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
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
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 UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
