| |
|
|
| |
Romantic
Places in Ecuador
|
|
| |
Quito
Founded in the 16th century
on the ruins of an Incan city at the base of a volcano, the capital of Ecuador
was designated a World Heritage site because it has the best-preserved, least
altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and
Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía,
with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito'—a
fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.
Café
Cultura
Robles 513 y Reina Victoria
Quito, Ecuador
T: +593 22
224 271. 26 rooms. US$ 109-
www.cafecultura.com
Once a private home, then the French cultural center, this lovely 2 story mansion
with whitewashed walls and a traditional terracotta tiled roof was stylishly transformed
into a romantic hotel by architect-owner László Károlyi.
Hotel Patio Andaluz
NG-52 Avda. Garcia Moreno
Quito, Ecuador
T: +593 21 228 0830. 32 rooms. US$ 204
www.hotelpatioandaluz.com
Renovated 500 year old colonial mansion located in the heart of Old Town, a UESCO World Heritage site.
Ecuadorian Andes, Quito
Descendants
of prominent Ecuadorian families have opened their country estate haciendas --set
in awesome high Andean landscapes--to travelers.
Hacienda Chillo-Jijon
Nr. Quito,
Ecuador
T: +593 2 334 261. US$ 245, per person, includes meals and activities.
www.hacienda-ecuador.com
Perhaps the most luxurious hacienda in the Andean valley, it
epitomizes the life of the elite going back to the l8th century.
Still owned by the same family, this romantic hotel sits on
22 acres just outside Quito.
Hacienda San
Agustin de Callo
Cotopaxi foothills, Ecuador
T: +593 2 290-6157. 11 suites, 5 rooms. US $250-, includes two meals,
horseback riding and fishing
www.incahacienda.com
48 miles from Quito, this hacienda lies in the foothills of
the snowcapped Cotopaxi volcano. Originally a 16th century Augustinian
monastery, the current owner inherited it from her father, a
two-time president of Ecuador. The hacienda blends Incan, colonial
and European architectural styles using Incan walls, beautiful
frescos, and fireplaces everywhere, including the bathrooms.
Hacienda Yanahurco
T: +593 2 226 360. 7 heated cabins. US $179-,
includes horse riding, flyfishing and treking.
www.haciendayanahurco.com
A sanctuary for the Andean condor this 65,000 acre private ecological mountain
reserve encompasses the picturesque Sebretana Waterfalls, the Sebretana Cliffs,
and the Contadero Meadows.
Hacienda Zuleta
Imbabura, Ecuador
T: +593 6 266 2182.15 rooms. $510 per person, all inclusive.
www.zuleta.com
The presence of the Caranquis Pyramids on its 4,000 acre grounds gives guests
a glimpse into the world of this pre-Incan civilization. This intimate hacienda
is still the family home and guests join in family activities and dine together at a common table. Zuleta grows its
own fruit and vegetables, has a trout farm, a riding stable, an embroidery workshop
and a condor repopulation project; . The hacienda is located 68 miles north of Quito.
La Mirage
Cotatcachi, Ecuador
T: +593 6 291 5237. US$ 280-
www.mirage.com.ec
200 year old hacienda with garden cottages decorated in old world style A romantic hotel with peacocks wandering the grounds, crystal chandeliers hanging above, and staff dressed in the embroidered cloth of their region. Located 118 miles from Quito.
Hacienda Pinsaqui
Pinsaqui, Ecuador
T: +593 6 294 6116. US$ 108-
www.haciendapinsaqui.com
Four poster beds, antiques, and horses for riding to a nearby crater lake. The 200 plus year old hacienda is close to the legendary Otavalo market and to nearby craft villages. It is located 53 miles north of the Quito ariport. Simón Bolívar slept here.
Ecuadorian
Amazon/Ecolodges
Travel 1.5 hours by
canoe through the remote Amazon jungle to reach your lodge.
Kapawi
Ecolodge & Reserve
Kapawi Lagoon, Ecuador
T: +593 4 285-711. 20 cabins.
US$ 400-, incl. meals, guides.
www.kapawi.com
This ecolodge was built with the purpose of turning it
over in 2011 to the native tribe, the Achuar, with the goal to provide them a
viable economic opportunity that would not involve destructive development of
their pristine rainforest. The Kapawi staff will meet you at the Quito airport
to facilitate your flight and boat ride into the Amazon.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
