Casa Gangotena
What We Love
- Free breakfast and afternoon Quiteño coffee are part of your stay
- Prime location in the heart of old town Quito
- Watch events on the Plaza de San Francisco from the third-story terrace
What To Know
- Free WiFi
- The outdoor terrace overlooking the Plaza de San Francisco is exclusively for guests
- This is a historic property; pets are not permitted
Amenities
- Bar
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant
- Room Service
Overview
The Lowdown
This 1920s mansion turned 31-room boutique hotel overlooks Quito’s grand Plaza de San Francisco. The guestrooms blend Old World opulence — spacious marble bathrooms, floor-length velvet curtains and elaborate chandeliers — with contemporary furnishings and Art Deco touches. The common areas are just as rich, with a glassed-in patio, a library stocked with Ecuadorian literature, and a lobby outfitted with cushy armchairs and a fireplace. When you’re not out exploring the capital, take a drink on the lovely third-story terrace overlooking the hilly old town, reserve an afternoon coffee or high tea (complete with empanadas and tiny sandwiches), or book a white tablecloth dinner at the hotel — executive chef Andres Dávila gets the ingredients for his inventive Ecuadorian menu from local markets and vendors.
In the Area
Quito — named UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site city, in 1978 — houses one of the best-preserved historic centers in the Americas, and Casa Gangotena puts you right in the middle of those charms. Linger in the morning on the Plaza de San Francisco, a cobbled square anchored by its namesake church, before setting off to wander the old city’s maze of narrow streets. For a splurge-worthy souvenir, visit the Homero Ortega store in Quito’s new town for a Panama hat fitting; the hats actually originated in Ecuador, and the Ortega family has been making the classic straw toppers for five generations.
How to Get There
Reviews
The Casa Gangotena is a fantastic place in the old town in Quito. The Quito´s old town was declared as Humanity Patrimony by UNESCO, thus staying is the Hotel was a great experience of the history of Quito.
Luxury personified. Great staff. Good location. Fine food. Everyone was helpful and went out of their way for us. Two of us are “foodies” and they took the 2 into the kitchen for a demo.
There was no downside to this experience.
As circumstance would have it, we stayed at Casa Gangotena 3 times in 2 weeks. We had different rooms each time. They ranged from pretty, but basic rooms to gorgeous grand rooms. Each was well equipped, with comfortable beds, nice fruit plates and a little sweet treat, good showers and in one, a huge jacuzzi tub. We liked that the key activates the lights so you can’t leave the light on when you leave the room. We especially liked the motion activated trash cans in the bathrooms, in a country where you do not throw even toilet paper in the toilets. This concept is hard for a North American, so the automatic opening trash can helps. Too much on toilets.
The restaurant offered an extensive buffet for breakfast with menu available as well. Very nice. Dinner at the restaurant gets mixed reviews: the food and service are very good but it feels too formal and old-fashioned for me.
On the other had, they serve a beautiful, traditional afternoon tea in the interior courtyard. The space is so pretty and the tiny savouries and sweets are a perfect pick-me-up in the late afternoon.
The hotel stored luggage for us between visits which was very convenient and the luggage was waiting in our rooms upon our return. The bell staff, wait staff, front desk, housekeeping and security staff were all very pleasant.
The location has its ups and downs. It is right on the square and many rooms have nice views, but Quito is full of pickpockets and seedy areas and this is not an area where you would walk after dark at all, and during the day you still need to be alert.
My wife and I spent a month touring several countries in South America. This hotel stands out by far as the best hotel we stayed in. We had two visits as we visited the Galapagos Islands in between and were extremely impressed on both occasions. The friendly welcome at check in and from every single member of staff was exceptional. When we sauntered down for dinner without a reservation, the restaurant staff explained that they were full as they had a big group but we could eat in the bar or the foyer. Seeing that we weren't keen on this solution, they hurriedly rearranged some tables in order to accommodate us. We loved the location in the old town and found everything we wanted within easy walking distance. The complimentary afternoon tea was a real plus even though we only had it on one occasion. I couldn't recommend this hotel highly enough for anyone visiting Quito.
Beautiful luxury hotel right in the heart of old town Quito. Felt very safe at this property. Great rooms, very spacious with a fantastic bathroom. Lovely touches such as turn down service. Restaurant & bar staff service was fantastic. Highly recommend this property.