Perched 400 metres above the town of Baños on the eastern flank of Ecuador’s active Tungurahua volcano, Luna Volcán Adventure Spa offers guests an extraordinary escape where wellness meets adventure. This 30-room boutique property spans 35 hectares of private Andean forest, providing breathtaking panoramic views that have become synonymous with transformative travel experiences in Ecuador.
Located just three hours from Quito at the gateway to the Amazon, Luna Volcán serves as both a standalone destination and a perfect complement to Galápagos journeys. The property features volcanic water pools, four signature restaurants, a spa offering 46 treatments, and direct access to waterfalls and hiking trails. Guests can also visit the famous Swing at the End of the World, just nine minutes away, immortalised in National Geographic and award-winning photography.
Since implementing SiteMinder’s distribution and revenue management platform, Luna Volcán has experienced remarkable success, with room revenue increasing by 363.7% in the first year of implementing SiteMinder’s software. This dramatic transformation demonstrates how the right technology partnership can unlock a property’s full potential.
From fragmented systems to unified success
Before SiteMinder, Luna Volcán faced the challenges common to rapidly growing properties: disconnected systems that created operational inefficiencies and revenue risks.
“Before implementing SiteMinder, our systems operated independently—there was no integration between the PMS, the booking engine, and the OTAs. This lack of connectivity made our online distribution fragmented and inefficient,” explains Gabriel Freire, Digital Marketing Manager.
“Overbookings were a real risk, and our sales team was spending valuable time on manual updates and corrections.”
This fragmentation emerged naturally as the hotel evolved, with each department implementing solutions independently. Recognising the need for transformation, the team held a dedicated technology meeting to find a unified solution that could centralise their entire distribution strategy while preserving their existing infrastructure investments.
Seamless integration preserves existing investments
Luna Volcán’s selection criteria were stringent: they needed a solution that would integrate with their existing property management system, which was deeply embedded in their accounting, inventory, HR, and point-of-sale operations.
“After extensive research and testing, SiteMinder was the only platform that offered a reliable two-way integration with our PMS and direct connectivity with all the OTAs we needed,” the team notes. This compatibility meant they could modernise their distribution without disrupting established operational workflows.
Beyond technical requirements, the platform’s user experience proved decisive.
“The clean and intuitive interface stood out to me personally. I had tested several other solutions in the past, but none provided the flexibility, transparency, and ease of use that SiteMinder offered.”
Extraordinary growth across key metrics
The results of subscribing to SiteMinder’s platform exceeded expectations. Initially distributing only through its direct channel and Booking.com, Luna Volcán has progressively expanded to include Expedia, Airbnb, Hotelbeds, Hyperguest, and the full Channels Plus ecosystem.
Comparing year-on-year performance revealed significant growth:
- Room revenue increased by 363.7% (US$68,532)
- Total revenue grew by 354.2% (US$69,436)
- Confirmed reservations jumped 364.3% (130 bookings)
- Room nights sold increased 404.3% (237 nights)
- Average length of stay improved by 12.3% (1.7 nights)
- Average booking lead time extended by 24.2%
The property also strategically lowered its Average Daily Rate (ADR) by 8% (USD289) to optimise occupancy during traditionally low periods – a decision that delivered positive overall revenue performance.
“This performance confirms that SiteMinder’s distribution tools, especially the seamless OTA connectivity and access to Demand Plus—have transformed our revenue strategy and allowed us to scale efficiently across multiple channels,” the team confirms.
Channels Plus delivers operational efficiency
The implementation of Channels Plus has streamlined Luna Volcán’s multi-channel distribution significantly.
“The biggest advantage is that we can configure everything directly in SiteMinder including descriptions, photos, rates, policies—and that information is automatically pushed to every new channel added through Channels Plus. That centralised workflow is a huge time-saver,” explains the team.
While the property notes they’ve received limited bookings through Channels Plus channels to date, they value the efficiency of being distribution-ready across multiple platforms with minimal administrative overhead.
“I still see great value in being ready and visible in more distribution channels with minimal effort—and I remain optimistic about its long-term potential,” they add.
Continuous evolution meets cutting-edge technology
What distinguishes Luna Volcán in Ecuador’s competitive hospitality landscape is their commitment to constant improvement—a philosophy that extends from their physical property to their technology infrastructure.
“What sets Luna Volcán apart is the breathtaking view – truly one of the best in Ecuador – paired with a product that’s constantly evolving,” the team explains. “Unlike many properties that remain static, Luna Volcán is always being renewed. This means guests—especially our loyal repeat visitors—discover something new each time they return.”
This dedication to innovation made SiteMinder an ideal partner. The platform’s continuous updates and expanding capabilities align perfectly with Luna Volcán’s philosophy of constant improvement, ensuring the property stays ahead of market trends and guest expectations.
A foundation for future growth
Luna Volcán’s experience demonstrates how the right technology platform can catalyse significant growth while simplifying operations. By unifying their distribution strategy through SiteMinder, they’ve achieved remarkable revenue increases while positioning themselves for sustained success in Ecuador’s evolving tourism market.
The property’s significant revenue and occupancy growth showcases the impact of integrated distribution technology. As Luna Volcán continues to evolve both its physical offerings and digital capabilities, SiteMinder’s platform provides the flexibility and scalability needed to support their vision for the future.
For properties seeking to balance operational efficiency with revenue optimisation, Luna Volcán’s journey offers a compelling example of success through strategic technology adoption.
