Central Highlands
The higher of the two refugios on Chimborazo, Refugio Whymper is – at 5050m – Ecuador’s highest lodging; don't expect a good night's sleep at this…
Must-see hotels in Ecuador
Northern Highlands
An immaculate lawn groomed by grazing llamas surrounds somewhat garish wood-and-brick cabins on Lago de San Pablo. The popular, white-linen restaurant…
The Quilotoa Loop
The cheapest and simplest of Chugchilán’s accommodations, this hotel has wood-accented rooms and clean bathrooms. The Ecuadorian owners serve tasty meals,…
Central Highlands
This rambling 19th-century hacienda across from the train station in Aloasí is your best bet in the area. It has exposed wood beams in the quaintly…
Ecuador
This ecologically friendly guesthouse is located inside the crater. It offers a handful of simple, comfortable rooms in a pristine setting, powered by…
South Coast
This colorful place can be found on a dirt road, near the beachfront outside of town. It's a peaceful spot, with not much around, and bungalows set amid…
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
A surprisingly good choice, considering the Mar Azul looks like a 1970s-era school building. Your best bet is one of the rooms that opens onto a small,…
North Coast & Lowlands
One block from the beach, near the curve in the road opposite the fetid Río Atacames, Los Bohíos offers clean, inexpensive rooms with tile floors and wood…
Quito
This friendly guesthouse has 11 pleasant rooms (dorm rooms with six to eight beds, as well as singles, doubles and triples with private and shared…
Lago Agrio
Tour groups favor this staple in the center of town, along a strip of midrange hotels. Arranged around a courtyard with a so-so pool, the sometimes dark…
Central Highlands
The ranch-style Releche, supported by thick wood beams and slung with cowhide rugs, has dorms and private rooms. Meals and packed lunches are available;…
Quito
In an attractive colonial house, the Fuente de Piedra has whitewashed rooms with wood or terracotta-tile floors and sizable windows (great views from some…
Quito
This fun, messy hostel with old furniture in a converted colonial house is good for those looking to party in Mariscal Sucre with other travelers. Weekend…
Northern Highlands
Ignore the inauspicious-looking lobby of this whitewashed three-story hotel overlooking Parque La Merced. You'll likely be pleasantly surprised by the…
Alausí
Located 1.5km outside town, this place has rustic rooms, fireplaces and whitewashed brick-and-wood walls, excellent valley views and plenty of common…
Otavalo
Very small rooms – couples seeking privacy might want to avoid – surround a welcoming, pebbled courtyard filled with hammocks. There's an on-site…
Tena
This attractively refurbished colonial-style home, tucked away on a quiet street, has public areas full of eclectic arts and crafts. Rooms themselves have…
North Coast & Lowlands
This cheap place is just a short walk from the beach (at the turn-off where Same’s main ‘street’ leaves the coastal road). It has five pretty comfortable…
Northern Highlands
Not surprisingly (at this price), rooms in this colonial-era building can't match the rather grand architectural bones and charming inner courtyard. All…
Ruta Spondylus
About 1 km up the path of the Ruta Colibri, this long-time resident, Werner Tanner and his family, who also are motorbike enthusiasts, can rent you a…
Mindo
Once the sun goes down, birds begin singing and feeding on the passion-fruit trees surrounding this property a few blocks north of the parque central. The…
Quito
The interior is less stately than its colonial-style exterior and the covered atrium is kept dim. However, the surrounding simple wood-floored rooms have…
Otavalo
Lovers of wooden interiors will find this Southwestern-style place very much to their liking, even if the polished, faux-wood decor shines like plastic…
Guayaquil
The rooms aren't as charming as the facade, but the Andaluz certainly has character. An antique theme runs throughout, including a large Singer sewing…
Otavalo
Although it needs an update (the '70s-era decor was passe in the '70s), this place is reasonable value. Couples who enjoy showering together, stay…
Pondoa Community Tourism Center
Central Highlands
Three cute brick chalets house comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and great views of the surrounding mountains at this community-run complex.
Guayaquil
Tangara has pleasant but fairly simple rooms, a small outdoor patio with hammock, and a lounge area where you can unwind after a day discovering the city…
Puerto López
Punta Piedrero is the last sleeping spot on the beach heading south (past the pier). It's a tranquil place with 14 clean, tile-floored rooms with TVs and…
North Coast & Lowlands
Just two blocks from the beach, these cabins aren't much to look at from the outside, yet all come with kitchens, two bedrooms, comfy furniture, plasma…
South Coast
El Faro Playa Spa is on the northwestern tip of Jambelí, accessible via a 30-40 minute walk from the pier along the beach or direct boat transfer. The…
Guayaquil
Only steps from Avenida 9 de Octubre and a few blocks from the malecón, the professionally run Palace is the best-located business-class hotel. It has up…
North Coast & Lowlands
This backpacker favorite right on the beach has clean rooms with softish mattresses and bamboo furnishings, and a sand- and palm-filled yard in the front…
Quito
A Quito landmark, this huge, 215-room hotel with a 1970s vibe sits high on the hill above Guápulo. Some of the rooms (all have balconies) and the 7th…
Central Highlands
About 500m from El Chaupi on the road to Ilinizas, Llovizna has a slightly unkempt Wild West air. The big rooms have firm beds and there are cozy, hobbit…
Montañita
Pass the river and turn right to reach this brick-and-bamboo building with a handful of simple rooms: the cheapest option is an open-sided loft (with…
Montañita
The most expensive place to stay in Montañita has a Persian theme, with big colorful domes on the top of the four-story building. It has all the…
Otavalo
They seem to have put a new layer of spit and polish (and perhaps tiles) on this convenient hostal, just a block from the bus terminal. Fifteen rooms…
Guayaquil
While it inevitably falls short of its namesake, the Versailles is a fair deal only a few blocks from Avenida 9 de Octubre. The large marble-floored rooms…
Cuenca
In a refurbished century-old home practically on top of the Church of San Francisco, the ‘Brotherhood of Monks’ B&B has high timbered ceilings and…
Otavalo
You won't be tempted to spend much time lounging around since there's no lounge, apart from a couch next to the reception desk. There is a rooftop terrace…
