Fernandina Hotel and Spa is a compact town-centre hotel in Puerto Ayora, on the corner of 18 de Febrero and Seymour, about five minutes on foot from Academy Bay and the fishing piers and ten from the Malecón, Las Ninfas Lagoon and the ferry terminal. It is built around a garden and has an outdoor pool with a hot tub, a poolside bar, a terrace and a coffee shop, plus a restaurant and a spa offering massages, body treatments and wraps, which is not common at this price level in the islands. Every room faces the garden. The choices are twin and double rooms, a triple and a family room that sleeps five, all air-conditioned, with a safe, a rainfall shower and cable television. It is a three-class property with a very high guest rating from dozens of reviews, with cleanliness and service scoring near the top, so it has earned a reputation as a calm, well-kept address. A continental breakfast is offered for a surcharge, wifi is free in public areas, and there is a concierge, babysitting for a fee and laundry facilities. It suits couples who want a little pampering after active days, families who need a larger room and independent travellers who like the town-centre position.
Location and surroundings
The hotel is a few blocks back from the waterfront, which makes it quieter than the avenue hotels while keeping the docks, restaurants and shops within a short walk. The Charles Darwin Research Station and Playa de los Alemanes are within about two kilometres, a pleasant walk or a short taxi, and taxis for Tortuga Bay and the highlands are easy to arrange. The garden setting gives the hotel a calmer feel than its central location suggests.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms are straightforward and clean, with garden views in all categories. The smaller twin rooms suit solo travellers and couples, while the triple and family rooms add space and extra beds. The pool and hot tub have set opening hours into the evening, and the spa is the main extra, so a massage after a boat day or a highland hike is an easy treat.
The restaurant and poolside bar mean you can eat and drink without going out, and the hotel offers bicycle parking, a water dispenser and a vending machine. There is no on-site parking.
Good to know
Check-in begins early in the morning and runs until evening, which suits early arrivals from the Baltra transfer, and check-out is early. Free cancellation is offered on selected rates. Pets are not allowed, and breakfast is an extra charge, so factor that into your budget. Wifi is free only in public areas, so do not rely on it in your room for work.
For travellers who want a restful base with a spa, a pool and attentive staff at a mid-range level, it is a good choice, and its guest reviews suggest the service is a highlight. Book early for the high seasons, because Puerto Ayora has a limited number of rooms.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool and hot tub
- ✓Spa with massage and body treatments
- ✓Poolside bar and restaurant
- ✓Garden-view rooms
- ✓Air conditioning and in-room safe
- ✓Free WiFi in public areas
- ✓Concierge and babysitting for a fee
- ✓Family room for five
Good questions
Does Fernandina have a spa?+
Yes, it offers massages, body treatments and wraps, alongside an outdoor pool and hot tub.
Is breakfast included?+
A continental breakfast is offered for a surcharge, so check the rate you book.
How far is it from Academy Bay?+
About five minutes on foot, and ten minutes to the Malecón and the ferry terminal.
