As Quito enjoys its year as the Cultural Capital of the Americas, this month the capital of Ecuador will have even more to celebrate: the opening of a new landmark hotel in the heart of the historic center, Casa Gangotena.
Situated in a newly restored historic mansion overlooking Plaza San Francisco, the three-story boutique hotel has 31 rooms, each with eye-catching style, contemporary design, modern technologies and quintessential comforts to impress the most discerning guests. Eclectically appointed, the hotel’s newly restored interiors draw the eye with Art Nouveau and contemporary touches combined with original Neo-Classical architecture while efforts have been made to preserve and restore the mansion’s original details, assuring an air of history and sophistication dressed up with understated luxury.
Each guest room features high ceilings, with king-size beds occupying 13 rooms, twin beds the other 18. Rooms include tall windows allowing lots of natural sunlight, with views of the historic square, the inner courtyard or the Panecillo hillside, while two rooms on the second floor can be interconnected to provide expansive accommodation for families and traveling dignitaries. Full luxury amenities are standard. There is also a stylish library outfitted with well-stocked bookshelves for relaxing reading.
The hotel’s logo uses the symbol of a shell—an image that appears throughout the house since it was an element of the Gangotena family’s coat-of-arms, as well as representing Saint James and therefore pilgrims, perfect for a hotel dedicated to hosting pilgrims of Ecuador’s cultural and natural spirit.
An original extra in the afternoons, the hotel invites its guests to enjoy the stimulating Quito tradition of a ‘Café Quiteño’ or Ecuadorian-style ‘high tea’—either in the glassed-in central patio or on the panoramic rooftop terrace. The freshest aromatic Ecuadorian coffee will be served alongside a host of original and invigorating teas. Drinks are accompanied by the Casa Gangotena’s take on the finest savory and sweet delicacies from Ecuador and beyond, including its very own line of single-source arriba chocolate. The hotel’s rates start from $375 plus taxes for Luxury rooms and from $480 plus taxes for Plaza View rooms.
Casa Gangotena, www.casagangotena.com