breakfast that caters to various diets and a lunch and dinner menu that serves French, Italian, Mediterranean, Peruvian, and local cuisines, made with ingredients sourced from the hotel's own vegetable garden and local delicacies.

Family-Friendliness

Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel isn't particularly tailored to families with young children. There are no cribs or extra beds. The focus is more on providing a relaxing, adult-centric experience. However, the setting and proximity to wildlife can appeal to families with older kids interested in nature and exploration.