Every aspect of the spa has been heavily vetted in terms of sustainability
An eco-friendly spa has opened on the Galapagos Islands – famous as the place where Charles Darwin formulated the theory of evolution and one of the most strictly regulated regions in the world for development.
Spa consultancy Raison d’Etre has collaborated with hotel and tour operator, Metropolitan Touring, to create the sustainable spa for the Finch Bay Hotel on Isla Santa Cruz.
The 27-room property is a member of the National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World portfolio, a heavily-vetted collection which only includes sites that have a strong commitment to sustainable practices and to protecting natural and cultural heritage.
Ian Bell, Raison d’Etre’s senior project manager says sustainability plays a huge role in the spa. “Each item ordered for the spa was assessed to establish its carbon footprint, and also for ease of disposal after use. We don’t have disposable slippers at the spa at the moment, as we’re still searching for product lines that are recyclable”.
Raison d’Etre created the spa menu and was also responsible for training the spa’s locally-hired therapists.
The spa has one single and one double treatment room and uses Barcelona-based Bruno Vassari products and Aroma Vida, an Ecuadorian wellness brand, which includes ingredients native to the Galapagos, such as palo santo oil, from the native ‘holy tree’, and Ecuadorian chocolate.
Bell adds: “One of the biggest challenges has been finding high-quality spa products that really reflect the powerful sustainability ethos of Metropolitan Touring.”
Additional facilities available to guests at the new Finch Bay facility include a gym, yoga studio, and two spa pools.
Metropolitan Touring was the first travel company to start operating excursions to the Galapagos 60 years ago. It offers island tours, cruises and owns two other hotels in Ecuador.
Following the opening of Finch Bay’s spa, Metropolitan Touring is now also set to expand the spa offering at Mashpi Lodge hotel in the Andean cloud forest in the coming year.
In other news, Six Senses has just revealed that it’s also working on a Galapagos site which is due to open in 2021.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2019 issue 4
Editor's letter: Democratic wellness
To truly flourish, the spa industry needs to step outside its comfort zone and reach out to different markets with new and exciting business models, says Katie Barnes
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Boundary-pushing wellness in Iceland, self-care focus at Devarana and Civana’s equine retreat all feature in our spa menu round-up
Interview: Alexandre Cantin
Canada’s Groupe Nordik wants to open 10 nature spas, focusing on bathing and thermotherapy, by 2027. Katie Barnes talks to its VP of growth and strategy
Promotional feature: Starpool - Star quality
Wellness expert, Starpool, is known for offering complete wellness solutions with Italian design flair, enabling operators to create world class treatments and experiences
Training: Covering all bases
Resense joins forces with Lobster Ink to create an online training program for multiple spa roles
Promotional feature: Gharieni
Spa equipment innovator, Gharieni, is partnering with leading spas around the world to showcase its products to clients in real world settings, as CEO, Sammy Gharieni, explains
Research: Positive picture
ISPA’s latest US spa study shows continued growth across key metrics and pinpoints CBD and gen Z as trends. Russell Donaldson reports
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSystems - Cool customer
Rainer Bolsinger, who heads up hotel and spa sales of icelab at Zimmer MedizinSystems, and icelab customer Chenot Group, explain how cryotherapy can be incorporated into your business
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Skin deep
Biologique Recherche has spent the past 40 years developing technology and products to understand the skin on an individual level. Pierre-Louis Delapalme and Rupert Schmid tell Spa Business about the Parisian brand’s latest innovations
Research: On the move
The global physical activity market is now worth US$828bn according to a new GWI study. But what emerging trends do spas need to know about?
Promotional feature: SpaSoft - Onwards & upwards
The enhanced integration between SpaSoft and multiple PMS systems will help your team save time, remove the possibility of human error and create an elevated guest experience
Software: Monetising
How is software helping spas to navigate e-commerce and further monetise their relationship with clients
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
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Every aspect of the spa has been heavily vetted in terms of sustainability
An eco-friendly spa has opened on the Galapagos Islands – famous as the place where Charles Darwin formulated the theory of evolution and one of the most strictly regulated regions in the world for development.
Spa consultancy Raison d’Etre has collaborated with hotel and tour operator, Metropolitan Touring, to create the sustainable spa for the Finch Bay Hotel on Isla Santa Cruz.
The 27-room property is a member of the National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World portfolio, a heavily-vetted collection which only includes sites that have a strong commitment to sustainable practices and to protecting natural and cultural heritage.
Ian Bell, Raison d’Etre’s senior project manager says sustainability plays a huge role in the spa. “Each item ordered for the spa was assessed to establish its carbon footprint, and also for ease of disposal after use. We don’t have disposable slippers at the spa at the moment, as we’re still searching for product lines that are recyclable”.
Raison d’Etre created the spa menu and was also responsible for training the spa’s locally-hired therapists.
The spa has one single and one double treatment room and uses Barcelona-based Bruno Vassari products and Aroma Vida, an Ecuadorian wellness brand, which includes ingredients native to the Galapagos, such as palo santo oil, from the native ‘holy tree’, and Ecuadorian chocolate.
Bell adds: “One of the biggest challenges has been finding high-quality spa products that really reflect the powerful sustainability ethos of Metropolitan Touring.”
Additional facilities available to guests at the new Finch Bay facility include a gym, yoga studio, and two spa pools.
Metropolitan Touring was the first travel company to start operating excursions to the Galapagos 60 years ago. It offers island tours, cruises and owns two other hotels in Ecuador.
Following the opening of Finch Bay’s spa, Metropolitan Touring is now also set to expand the spa offering at Mashpi Lodge hotel in the Andean cloud forest in the coming year.
In other news, Six Senses has just revealed that it’s also working on a Galapagos site which is due to open in 2021.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2019 issue 4
Editor's letter: Democratic wellness
To truly flourish, the spa industry needs to step outside its comfort zone and reach out to different markets with new and exciting business models, says Katie Barnes
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Boundary-pushing wellness in Iceland, self-care focus at Devarana and Civana’s equine retreat all feature in our spa menu round-up
Interview: Alexandre Cantin
Canada’s Groupe Nordik wants to open 10 nature spas, focusing on bathing and thermotherapy, by 2027. Katie Barnes talks to its VP of growth and strategy
Promotional feature: Starpool - Star quality
Wellness expert, Starpool, is known for offering complete wellness solutions with Italian design flair, enabling operators to create world class treatments and experiences
Training: Covering all bases
Resense joins forces with Lobster Ink to create an online training program for multiple spa roles
Promotional feature: Gharieni
Spa equipment innovator, Gharieni, is partnering with leading spas around the world to showcase its products to clients in real world settings, as CEO, Sammy Gharieni, explains
Research: Positive picture
ISPA’s latest US spa study shows continued growth across key metrics and pinpoints CBD and gen Z as trends. Russell Donaldson reports
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSystems - Cool customer
Rainer Bolsinger, who heads up hotel and spa sales of icelab at Zimmer MedizinSystems, and icelab customer Chenot Group, explain how cryotherapy can be incorporated into your business
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Skin deep
Biologique Recherche has spent the past 40 years developing technology and products to understand the skin on an individual level. Pierre-Louis Delapalme and Rupert Schmid tell Spa Business about the Parisian brand’s latest innovations
Research: On the move
The global physical activity market is now worth US$828bn according to a new GWI study. But what emerging trends do spas need to know about?
Promotional feature: SpaSoft - Onwards & upwards
The enhanced integration between SpaSoft and multiple PMS systems will help your team save time, remove the possibility of human error and create an elevated guest experience
Software: Monetising
How is software helping spas to navigate e-commerce and further monetise their relationship with clients
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Omnisens Rooted in nature and guided by a holistic philosophy, Omnisens' treatments and products are crafted [more...]
