Haugan Cruises - Machu Picchu, Andes and Ecuador Land Tours

This is a very nice colonial style hostel/hotel with a great restaurant. The rooms are all decorated by a Chilean designer. Café Cultura is a delightful mix of English tradition and contemporary trend. We consider ourselves an inner city retreat, with an out-going personality and inspirational food. Some sixty years ago, the hotel was home to one of Quito's oldest families, after which it became the French Cultural Centre. The building was carefully restored over a period of four years, with special detail given to maintaining the unique characteristics of the original interior. The house is hemmed by a beautiful garden, with secluded seating areas for relaxing -- or watching our resident hummingbirds, doves and peacocks do their thing.

So don't be shy, ring the bell, come in, and discover for yourself why Condé Nast Traveler magazine recently listed Café Cultura as one of the three reasons to visit Ecuador!

On the ground floor you will find the reception area and cafe - bistro, together with the wood-panelled library complete with guidebooks, papers and magazines for your use. Fires are lit in our three large stone fireplaces every night, along with an abundance of candles, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of colonial life. Here you can relax in the comfortable leather armchairs, glass of wine in hand, basking in the warmth of a crackling wood fire.

From the reception area an open-gallery staircase leads to 15 of our 26 bedrooms. Each room has been individually designed in keeping with the style of the house and has its own en suite bathroom. Different artists have painted modern frescoes throughout the hotel, adding to its already unique style.

Once inside, you will immediately be seduced by the overall atmosphere of conviviality: the perfect mix of home comfort, the right level of discreet service, plus our own touch of eclectic culture. Indeed, while all of our rooms have individual features, some are more special than others with their own fireplaces, or perhaps a sunken bath. Our honeymoon suite boasts its own balcony - a conservatory converted into a dream-like bathroom with an antique tub.

Prices: From US$89 Taxes and breakfast are not included.