Any opinions on staying at either Finch Bay Resort or Royal Palms Hotel? I see that Royal Palms is not on the water, is that a drawback for a 4 day visit? Will be doing daily cruises.

Both are quite expensive Finch Bay is on the ocean

and although quite overpriced the better property

Royal Palms is remote quite run down with dodgy baths

virtualtourist.com for honest reviews look at photos carefully

A short cruise on a luxury ship guanguiltaga.com or

galapgosislands.com far wiser also sancristobalbb.com

prettier island more to see and do if u must be on land...

casanaturahotel.com not bad not great...

redmangrove.com another option you might look at but

For me Casa Natura sales for vibe and price and deals for land.

But really the prettiest island for me is San Cristobal

greener far less touristy the only island that has a

Natural water source... lots better wildlife and diving

around Kicker's Rock...

casaiguanamarysol.com

HI! Both hotels have their advantages. Finch Bay is on the ocean, but you do need to take a very short water taxi ride to get there (5 minutes), but this is also what is captivating about it: it´s away from the "hustle and bustle" of Puerto Ayora.
Royal Palm is also beautiful, but set up in the highlands, a half an hour taxi drive from Puerto Ayora. They have hiking trails and lava tubes on-site which is pretty neat!
Depending on which day trip you take, your bus may have to go past Royal Palm on it´s way to the Itabaca Canal at the North end of Santa Cruz Island. (Day trips to Bartholome and North Seymour leave from up there).
They are both good options and offer good service. Good luck in your decision!