Aerial view of Pikaia Lodge situated on a lush green hillside overlooking a dense forest with a distant ocean horizon at sunset, featuring a modern building with an outdoor pool.

Pikaia Lodge

On the plateau of an extinct volcano crater in the highlands of Santa Cruz lies the Pikaia Lodge, surrounded by its own private giant tortoise reserve. From 450 meters high, the view extends over the dry savannah with its volcanic cones to the Pacific and the nearby islands. As a member of Relais & Châteaux, the lodge is also one of the most consistent eco-structures of the archipelago, with solar power and treated rainwater from its own roofs. Instead of fixed cruise routes, you explore the islands in small groups and return in the evening to a quiet house. Between the main building and the crater rim lies an infinity pool with decks made of Peruvian travertine, beyond which are only savannah and ocean. It is this change of busy days and serene elevation that makes the stay in Galápagos so special.

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Details

  • Country

    Ecuador

  • Location

    Santa Cruz Island

  • Price

    from 1,500 EUR per person/night

  • Best travel time

    February - April

Rooms

Fourteen units are grouped around a courtyard made of treated lava stone, just a few steps from the main building. The Terrace Rooms on the ground floor and the Balcony Rooms on the floor above measure 61 square meters each, eleven of which are allocated to your own terrace or balcony. Because the house is oriented east-west, you always look through floor-to-ceiling windows either north or south – at the Pacific with its nearby islands or at the savannah with its fog-covered volcanic mountains. The interior remains understatedly contemporary, with bamboo floors and bathrooms in Peruvian travertine marble, featuring a bathtub by the window. The two suites, each offering 74 square meters, provide more space: The Garden Suite opens to a private garden, while the Pool Suite opens onto an expansive terrace with its own plunge pool and a view of Santa Fe Island.

Modern lodge bedroom with two queen beds, large glass windows offering a view of trees and hills, and a small table with chairs on the terrace.
Balcony of a modern lodge room overlooking a forested hill during sunset, with a chair on the balcony and large angled support beams.
Modern hotel room with a king-size bed featuring white linens and an orange throw, large glass sliding doors opening to a balcony with chairs, overlooking green hills and a distant ocean view under a partly cloudy sky.
Modern bathroom with beige tiled walls and floor, a long vanity topped with two sinks, large mirrors, and a chair in front of the counter. A window at the far end brightens the room, and a set of towels and bathrobes are visible.

Culinary

What is served comes from the farmers and fishermen of the islands and meets in the Evolution Restaurant a cuisine with Relais & Châteaux aspirations. The restaurant is located at the edge of the extinct crater, allowing the view during dinner to extend over the infinity pool to the national park. The menus combine Ecuadorian flavors with international ones and change every two days, offering a wide variety over a longer stay. From the walk-in, air-conditioned wine cellar, the Maître d' recommends South American and international wines. After the day trips, the Lobby Lounge and the DNA Bar are the places for a cocktail or a local drink. In the Garden Corner, an open fire bowl burns in the evenings, where you can peacefully observe the color play of the sunset over the ocean.

Outdoor dining table with four wooden chairs set with white tablecloth, cutlery, and candles overlooking a lush green forest and distant hills.
A round table set with avocado toast topped with green sauce, a bowl of mixed fruit, a glass of orange juice, a cup of coffee, a water carafe, and a basket of bread in a cozy room with a view of a balcony.
A romantic outdoor dining setup at dusk with a small table draped in a white cloth set for two, surrounded by stone walls and lanterns, overlooking a distant landscape under a cloudy sky.
Modern restaurant interior with large windows, neatly arranged tables with white table runners, black chairs, and a central contemporary sculpture resembling DNA helix.

Activities

The discovery of the archipelago takes the form of a scientifically inspired expedition at Pikaia Lodge. The day trips are conducted with the lodge's own, 44-meter-long private yacht M/Y Vision to remote bays and snorkeling spots, with the central location in the archipelago allowing short travel times and two islands on full-day tours. While snorkeling in the marine reserve, encounters with rays and sharks are common, accompanied by certified naturalist guides who provide context to what is seen along the way. On land, the private tortoise reserve can be explored at a relaxed pace, while the minimalist Sumaq Spa opens its whirlpool towards the Pacific high above the slopes. The day finds a quiet conclusion in the Homo Sapiens Explorers Lounge, where a library on evolution and Galápagos, as well as high-resolution 3D documentaries, provide deeper insights.

Two hikers wearing hats and backpacks walking through a rocky, green bushland with the ocean visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
Woman paddling a yellow kayak on calm water surrounded by green vegetation under a clear blue sky.
A woman in a wetsuit sitting in clear shallow water near rocky shores, looking at two small penguins perched on rocks.
Four people standing at the back of a white yacht looking out over the blue ocean on a clear day with a distant horizon line.

Location

The resort majestically towers over the highest plateau of Santa Cruz, nestled between two extinct volcanic craters. This exclusive location in the heart of the Galapagos Islands offers guests a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view, from the lush green slopes of the highlands to the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. Despite the absolute privacy and deep tranquility amid nature, the lodge is strategically well located for quickly accessing both the remote paths of the island and the lodge's own yacht in the harbor.

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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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