The political and cultural capital of Ecuador, Quito is a must-visit destination for virtually all travelers in Ecuador. Its historic center was constructed by Spanish settlers in the 1500s and most of the colonial architecture emains to this day. The area is so impressive and so well preserved that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other parts of the city feature exciting nightlife, museums, art, dance, live music and many other exciting activities. When planning your stay, we recommend investigating the following accommodations:

Botanical Reserve & Eco-Lodge San Jorge - Quito's only private reserve, 17 minutes from airport. 18th century Spanish eco-Lodge offers serenity, personalized service, delicious food, swimming pool, jacuzzi, lovely gardens and exotic birds. San Jorge spans four private nature reserves and three eco-lodges in the highlands, cloud forest, and subtropical rainforest. San Jorge's Tandayapa Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge will open December 2008. San Jorge's Milpe Eco-Lodge, features pristine trails, waterfalls, panoramic views, 300 varieties of orchids, 450 species of birds. Eco-tours include horseback riding, birdwatching, hiking/nature expeditions, mountain biking; education on ecology, botany, ornithology, and awareness of the surrounding environment.


Hostal Santa Barbara – A beautiful colonial residence transformed into a comfortable inn, Hotel Santa Barbara features luxurious gardens and impeccable service. Recently, it was declared a Quito Cultural Heritage site for its traditional style and beauty. The current owner is an Italian geologist who, after working in many countries, was so amazed by the house’s beauty that he decided to convert it into a cozy hotel. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the modern city, a few minutes from the main malls, restaurants and night-life. It offers a warm, elegant and comfortable environment with outstanding service.

Hostal Alcalá – Comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and a tranquil location on a side street in the heart of Quito's main tourist district make Hostal Alcalá one of the city's best places to stay. Don't believe it? Check out any Ecuadorian guidebook, they've regularly earned an honorable mention for the last 12 years! With a famous buffet breakfast which includes assorted fruits and fruit juices, eggs, pancakes, cereals, toast with butter and jellies, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Amenities and services include a kitchen and laundry facilities, secure parking, cable TV, airport pickup, and more.

Apart-Hotel Amaranta – Luxurious, apartment-style suites located in one of the safest and most central residential neighborhoods in Quito. Each suite has a private kitchen, living room, dining area, separate bedroom, and private bathroom, as well as cable TV. Also offering 2 magnificent penthouses, each suite with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, able to accommodate 8 to 10 people. Other services on site include laundry, local travel arrangements, an 80 person conference room, and Serrano's Bar and Grill, available for your dining needs, with excellent cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and well-stocked bar.

Antinea Apart-Hotel – A charming French boutique hotel, declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, and located in the heart of Quito’s nightlife-filled Mariscal neighborhood. Antinea's suites, rooms and furnished apartments are a home away from home for leisure and business travelers alike. Each room and suite are unique , filled with charm and decorated with good taste and class. Antinea is located close to Quito’s best restaurants, bars, and shops, and is only 15 minutes from both Quito's historic center and the airport.

Hotel Bambú – This beach-front hotel in the small, sleepy fishing village of Canoa is the ideal escape for those who want some serious rest and relaxation without crowds of tourists. When you’re not relaxing on the beach, you can surf, mountain bike or even paraglide. Afterwards, dine on exquisite seafood plucked straight from the sea outside your door and prepared in the hotel's renowned restaurant.

Folklore Hotel – A cozy, clean, and friendly place to stay in Quito, this small, family-run hotel is located in La Floresta, a safe and quiet residential neighborhood bordering the bustling tourist zone, La Mariscal. The airport and Historic Center are both only a short taxi ride away. The hotel provides free breakfast, private baths with hot showers, cable TV, laundry service, security box, and free luggage storage. They also offer tours of Quito and surrounding points of interest including the indigenous craft markets of Otavalo, bird watching in the cloud forest, hot springs in Papallacta and more! 

La Casa Sol – Charming hotel and cafe run by an even more charming Otavalan Indigenous couple. The intimate, sunny atmosphere will make even the weariest traveler feel at home, and coffee and conversation in Casa Sol's cafe is a great way to start any day. Highly recommended by The South American Handbook, The Footprint Ecuador and Galapagos Handbook, Let's Go Ecuador 1999, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide to Ecuador 2000, and the South American Explorer's Club.

Hotel La Rábida in Quito – An intimate and charming first-class hotel located in the heart of Quito, near many historical sites of interest, restaurants, banks, travel agencies, and shops. The restored, neo-colonial house has 11 rooms, each with a private bathroom, telephone, and T.V. Rooms with a terrace are available. The hotel has a small wine bar and restaurant that serves outstanding Italian and international cuisine.

Hotel Majestic – This charming hotel has the pleasant, friendly feel of a country inn and all the services and benefits of a large hotel. All rooms have private bathrooms, color TV, complete mini-bars, and telephone service. Internet service, a photocopier, and fax service are also available to guests. Customer service and honesty are the cornerstones of Majestic's success.

Hotel Sierra Madre –  This hotel was recently renovated and restored according to colonial Spanish villa architecture. The labyrinth of 21 rooms (five of which have balconies), sunroofs, and terrace create an enchanting setting, and Sierra Madre´s close proximity to universities, language schools and the South American Explores Club, make it a prime place to spend your time in Quito. Sierra Madre offers friendly services, laundry, color cable TV in the lobby, a well-stocked bar, large windows, a spacious dining area, and  characteristic surrounding difficult to find in modern Quito.

Sierra Nevada Hotel & Expeditions - Offering some of Ecuador's best expeditions and finest lodging, Sierra Nevada has satisfied countless tourists from all over the world since it opened in 1989. Owner and guide Freddy Ramírez is an expert in Ecuador adventure travel and specializes in climbing, trekking, and rafting expeditions as well as tours of the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest. Moreover, Sierra Nevada is one of the most comfortable, fully featured hotels in Quito with an excellent location, cozy rooms, and a friendly staff. Sierra Nevada's staff speaks English, French, and German.

Sol de Quito - A uniquely Ecuadorian hotel. Everywhere you look, from the furniture to the paintings and carvings covering the walls, you will find fine hand-crafted Ecuadorian works of art. Additionally, Sol de Quito is conveniently located near all of the City's major tourist attractions including galleries, museums, churches, parks, and markets.