Quito: Casa Gangotena

If you’re looking for luxury in Ecuador’s capital city, look no further than the Casa Gangotena. This Relais & Chateaux property in the heart of Quito’s UNESCO-protected historical Old Town is the perfect spot from which to base your exploring.

The Property

I stayed at the Casa Gangotena in June 2019. You can find a full itinerary to exploring in Quito here.

The property is located on the site of a former 15th century temple, was rebuilt during the Colonial period into a mansion for wealthy members of society, but met misfortune when it burned down in 1914. However, in 1924 the Gangotena family purchased the property and rebuilt the mansion back to its former glory.

The Room

We stayed in the Junior Suite, which is located on the first floor. The attention to detail is incredible. The room served as the Gangotena family tea room and an original mural depicting a hunting scene wraps around the room. Though, my absolute favorite detail was the pressed tin ceiling. Just looking through these photos again is making me relive the experience… I honestly can’t recommend this room enough. I’m not sure I’ve ever stayed in a more beautiful room.

The view from our room looked out over a courtyard and had an excellent view of the nearby Virgen del Panecillo, a 30-meter, aluminum statue of a winged Virgin Mary that overlooks all of Quito.

Fresh flowers, daily local fruit deliveries, and L’Occitane toiletries all provide the level of luxury you would expect from a Relais & Chateaux property.

Common Spaces & Dining

Everywhere you look in this hotel is stunning. There are multiple options for dining and they are all lovely. The atrium, Café Quiteño, is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a coffee or take afternoon tea. The dining room serves breakfast, as well as Sunday brunch, and has dinner service. Though, my favorite spot to visit on property was the rooftop terrace. Here, you’ll find signature cocktails as well as a food menu. It’s a lovely spot to watch the sun go down while enjoying a drink, overlooking Plaza de San Francisco. I was also able to get some great photos of the Winged Virgin from up there.

We didn’t eat dinner in the restaurant, but did enjoy their breakfast buffet and Sunday Brunch, both of which were delicious and offered a plentiful spread. And cocktails on the rooftop were a nightly occurrence!

Amenities & Activities

As it’s in the very heart of the historical center of Quito, the Casa Gangotena doesn’t boast a lot of private outdoor space. I didn’t find any problem with that, as the city (and all its exploring potential) is literally at your doorstep.

A lovely addition to your stay here is the complimentary activities the hotel arranges for guests. At check-in, we were able to schedule a chocolate tasting led by a member of the staff and a guided tour of a nearby convent, Carmen Alto. They have something on offer most days of the week, so be sure to inquire at check-in.

The Location

One of the best things about Casa Gangotena has to be its incredible location. Situated directly adjacent to Plaza de San Francisco, the entirety of the historical Old Town is directly within your reach. Did you know that the Old Town of Quito is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site? It was declared such in 1978 because of its being the best preserved historical town center in the Americas. The hotel itself actually falls under this UNESCO protected status.

Because of its central location, when you stay at Casa Gangotena, innumerable options await you for dining, shopping, and site seeing..all within walking distance (or a quick Uber ride). Just don’t forget to soak up those views from the rooftop terrace!

Price

The currency used in Ecuador is USD.

Casa Gangotena is a 5 star hotel…with a 5 star price! Rooms start at around $400 (prices may vary with season). You can usually find this price lower on third party sites such as Expedia. However, if you do book directly with the hotel, they might throw in other benefits, such as included breakfast. Definitely check out what your savings would be on Expedia and use your judgment.

Even at the higher price, I found this property to be absolutely worth the money. Aside from the historic beauty of the hotel, the staff were incredibly helpful, friendly, and professional. They had answers for every question I had and made us feel very welcome and comfortable.

Writing this article is making me want to return to Quito! Have you been to Ecuador or are you thinking about planning a visit in the future? Maybe Casa Gangotena is on your bucket list? If it is, I sure hope you can get there soon.