Villa Escalesia: A Luxury Hotel in the Galápagos Islands with Fernando Salazar, General Manager | Travel Blog

Located on Santa Cruz Island, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by the remarkable wildlife of the Galápagos, Villa Escalesia redefines the concept of personalized luxury in the islands.

In this second edition of SCAPE Magazine, focused on Wellness and Gastronomy, we present an exclusive interview with Fernando Salazar, who shares the story behind Villa Escalesia and how it delivers a deeply personalized luxury experience while operating responsibly within the fragile Galápagos ecosystem and fostering meaningful encounters with its unique wildlife. More than a luxury stay, it is a private retreat in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments.

Table of contents

• The Origin and Concept of Villa Escalesia
  - Villa Escalesia: A Miss Universe Choice
• An Experience Defined by Privacy and Exclusivity
• Wildlife as Part of the Daily Experience
• Fernando’s Favorite Spaces
• Wellness in Its Purest Form
• Gastronomy Tailored to the Guest
• Sustainability as a Non Negotiable Standard
• Being Featured by Voyagers Travel Company
• Looking Toward the Future
• A Message to Future Guests
• FAQs

Continue reading and let yourself be surprised!

 

The Origin and Concept of Villa Escalesia

Originally a private holiday residence belonging to a family from Guayaquil, Villa Escalesia Galapagos Waterfront Hotel opened its doors in 2024 under a new boutique hospitality concept.

That residential origin remains part of Villa Escalesia’s identity today. Rather than feeling like a conventional hotel, the property retains the intimacy and relaxed atmosphere of an oceanfront home, complemented by the service and attention expected from a boutique hospitality experience.

Throughout the property, cacti, acacias, almond trees, mangroves, and imposing palm trees form part of the landscape, creating a natural setting that reflects the character of the islands.

Villa Escalesia: A Miss Universe Choice

Among the moments Villa Escalesia is particularly proud of is the visit of Miss Universe Victoria Kjær, who stayed at the hotel during her time in Ecuador, reflecting the privacy, privileged setting, and unique character that define the property.

An Experience Defined by Privacy and Exclusivity

Villa Escalesia Galápagos Waterfront Hotel offers an intimate experience in the Galapagos Islands, featuring six rooms, each individually decorated. At Villa Escalesia, personalized hospitality is not an added service but part of the way the hotel operates.

Villa Escalesia’s intimate scale creates a more private and personalized atmosphere where the team can understand individual preferences, anticipate needs, and adapt the experience with a level of attention that would be difficult to replicate in a larger hotel.

This scale allows the hotel to offer:

• A high level of privacy and exclusivity
• Close, personalized attention throughout the stay, where service is shaped by the limited number of guests rather than standardized procedures
• Daily breakfast served at the hotel, with consideration for guests’ dietary restrictions
• Exclusive benefits at selected partner restaurants for lunch and dinner
• Personalized concierge assistance
• An exclusive buyout option for guests seeking complete privacy, allowing them to experience Villa Escalesia as a private oceanfront residence while retaining the personalized service of the hotel team

The Isabela Signature Suite Ocean View, located on the first floor, reflects what Fernando describes as a connection between comfort and the natural surroundings of the Galapagos. Its private balcony and outdoor jacuzzi open onto a lush courtyard framed by cacti and towering palm trees, with the infinity pool beyond and direct views across Academy Bay in Puerto Ayora

Wildlife as Part of the Daily Experience

One of the most unforgettable aspects of Villa Escalesia is its proximity to wildlife.

• Sea lions can often be seen swimming in the waters directly in front of the hotel, and occasionally resting near the infinity pool, while rays can also be spotted passing through the bay.
• At high tide, sea turtles can be observed feeding among the rocks along the shoreline.
• Marine iguanas regularly rest around the pool area, with a colony of more than 40 living beneath the pool bar deck.
• Blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and great blue herons are among the birdlife frequently observed around the property and along the waterfront.

For Fernando, Villa Escalesia reflects a simple but powerful idea: luxury and wild nature are not opposites; they can coexist in harmony.

What makes these encounters particularly special is that they are not part of a scheduled activity. They unfold naturally around the property throughout the day, allowing guests to experience the wildlife of the Galapagos simply by spending time at the hotel

 

Fernando’s Favorite Spaces

When asked which parts of Villa Escalesia are most special to him, Fernando highlights three:

• The oceanfront infinity pool
• The seaside jacuzzi
• The front courtyard

“The jacuzzi and infinity pool are right by the sea,” he explains. “You can completely disconnect from the outside world while simply enjoying the ocean views.”

The pool and courtyard areas reveal another side of Villa Escalesia. With only a small number of guests staying at the hotel, the pool often becomes a relaxed meeting point where travelers from different cultures naturally connect and share their experiences of the Galapagos.

Wellness in Its Purest Form

At Villa Escalesia, wellness comes naturally. It begins with the simple experience of slowing down and connecting with the surrounding environment.

Guests can embrace this sense of well-being through:

• Relaxing moments by the ocean
• Leisurely swims in the oceanfront infinity pool
• Jacuzzi sessions under the stars, overlooking the lights and boats of Academy Bay
• In-room massages available from a curated selection
• Quiet moments surrounded by the natural sights and sounds of the Galapagos

The sound of the waves replaces city noise. The horizon replaces screens. Here, wellness is found in simplicity.

Gastronomy Tailored to the Guest

Gastronomy at Villa Escalesia begins with breakfast, served each morning at the table and prepared with carefully selected ingredients. Guests’ dietary restrictions are taken into consideration with prior coordination.

Beyond breakfast, the hotel extends the experience through selected partner restaurants in Puerto Ayora, where guests can enjoy exclusive benefits for lunch and dinner.

Breakfast overlooking the ocean becomes an experience in itself, with views across Academy Bay and the possibility of observing wildlife in the waters just beyond the property. 

Sustainability as a Non Negotiable Standard

In the Galapagos Islands, sustainability is not simply a choice, but an essential responsibility in protecting one of the world’s most fragile and unique ecosystems.

Villa Escalesia incorporates responsible environmental practices into its daily operations, including:

• Strict waste separation and recycling practices
• Use of biodegradable products
• Measures designed to reduce water and energy consumption
• Responsible use of resources throughout the property
• Ongoing staff awareness and training in environmental responsibility

Villa Escalesia carefully selects the local suppliers and partners it works with, as well as the businesses recommended to guests, favoring those whose practices and values align with the hotel’s principles of responsible tourism.

Being Featured by Voyagers Travel Company

For Fernando, being featured in SCAPE Magazine was particularly meaningful, reflecting the dedication of the entire Villa Escalesia team and the genuine care they bring to their work each day.

He describes the feature as recognition of the hotel’s commitment to thoughtful hospitality and responsible practices. As Fernando puts it, “Being part of a platform that promotes conscious luxury travel shows that the work we are doing is being recognized.” For him, being approached and featured by SCAPE Magazine represents a meaningful affirmation of the direction Villa Escalesia continues to pursue.

 

Looking Toward the Future

Villa Escalesia has no plans to expand its number of rooms, preserving the intimate scale that has become an essential part of the hotel’s identity and exclusivity.

Instead, the focus remains on:

• Continuously improving the guest experience
• Investing in staff development
• Deepening the level of personalized service
• Continuing to strengthen responsible environmental practices

At Villa Escalesia, growth is not about becoming larger, but about continuously refining the guest experience while remaining true to the hotel’s commitment to personalized hospitality and responsible practices in the Galápagos Islands.
 

A Message to Future Guests

In Fernando’s words, Villa Escalesia is “a home where nature, comfort, personalized service, and genuine care come together”, an intimate and private setting deeply connected to the Galapagos Islands.

His invitation to those discovering the Galapagos for the first time is simple: experience the islands at their own pace, connect with their extraordinary surroundings, and leave with memories that remain long after the journey ends.

FAQs

1. Where is Villas Escalesia located?

Villa Escalesia is located on the waterfront of Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Its privileged location combines a peaceful oceanfront setting with convenient access to the restaurants, shops, and attractions along Charles Darwin Avenue.

2. How many guests can Villa Escalesia accommodate? 

Villa Escalesia features six individually decorated rooms and can accommodate up to 16 guests. Its intimate scale allows the hotel to maintain a private atmosphere and provide close, personalized attention throughout each stay.

3. What elements create a distinct experience at this hotel which sets it apart from other Galápagos hotels?

Villa Escalesia combines exclusivity, a privileged oceanfront location, and a deliberately limited number of guests with a highly personalized approach to hospitality. Rather than following a standardized service model, each stay is shaped by thoughtful attention, genuine care, and the individual needs of each guest. Set directly on Academy Bay and just half a block from Puerto Ayora’s main street, creating a rare balance between being connected to the heart of town and feeling immersed in the natural surroundings of the Galápagos.

4. Can I book a stay at Villa Escalesia online?

Yes. By exploring the following website, you can easily book your stay at this exclusive boutique hotel in the Galápagos Islands.