Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel

Ecuador , Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz, Barrio Punta Estrada
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2026

Julie

Absolutely phenomenal

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2026

Karen

We LOVED everything! We were sad to leave! Fantastic staff, stunning location and first class accommodations! The food was delicious and our time in the pool was relaxing! Thank you for a magical stay!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

wendy meryl

The Finch Bay exceeded all of our expectations. The location is amazing and very convenient for seeing the sights and adjacent to a beautiful beach. The property is beautiful with magical little walk ways. The staff could not be nicer. They were incredibly helpful and cheerful and pleasant and made our stay even better than we could have expected. We booked a few tours through them which were great. The room was lovely, we had a pretty little balcony with a view of the water and the air conditioning cooled the room quickly. I liked that there was no tv in the room but there is a shared tv room in the main building. Wifi worked fine. The food was insanely delicious -- fresh and flavorful and priced reasonably. Hotel runs a free boat shuttle to town and to neighboring boats.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2026

Kylea

Wow! What an amazing stay at this special place. From the private boat pickup, to the exceptionally large pool area shared with amazing birds daily, eco-lux practices, amazing fresh & innovative breakfast/restaurant/cocktails, lovely secluded spa, exceptionally well appointed rooms, and a team that truly looks after your every need - Finch Bay Hotel was just wonderful!!

Self

4/10

Poor

10 Jan 2026

BARI

Significantly Overpriced for What You Get
For the price point (CAD $890 per night for a standard room; CAD $6,231 for 7 nights), the value did not align with expectations of a luxury hotel. The experience and amenities felt more mid-range, and several features commonly found in far less expensive hotels were missing.
Cons:
Room was much smaller than expected with very simple furnishings. Standard rooms offer average views of trees and a small pond. In-room amenities were minimal: no fridge, TV, iron/steamer, or coffee/tea setup. A recurring stale/sewer-like odor appeared in the room and bathroom. The welcome drink was a lemonade, with no additional touches typical of higher-end properties.
On arrival, despite paying USD $65 per person for the transfer, we had to carry our luggage on a long walk; this seemed to be a one-off, as departure luggage was handled properly.
Mixed:
Beach access is convenient but fully public, with no dedicated chairs or umbrellas. The fitness center must be reserved; equipment is good, but preferred times may be unavailable.
Pros:
The hotel manager, Ana, was very accommodating and arranged a mini-fridge upon request. Staff-to-guest ratio is high, and rooms/common areas are very clean. Bed was comfortable. Breakfast was very good and starts early. Snorkel gear is included, and a complimentary water taxi is available via WhatsApp.
Accessibility:
The 5–10 minute walk from the dock may be difficult for guests with limited mobility unless assistance is arr

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2026

Fleur

The staff couldn’t have done more for us the hotel was stunning. Five star throughout. It’s expensive but so worth it

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2026

Genevieve

Luxury resort
Bestvrestaurant of the island

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2024

Jonathan

Beautiful resort, impeccably clean, very kind and enthusiastic staff. Delicious restaurant. 5 stars all around, we will definitely return!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Mar 2024

Christopher

I like it.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2023

Colleen

The entire team at Finch Bay was exceptional and set this hotel apart from others. From reception team finding solutions to your requests, changing rooms around to accommodate to the incredible dining staff serving great food and drinks with a story and genuine warmth. This is our families second trip to the Galapagos but first time staying on land - it was a lovely change and needed so the teens could still log on for school. Many thanks for a lovely week!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Dec 2023

Nickolas

Went there for my honeymoon, it was great!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2023

Toni Shae

Excellent property! The chef and staff are above and beyond! Beautiful property, excellent customer service. Spa and excursions were top tier! I would stay here again if given the opportunity!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2023

Ralph

Almost certainly the best hotel in The Galápagos.

Service was exceptional - relaxed and friendly but right on it and incredibly responsive and informative. Couldn’t have been more helpful on absolutely every front.

The hotel itself is beautiful - somehow gets it just right - brilliant layout - everything is in exactly the right place if that makes sense!

The Food is exceptional - credit to the chef - we tried all sorts and it was all beautifully prepared and tasted wonderful. And actually not even that expensive relative to other places on the islands.

Beautiful beach right in front of the hotel. It is a public beach but to be honest that was quite nice as it gave it a bit of buzz.

Private water taxi was excellent - you just whatsapped when you needed taking or collecting and it was always there within 5 minutes at most.

All in all an absolutely superb hotel - we were there 6 nights and it was a great base to explore the whole island. The only suggestion I would make prospective guests is that there’s no need to book the more expensive suites. We were in one due to availability, but the standard rooms were half the price, perfectly well situated, and really nice too. So I’d just book one of them next time.

Loved our stay at Finch Bay. Thanks to all 😃.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2023

Pedram

Awesome

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Jul 2022

Nicole

I felt like Finch Bay was a very nice hotel for the Galapagos. However, I felt like they were slightly understaffed. We also mentioned it was our honeymoon and, unlike the other hotels we stayed at throughout our three week vacation, this hotel did nothing for us to honor this.
Clean, quiet. Amazing spa with the best massage.
The ducks kept pooping in the pool so we weren't using the pool, but the hot tubs at the spa were nice.
Overall, good experience. However, I don't think was worth the high price we paid for a suite.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2022

Grace

Amazing properly. Staff is super nice and attentive especially Cesar, Erika and Luis!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

11 Mar 2022

Verified traveler

THE spot to stay in Galapagos

Service and hospitality are unparalleled.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Oct 2021

Fred

Nice hotel but over priced and rooms are very small!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

16 May 2021

Verified traveler

We absolutely loved our stay here. The staff were so friendly and helpful with anything we needed.

All of the little things they did for us were great. Noticed we were sunburnt? They brought us fresh allow off the plant.

When we were leaving, we had a layover in Quito for the night and needed to present a COVID test to get back to the US. They contacted our layover hotel and scheduled the testing so we would have the results that same night and in time for our flight the next morning.

The food was great. Quick access to town. The tour guide they gave us for excursions was very knowledgeable and friendly. Beach was a 1-2 minute from our room. Everything was perfect.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2021

Jarod

Very beautiful resort

The resort was beautiful and had very good service. It requires a boat ride to get to the downtown area, but it is easy to use.

Self

2/10

Poor

22 Oct 2020

Thuy Anh

The hotel didn’t mention that we have to have a 4 days Covid test to the Galápagos Islands not the 10 days Covid test requirement to enter Ecuador. So we didn’t know about this, our Covid test was 6 days ago.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2020

AshK

I lived everything about the hotel. Very unique and excellent service!

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

17 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Bait and switch. We arrived after a live aboard yacht trip and did not have the ocean view room I booked on Expedia. Finch Bay was rude about it. I would have booked another hotel had I known. This was the end of a “make a wish trip”. They gave us a garden view room that was very small, much smaller than my room at home; nothing special here. No hot water, found that out when I was in the shower. My husband called and they turned it on. They do not replenish toilet paper, apparently, found that out with just s few sheets left on the roll. Got eaten alive by mosquitoes at dinner; no mention of preventing that from the wait staff. I do not have mosquitoes where I live. Food was very very overpriced. I dine out regularly in Santa Barbara, California and it doesn’t cost this much. I woke up the last morning asphyxiated by some chemical they sprayed outside my room that night. Also, the last night I woke up to a disgusting smell of nasty dirty feet where my face rested on the duvet, I almost threw up. Apparently they do not wash the insert. Communication was very poor among the front desk. For example, one instance they told us to leave our luggage out on the porch at 7 am upon departure after check out. We did and our luggage didn’t show up at the water taxi. We had to wait awhile an cut it very close for our flight. The breakfast was excellent. Otherwise I am very underwhelmed and extremely disappointed at the last leg of what was an amazing trip.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2019

Ben

Most attentive and friendly staff ever!

Best location and staff on Santa Cruz. I would recommend this hotel to anyone touring the Galápagos.

Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

It waa a beautiful serene environment. A bit pricey though for what you get.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

This property is perfect for a land-based trip to Galápagos Islands. We took their private yacht each day to a different island and saw a lot, but had the comfort of a first class land hotel each night. The tours were outstanding and each day was unique. Food was great too and so was service.

8/10

Excellent

26 Nov 2018

Karen

We stayed at the Finch Bay Hotel for 6 nights during our recent stay in the Galapagos. The resort is beautiful and has an incredible location - one of the few if maybe the only one with a location on a beach. We also enjoyed the town of Puerto Ayora and all of the day trips we purchased through the hotel. Highly recommend staying here if you're contemplating a visit to the Galapagos.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Aug 2018

Jennifer

Finch Bay Review

Finch Bay is a great spot near Puerto Ayora and very peaceful. It is near a beach and a short hike to Las Grietas.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Tranquil galapagos getaway

Finch Bay hotel is very nice hotel for what it is, not a 5 star mega luxury hotel, but a great hotel that adapts to the fragile environment. Service was top notch and staff super friendly, great breakfast buffee and nice pool area. Being away from the city center, it's nice and quiet. Just the fact you have your own boat ride to reach here is a nice touch. Expensive hotel, but very nice!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Great hotel and experience. Ronato was especially helpful and exceeded our expectations in every way!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2018

Carl & Kim

Great 5 star Experience!

Great facility with exceptional staff who went out of their way to provide a memorable experience.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2018

Margaret

A great place to stay.

Great location and very restful place. Excellent service. The staff could not be more accommodating and friendly.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2018

Rosemary

\"Green\"Hotel by sunny beach with abundant wildlife

We would highly recommend the hotel arranged transfer from/to GPS Baltra airport. Our luggage was carried and put into the airport bus, boat, taxi, and finally the finch bay ferry and onto the hotel. Our inward flight was delayed by 3 hours, but our driver was still there to meet us and stopped for photos of large tortoises during the drive over the wetter highlands. .

Our first outside evening meal, at sunset by the pool with visiting birds, was magic. Caesar gently suggested the set dinner menu and it was all perfect after a tiring few days. Water was provided daily in the rooms and the breakfast selection varied but always tasty & plentiful. The food was consistently good and the seafood and salads well prepared and tasty...with some notable tender octopus.

In a short walk to and along the beach we saw marine iguana, lots of birds close by darting and feeding in the bushes, while frigate birds and egrets were overhead with herons, ducks and pelicans visiting. Fishes and crabs were in the rock pools, and the sea was warm to swim in.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2018

Jon

Upper Class Service in the Galapagos

The Finch Bay is the best a full service upscale Hotel (I believe it is associated with National Geographic) on the Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz to be exact). You don't have a lot of choices in the islands so your going to pay a lot of money.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Great location, but needs TLC

Location is 5 stars! This property has an excellent restaurant and a great staff. Our biggest disappointment was with our room. The bathroom specifically needs attention. The shower head was rusted and needs replacing. The towel bar was obviously broken in the past and repaired with cement but dried crooked. The plunger in the sink did not work properly and the bathroom door only closed if you slammed it shut. There was dispenser for hair conditioner missing on the shower wall. None of this is acceptable when paying $400+ per night. The rooms were also noisy, but that is to be expected of a cement constructed building. Everyone, however, was very considerate.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Sep 2017

Suzy

Wonderful staff goes above and beyond

Traveling to the Galapagos is not for the faint of heart... expect trains, planes, automobiles and more, including schlepping in and out of water taxis, and up and down lava paths with your luggage. Of course, that's what make it an adventure! When we finally got to Finch Bay we were greeted in the lovely and well-designed reception/lounge area with fresh juice. A member of the staff perfunctorily rattled off info about meals, excursions, etc. The hotel was full and unfortunately we got a small, dark corner room. Not at all what we had hoped for. Luckily, the wonderful bartender and a yummy (but expensive) dinner lightened our mood. The next day we thought about changing hotels but when we talked to the manager, Irene, about it she was a step ahead of us. She had already made arrangements to transfer us to an oceanfront room! Maybe it was the weather when we were there, a bit overcast with periods of sun, but the rooms were dark. Other than that they were comfortable and nicely decorated, with hammocks on the balconies for a nice touch. Breakfasts were beautifully displayed and the food was fresh and delicious. The staff was outstanding - attentive, friendly and dedicated to making your stay a pleasant one. The hotel offers a range of excursions. You can book in town for better prices, but it's nice to be able to go right from the hotel with trustworthy transportation and guides. Irene and the rest of the staff definitely made our stay!

6/10

Pleasant

07 Sep 2017

Miles

Nice eco reputation

Nice to stay in an eco-hotel. Common areas are large and beautiful, staff are great. The rooms are small and basic (contributes to their eco-friendly reputation). The breakfast was good but dinner was terribly disappointing - much better restaurants in Puerto Ayora.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2017

Excellent hotel! Beach front!

The hotel exceeded my expectations, service was personalize and very friendly, food was delicious, i will definitely come back soon. The Galapagos is one in a life time experience, the work they do there to preserve the animals and their ecosystem is amazing.
Definitely recommend going to Galapagos, the island are very safe, organize and clean. And most importantly stay at Finch Hotel is a family, couples or single friendly hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2017

Scott

Outstanding hotel with great restaurant and great tours from hotel

Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Dec 2016

Anastasia

Heaven in Paradise

Everything was perfect from start to finish. Stay in the ocean view villas for maximum comfort and a private balcony with a hammock and gorgeous view. The staff are fantastic, calling each guest by name. The all inclusive naturalist packages are the way to go, combining room, food, and activities on the property's 90 foot yacht. The naturalist guides are also great! The food is excellent.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2016

constance

A wonderful experience.

Hotel staff and food are excellent. Staff could not be nicer or more accommodating. Extensive menu selection.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2016

Suzy&Allen

Beautiful hotel

This hotel will exceed al your expectations. It's beautiful, delicious food, attentive staff. Highly recommend

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2016

natalie

Best hotel in Santa Cruz

My boyfriend and I stayed here for a romantic getaway and absolutely loved it. It's a bit pricy and you only need to stay here for a few days if you're on a budget but I would definitely splurge to stay at least a day or two. We stayed at the end of our trip when we were trying to relax. The staff was amazing, the adventures they plan are fantastic and well priced. I got sick the last day and they got the medicine I needed and checked in on me frequently. Beautiful rooms, pool and location.

8/10

Excellent

22 Mar 2016

Candi

Nice escape

Room was nice size with very nice patio and ocean view. Greeted with cold fresh juice and towels after walk from dock. Pool was excellent. Staff very nice. Wish staff had helped more with excursion planning to make our trip everything we had looked forward to.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2016

Linda

A luxurious hotel on the beach

A wonderful thing about the hotel is that it is operated by Metropolitan Tours. All or half day hiking and boat excursions led by a guide can be reserved at the desk. And, most importantly, you are guaranteed the best possible tour and experience. (We heard stories of land based operatives in town who overcharged, whose guides didn't speak English, who apcharged hidden fees, etc. No such problem with the Finch Bay Metropolitan Touring people! Moreover the guide picked you up from a comfortable area near the front desk, and did not leave your side until he/she returned you to the spot after the tour.

8/10

Excellent

21 Dec 2015

Verified traveler

We love the location, breakfast was great, the staff was very helpful and friendly. The rooms were very small, need to be updated

10/10

Exceptional

14 Dec 2015

daniel

Excellent service and highly recommended

This hotel was amazing. The rooms were kept in great shape. The view of the beach and the pool was spectacular. My favorite part was everyone knew my name and welcomed me everytime I walked around. Very personal and excellent

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2015

Joseph

Gorgeous place/nice stay, but avoid the restaurant

The grounds, room, pool, and location are all superb. Most of the staff was very friendly. The only problem was the food - breakfast was just \"OK\" with nothing very inspiring. The dinner at the restaurant however was plain shameful. In our 6 weeks of travel in 3 countries this was the most overpriced and the second worst tasting meal we had. Both my wife and I covered our food with the pesto bread dipping sauce to make it worth eating. I don`t usually complain for simply not liking something, but I was tempted to given the build up (and price) for the entrees. Eat elsewhere!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2015

Verified traveler

The hotel itself it's worth the trip to Galapagos.

There's really not much I can say about this place other than it's PERFECT. As I wrote in the title, the hotel itself is worth the trip to Galapagos. It's the perfect place to stay in Santa Cruz.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2015

Frank

Yes you should stay here....\"

Just wonderful. Perfect friendly service and exotic location. We sat by the pool as a Heron flew down and landed 4 feet from my wife then carefully worked his way to the pool for a drink. Room was comfortable. Breakfast was an A +. We had to take a mini boat ride from the pier to the hotel which only added to the already amazing sights.

Partner