Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
Punta Estrada, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island,
Galapagos
https://www.finchbayhotel.com/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group:
Independent
Shareholders:
Privately owned
Date of Creation:
2005
Hotel General Manager:
Javier Gómez
Javier has more than 15 years of experience in tourism, hospitality, and human resources, with Starwood, Hilton, Wyndham, GHL Hotels, and Metropolitan Touring, in Ecuador, Colombia, the United States and Panamá. His past positions include Director of Operations, Human Resources, Food & Beverages, and Corporate Director. He has an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management and is a Brand Development and Leadership certified coach, by Starwood and Hilton.
Hotel Positioning:
National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World member since September, 2016.
Development strategy:
To lead a sustainable operation that delivers an authentic experience of the Galapagos Islands from the heart of the archipelago as an Expedition Hotel, through comprehensive activities, carefully curated programs, Daily Day Tours aboard our privately owned Sea Lion Yacht, and true traditional Galapagos cuisine, to live the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve like a local.
FINCH BAY GALAPAGOS HOTEL
History & Story
Between the 1930s and 1950s, Germans settled in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, when Norwegians still lived in Divine Bay. The Sievers family inaugurated Hotel Delfín in the 1970s in south side of Puerto Ayora, in the isolated neighborhood of Punta Estrada. In the 1990s, the current owners became the managers, and finally purchased it in 2005, and renamed it after the famous birds that caught Darwin’s attention.
Date Renovation
Ecuadorian interior designer Julio Vinueza has led renovations in Finch Bay since 2016. First came the lounge in that year. In 2018, the restaurant and the bathrooms in every room were updated. Next year, the pool was redesigned in September. 2019 was also the year when we built our Wellness Center.
Date added Extensions
In October, 2019, our Raison d’être Spa was born, under Julio Vinueza’s expert guidance. Below you will find more details on our Wellness Center, which was built out of volcanic rock and sustainable materials.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Being so central in the archipelago makes the hotel the ideal hub for all island activities, including pre- or post-cruise stays. The hotel is small and intimate (maximum capacity: 54 guests), showcasing an “expedition chic” look fully in-tune with its extraordinary beachfront location in Puerto Ayora. Take advantage of it and set out to explore, seek adventure, or just relax. Enjoy fine dining, flexible activity (like paddleboarding!) options and all the comfort you need to make the most of your Galapagos journey, your way. Our team’s warmth and keenness to please make the true and lasting difference.
Location:
In the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, at the heart of the Galapagos archipelago, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America, the Finch Bay sits in a secluded area on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, the only beachfront hotel in Puerto Ayora. Central to the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
Key sites/activities in the area:
Our lodge is perfect for land-based exploration as we are in walking distance from the Charles Darwin Research Station, the top snorkeling site, Las Grietas, and Santa Cruz’s main shopping district. A half-hour drive away lie the wonders of Santa Cruz highlands: the Giant Tortoise Reserve, lava tunnels, and the Twin Craters. If you’re into hiking, an hour-long walk will take you to Tortuga Bay Beach. The gorgeous Divine Bay is a short panga (dinghy) trip away. Enjoy snorkeling while on our yacht!
Fun Facts
As an Expedition Hotel, we offer our guests the assistance of an Expedition Leader, who will assist every visitor to make the most of their stay at the Enchanted Isles.
Children’s Corner:
The Finch Bay is ideal for families. We offer great optional and customizable activities, including surfing, paddleboarding, scuba diving, kayaking and mountain biking, designed to bring out the active adventurer in you. They allow every member to truly discover the Islands and their wildlife, and can be easily tailored to any age. The hotel also provides the ideal base for some well-deserved downtime: unwind, wander through town, walk on the beach, read a book, or just kick back and enjoy its serene location.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation:
• Number of suites: 6
• 3 with one king-size bed.
• 3 with two double beds.
• 4 of them interconnect. All have a view to the ocean.
• Number of Luxury rooms: 21
• With two twin-size beds or one king-size bed.
• 1 room available for guests with limited mobility.
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 27
Restaurants & Bars:
• Finch Bay Restaurant: Signature Galapagos-style Cuisine.
Inspired by the archipelago itself and local ingredients, an eclectic range of dishes accommodate every request: From vegetarian, vegan, and celiac choices, to kids’ menu. Along with our fresh ingredients, we use herbs and vegetables grown in our very own organic garden, Chakrita. Our Ecuadorian Executive Chef, José Tamayo, trained in Argentina, showcases the finest Ecuadorian gastronomy while blending flavours and techniques from around the world. The restaurant offers three meals: buffet breakfast, À la carte lunches and appetizers, and dinner.
• Finch Bay Bar
Our lovely open-air restaurant has a stylish bar, renovated with a unique design. Our very own mixologist from Peru, Jossimar Luján, designs original cocktails, great for enjoying a perfect moment with loved ones, against the backdrop of stunning ocean views. Focusing on creativity, he has dedicated himself to the limitless art of combining all sorts of incredible flavours and techniques. Our selection of wines branches out across the New and Old Worlds, befitting of the elegant setting and stellar service of our hotel.
Wellness:
• An array of fine treatments, a yoga deck, a fully equipped gym and hot tubs. Finch Bay’s very own spa is our hotel’s newest addition, aimed at giving you the full experience, whichever service you choose, with resources unique to the archipelago. Its secluded location amidst raw nature with direct access to the beach make it an exclusive site for a holistic approach to wellbeing. Come disconnect with us and enjoy up to an hour of luxurious pampering as our team of Raison d’être – certified experts help you detox and unwind.
• Just outside the lounge, our newly extended outdoor heated pool faces our private slice of beach, with the bar behind it and the spacious pergola to one side.
Corporate & Celebration Events:
• Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel is the ideal venue for proposals, weddings, anniversaries, and similar events.
• The hotel can be chartered and has been used for incentive groups.
Extra Notable Features:
Programs:
• Finch Bay Ideal
• Finch Bay Expedition
• Finch Bay Diving
• Finch Bay Honeymoon
Sea Lion Yacht’s Daily Day Tours:
• Bartolome Island: Available on Tuesdays and Saturdays
• South Plaza Island: Available on Wednesdays and Fridays
• Santa Fe Island: Available on Thursdays
• North Seymour Island & Las Bachas Beach: Available on Mondays and Sundays
Guest-exclusive activities:
• Ceviche cooking lessons
• Cocktail preparation lessons
• Couples massage.
Hotel and restaurant Awards:
2019
• World Travel Awards World's Leading Green Hotel – Winner
• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame: Restaurant
• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence: Hotel
• TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards
2018
• World Travel Awards World's Leading Green Hotel – Winner
• World Travel Awards South America's Leading Green Hotel – Winner
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 25 Small Hotels in Ecuador
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 25 Hotels for Service in Ecuador
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 10 Hotels for Romance in Ecuador
2017
• World Travel Awards – World’s Leading Green Hotel – Winner
• Condé Nast Reader’s Choice Awards 2017 – Top 20 Resorts in South America – Winner
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 25 Small Hotels in Ecuador
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 25 Hotels for Service in Ecuador
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 10 Hotels for Romance in Ecuador
• Finalist: National Geographic World Legacy Awards 2017 – Earth Changers Category
2016-2015
• World’s Leading Green Hotel 2016 – World Travel Awards – Winner
• South America’s Leading Green Hotel 2016 – World Travel Awards
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 25 Small Hotels in Ecuador
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 25 Hotels for Service in Ecuador
• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice – Top 10 Hotels for Romance in Ecuador
• World’s Leading Green Hotel 2015 – World Travel Awards – Winner
• South America’s Leading Green Hotel 2015 – World Travel Awards – Winner
2014-2013-2012
• Winner: World’s Leading Green Hotel 2014 by World Travel Awards
• Top 10 Best Resort in Central & South America 2014 by Condé Nast Traveler
• Winner: South America’s Leading Green Hotel 2014 – World Travel Awards
• TripAdvisor 2014: Travelers’ Choice – Small hotels
• Winner: South America’s Leading Green Hotel 2013 – World Travel Awards
• Winner: South America’s Leading Green Hotel 2012 – World Travel Awards
• Winner: 2005 Ecuador’s Leading Resort – World Travel Awards
• TripAdvisor 2013: Top 25 Hotels for Service in Ecuador, Top 10 Small Hotels in Ecuador and Ranked #1 hotel in Puerto Ayora
• TripAdvisor 2012: Top 25 Hotels in South America, #1 hotel in Puerto Ayora
Number of employees:
75