Modern house with a concrete exterior and large glass windows, featuring an outdoor patio with wooden chairs and a hanging hammock under a pergola, surrounded by greenery and grass.

Montemar

On the Galapagos Islands, there is a place that feels less like a classic hotel and more like a private home in the midst of wilderness. Montemar is nestled in a vast, hotel-owned nature reserve on Santa Cruz, which is shared exclusively with the giant tortoises that live there. Designed by a local biologist and an ecologist, the property combines modern high-end comfort with an uncompromising, sustainable philosophy. The entire atmosphere is characterized by a deep silence, the sound of nature, and absolute privacy. It is a modern retreat for travelers seeking authentic grounding without wanting to forgo first-class design and exclusive service.

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Details

  • Country

    Ecuador

  • Place

    Galapagos Islands

  • Price

    from €750 per night/person

  • Best travel time

    Year-round

Rooms

The exclusive living experience is spread across only two standalone villas, elegantly combining modern architecture with the island's organic materials. The spacious Villa Tortuga accommodates up to eight guests in its four bedrooms, while the more intimate Villa Lechuza provides a perfect refuge for a maximum of four people with its two bedrooms. Both units are oriented to the south and west, allowing floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows to reveal views of the Pacific and the surrounding reserve. Equipped with flowing living areas, private kitchens, and outdoor decks for al fresco dining, the villas guarantee absolute independence and a deep sense of a private home.

View from inside a modern bedroom looking out through large glass doors onto a tortoise in a garden with green grass and trees in the background during daylight.
Modern villa veranda with glass roof and walls, featuring a white hammock and outdoor seating surrounded by greenery.
A bright bedroom with a bed featuring beige bedding and large floor-to-ceiling windows showing greenery and a tortoise on a path outside.
Cozy living room with modern white chairs, wooden multi-level tables, a fireplace, vibrant fish-themed wall art, and a black cat lying on a rug.

Culinary

The estate's gastronomy follows a consistent farm-to-table concept that puts the freshness of island products at the forefront. In the private villas, private chefs craft tailored menus that artfully combine organic ingredients from the estate's own garden and local producers. Each meal is meticulously adjusted to the personal preferences and diets of the guests to create an absolutely private restaurant experience. A special highlight is the sustainably grown Arabica coffee from the estate, whose proceeds directly benefit the protection of the giant tortoises. Enjoying it on the private terrace in the morning makes the philosophy of the house, connecting luxury and conservation, authentically tangible.

A kitchen and dining area in a villa with a man preparing food at the kitchen island and a woman pouring juice at the dining table set for breakfast.
People using chopsticks to eat food from square white plates on a wooden table, with drinks and utensils nearby.
A man wearing a black shirt and cap interacts with two children in a garden, holding fresh leafy greens while the children look on and reach out.
A man wearing a black cap and shirt operates a wood-fired oven outdoors at dusk, with flames visible inside the oven and a dark sky in the background.

Activities

The experiences surrounding Montemar combine active exploration of the Galapagos Islands with moments of deep relaxation. The location in the highlands provides the perfect starting point for guided explorations of the reserve, hikes, or mountain biking tours, while exclusive yacht excursions and snorkeling trips allow for experiencing the maritime diversity of the archipelago. Those seeking tranquility can use the on-site yoga and meditation area or rejuvenate through holistic wellness treatments. Additionally, guests can build a deep, personal connection with this unique ecosystem through interactive coffee workshops directly on the plantation or by participating in projects to protect the giant tortoises.

Three people sitting around a wooden table preparing coffee with a French press and various coffee accessories in a cozy indoor setting.
A large bird perched on black volcanic rocks near the sea with a woman in a bikini and a photographer in the background, and a white ship anchored in the water.
A woman holding hands with two young girls wearing hats and boots, walking on grassy terrain near two large tortoises.
Two women practicing yoga indoors with arms extended in warrior pose, with a natural green landscape visible through large windows in the background.

Location

Montemar is hidden in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, surrounded by pristine nature and absolute tranquility. This elevated location offers a pleasant coolness, far from the heat of the coast, and serves as the perfect starting point to explore the mysterious lava tunnels and craters of the island. Despite the private seclusion, the Pacific is never far: The vibrant harbor town of Puerto Ayora with its restaurants and private yachts for excursions into the archipelago is just a few minutes' drive away.

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Contact person

A man standing on a forest path surrounded by dense green foliage wearing outdoor clothing and binoculars around his neck.
Nils Lindhorst

Senior Travel Designer

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