The best hotels in Ecuador

A reliable budget option on Avenida 6 de Diciembre in the heart of La Mariscal. Rooms are basic but clean, with decent beds and hot water that actually works. The neighborhood has plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Staff are helpful with maps and taxi recommendations. Do not expect luxury, but for the price it is hard to complain.

This small guesthouse sits one block from Parque Calderón in Cuenca's colonial center. The building has original tile floors and exposed stone walls that give it real character. Rooms vary in size so ask for one facing the courtyard for quiet. Breakfast is included and features fresh local fruit and eggs made to order. A solid choice for travelers who want to be close to the cathedrals and markets.

Located on Avenida Charles Darwin, the main waterfront strip in Puerto Ayora, this hotel puts you steps from the ferry dock and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Rooms are modern and air-conditioned, which matters a lot in the Galapagos heat. The small pool is a genuine relief after long island excursions. Staff can book last-minute boat tours and snorkeling trips at competitive rates. It fills up fast so book well in advance.

This 17th-century hacienda sits outside Otavalo near Lago San Pablo, surrounded by volcanic peaks and working farmland. The gardens are immaculate and the common areas feel like a colonial manor frozen in time. Rooms feature fireplaces, which you will actually use at this altitude in the evenings. Horseback riding and mountain biking are available directly from the property. The restaurant uses produce grown on-site and is one of the best meals you will have in the Andes.

Set inside a restored 19th-century building at the foot of Cerro Santa Ana in the Las Peñas neighborhood, this hotel is genuinely one of Ecuador's finest mid-range options. The rooms are spacious and decorated with period furniture and local artwork. The outdoor pool and garden feel like a private estate in the middle of a major city. The location puts you a short walk from the colorful staircases and galleries of Las Peñas. Service is attentive without being intrusive.

Located inside a private 1,300-hectare cloud forest reserve in Pichincha Province, about three hours from Quito, Mashpi Lodge is one of Ecuador's most extraordinary properties. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the main lounge and restaurant look directly into the forest canopy. Activities include guided hikes, a cable gondola above the treetops, and night walks with spotlights to find frogs and insects. The all-inclusive rate covers meals, drinks, and all excursions. This is a serious nature destination, not a resort for relaxing by a pool.

Set in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island at about 300 meters elevation, Royal Palm offers a completely different Galapagos experience from the waterfront hotels in Puerto Ayora. The property spans a large private reserve with giant tortoise habitat on the grounds. Villas are spacious and well-appointed with outdoor terraces that overlook the misty gardens. The restaurant sources ingredients locally and maintains a serious wine list unusual for a remote island. A private shuttle connects guests to the town and dock whenever needed.

A restored Victorian mansion on Wilson Street in the La Floresta neighborhood, just south of La Mariscal. Each room is decorated with antiques, oil paintings, and four-poster beds that feel genuinely historic. The staff go out of their way to arrange private dinners and city tours. Breakfast is elaborate and served in the formal dining room. Couples and honeymooners consistently rate this as one of Quito's most atmospheric stays.

Reached by a short water taxi from the Puerto Ayora dock, Finch Bay sits on a private beach with direct access to snorkeling and sea lion watching. The bungalow-style rooms are comfortable and open onto lush garden paths. The hotel runs its own daily excursions to different islands with naturalist guides included. The restaurant serves fresh seafood and the bar overlooks the bay at sunset. It is one of the most complete Galapagos experiences available without boarding a live-aboard.

Housed in a 16th-century mansion on Garcia Moreno Street in Quito's UNESCO-listed historic center, this Belmond property is steps from the Presidential Palace and La Compañia church. Two internal courtyards with fountains and bougainvillea create a calm contrast to the busy streets outside. Rooms are furnished with dark wood antiques, high ceilings, and modern bathrooms that do not sacrifice comfort for aesthetics. The restaurant, La Bella Italia, produces some of the best food in the old city. It is the most polished luxury option in the historic center.