Casa Gangotena, Mainland Ecuador

rooms

Casa Gangotena's rooms are arranged over all three floors. Due to the property's heritage character, rooms vary in size, although all are comfortably ample, averaging 35sqm. All benefit from the mansion's elegant, tall ceilings, drawing the bright Andean sunlight into their interiors.

With rich carpets, towering window frames, flowing curtains and Art Deco-style furniture, such as desks, armoires, tables and armchairs , the design is both sympathetic and contemporary. All the rooms are air-conditioned, carpeted, non-smoking and sound-proofed, with en-suite bathrooms (nearly all with separate baths and showers) and with telephones, intelligent key-cards, Wifi and flat-screen TVs with international channels.

The eight Plaza View rooms enjoy wonderful views across the Plaza San Francisco, bathed in golden light in the mornings and resplendently floodlit at night. They are perfect for guests who want to feel close to hum of the Old Town, watching life on the square below unfold from the handsome French windows. There are 8 Plaza View rooms distributed over the first and second floors. They have a range of bed configurations: three double beds (2 full-size beds) and five king-size bed rooms.

Casa Gangotena's Luxury rooms invite guests to relax in style, enjoying the luxurious upholstery, plush carpets, fine linen and rich furnishings which adorn each room. They either have views on to Calle Cuenca to the west, on to the garden, or, in the case of the third floor, beautiful prospects to the south and the Virgin of Quito. Of the 21 rooms, two are on the ground floor, seven on the first floor, six on the second floor and two on the top third floor. They have a range of bed configurations: 14 double beds (2 full-size beds) and seven king-size bed rooms. One room is equipped for guests with special physical needs.

The Luxury Plus room occupies the end of the southwestern wing of the property. Striking neoclassical columns rise around the room, topped with ornate stuccowork, which interrupts the floral Art Nouveau frieze that runs around the cornicing. One wall is entirely taken up with an original mural of an Italian lake landscape, awash in blues and soft tones. The bathroom is particularly attractive, with two large windows, more columns and a decadent feel.

On the first and second floors, two Luxury Rooms are inter-connecting, providing more space for families and may be converted into suites. One of the rooms remains the same, with one king-size bed, whilst the connecting room can be arranged according to guests' needs. These rooms overlook the garden and receive the best afternoon light in the hotel, looking beyond to the hills of the Pichincha Volcano.

At the end of the southwestern wing of the property, on the first floor, the Balcony Junior Suite is undeniably romantic, with a balcony overlooking the garden and picture-perfect views to the Virgin of Quito atop her hillside.

Neoclassical stucco columns adorn the room. The bathroom is hugely inviting, two large windows drawing in the Andean light, while more columns and black-and-white veined marble complete the picture.

The balcony is a perfect ad on, where guests can enjoy the view to Panecillo Virgin, relax with a book or have romantic breakfast.

The Junior Suite is one of the most special rooms in the house. This room used to be the "tea room" of the Gangotena family. Situated on the first floor, the spacious Junior Suite features an original restored mural. The Junior Suite overlooks the garden and the Panecillo Hillside.

On the ground floor, two Luxury Rooms look onto the garden. (Garden II) offers a spacious King-Size Bed. Reserved together or separately, the 2 Luxury Garden Rooms are perfect for families. On the first floor, as well as nine Luxury Rooms and four Plaza View Rooms, the Balcony Junior Suite overlooks the garden with views south. One floor up, there are eight Luxury Rooms and four Plaza View Rooms. Two Luxury Rooms complete the picture on the third floor. On both the first and second floors, one suite can be separated to make two connecting Luxury Rooms.

Room 206 - Plaza View King
The 2nd floor of Casa Gangotena offers amazing views of San Francisco Square - none more so than from Room 206. The room used to be a Twin with 2 Full-Size Beds. Now it has one King-Size Bed, making it one of the most spacious rooms in its category:

8 Plaza View Rooms (6 King size, 2 twin rooms)
20 Luxury Rooms (9 king, 11 twin)
1 Luxury Plus (king-sized bed)
1 Junior Suite(king-sized bed)
1 Balcony Junior Suite(king-sized bed)
1 Suite (king-sized bed)

facilities & activities

A stay at Casa Gangotena Quito is all about soaking up the local culture, and whilst the hotel might not have a pool or spa, the hotel staff can direct you to one if needed, but there is plenty to entertain in the meantime. The hotel have introduced new daily 'experiences' - designed to give you a taster of the wonderful food, culture and history that is syonymous with Quito. Arranged dailye daily from 6pm to around 7pm, these tasters are bilingual Spanish/English and available free of charge to hotel guests:

Mondays are sweet indeed with exquisite 'chocolate tastings' offering a superb opportunity to learn the secrets and experience the delights of one of Ecuador's most renowned products: fine aroma cacao, considered the best in the world.

Tuesdays reveal the magic of the pre-Hispanic culture of Ecuador with demonstrations of 'limpias' body and spirit cleansing rituals, by Rosa Lagla, one of the most notable practitioners in Quito's historic center.

Wednesdays soar with 'San Francisco from Above', tracing the history of the San Francisco Plaza and its vast monastery. Gather on the panoramic terrace with spectacular vistas of the mountains surrounding Quito, the domes of the historic city center and the iconic monumental square for a fascinating look at more than four centuries of history.

Thursdays introduce guests to El Alabado After Hours, an hour-long immersion in a specific feature of nearby El Alabado Museum. Housed in a restored patrimonial house, just a half block from Casa Gangotena, the museum holds one of the best archaeological collections in Ecuador. Guests wishing to go deeper with a complete visit to the museum can acquire a courtesy ticket from the hotel.

Head out on Fridays to discover 'From Plaza Grande to Plaza San Francisco,' a 45-minute guided walking tour past some of the most celebrated iconic buildings of the historic center of Quito. Led by a local guide, the tour starts at Independence Square and finishes across the street from the hotel at the Plaza San Francisco.

Stay in on Saturdays - at least for a while - to discover the history of Casa Gangotena, a fascinating retelling of the origins, heritage and former occupants of the great mansion. Hotel staff, who really know their way around, narrate the tour.

Relax and refresh on Sundays with 'Agua de Frecos,' a short presentation of the herbs and flowers used in the hotel's signature refreshment - a rosy-purple-hued treat for the palate, prepared in house.

To enjoy a Casa Gangotena Quito Experience, guests need only sign up at reception and meet in the lobby.

dining

White table cloths, cosy loveseats, floral curtains and pastel hues – its like dining in someone’s living room, albeit a very fancy one. Quito-born chef Andrés Dávila serves crowd-pulling, zingy Ecuadorian fare: swordfish with plantain and peanuts, chulpi-crusted tuna, highlands’ style lamb stew and a locally revered red snapper ceviche.

From the stately decoration, distinguished yet relaxed atmosphere, great views of Plaza San Francisco or colonial Cuenca Street, innovative and superb gastronomy and top-notch international service, the Cedron Restaurant offers guests a unique, special and altogether memorable dining experience.

With a definite focus on Ecuadorian fare, prepared creatively and served imaginatively, the chef serves up flavors from the hHighlands to the Pacific Coast, incorporating an amazing variety of ingredients (always the best and the freshest), as well as original recipes and cooking techniques that result in a feast for the palate. Breakfast is served 6am–10am; lunch 12 noon–3pm; dinner 6.30pm–10pm.

The wine list is something to behold with more than 100 labels of fine wines carefully selected by art connoisseur’s sommeliers. The executive chef is a passionate wine expert and will be happy to recommend the perfect pairing for your meal.

The hotel offers 24 hour room service, from a tempting breakfast menu of eggs, pancakes and pastries; lunch-time salads, soups and sandwiches; and virtually the full range of the restaurant’s evening-meal menu.

Don't miss the famed Casa Gangotena Afternoon Tea, the local equivalent of the revered English High Tea. The Quiteño tradition of getting together in the late afternoon, at the end of a working day to enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with a sandwich or typical snack has been revived by Casa Gangotena and is offered either at the glass-covered patio or at the bar.

Ecuador is a producer of high quality coffee and Casa Gangotena offers some of the best. Tea-lovers are well catered for with tea varieties and infusions made from fresh herbs picked from the hotel garden. Chocolate is another classic or perhaps try the hotel’s signature Agua de frescos - an infusion of the southern Ecuadorian highlands which combines a dozen herbs, leaves and flower petals that energize and refresh you. All are accompanied by delicious appetisers such as: local empanadas, scones, mini sandwiches and a fine selection of sweet snacks made daily by the pastry chefs. The Quiteño coffee time is included in most room rates.

Returning after a day of on-foot adventuring? Head straight for the wood-panelled, country-club-style bar, sink into a leather chair and order a signature Cedrón Spritz: an oh-so-refreshing blend of rum, sparkling wine and lemon – you’ll feel suitably revived. A globe-spanning wine list, local beers and other cocktails are all on offer, too. You can drink in the bar until midnight.

family

Whilst it is definitely the kind of hotel that holds more appeal to grown-ups, children are welcome. Extra beds can be added to rooms and the restaurant will happily adapt dishes on the menu.

location

Bolivar Oe6-41 y Cuenca, Quito, Pichinca

The hotel doors open onto the most famous square in Quito, Plaza San Francisco- the heart of the Old Town.

Mariscal Sucre International Airport is an hour’s drive away and is served by American Airlines from Miami, Delta from Atlanta, Iberia from Madrid, KLM from Amsterdam and a host of South American airlines. We recommend a private transfer rather than self-drive in Quito, as the narrow streets can be tricky to navigate.