Hacienda Zuleta
Hacienda Zuleta dates back to the 17th century and is located at an altitude of 2,800 meters, between Cayambe and Otavalo. The hotel is approximately a two-hour drive from Quito. The hacienda is an active farming business and covers 2,000 hectares of agricultural land. The hotel was once the working farm of a former president of Ecuador. Today the hacienda is still owned by the well-known Plaza-Lasso family. There are seventeen unique guest rooms, all with a fireplace. You can enjoy good food in the renowned kitchen with products from our own cultivation: there is its own dairy, an organic garden, a trout farm, etc. The hacienda offers various excursions. You can discover the beautiful, centuries-old gardens on foot or take a horseback ride in the vast fields.
For more information see zuleta.com
Hacienda Cusin
Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th century estate. The hacienda is located at an altitude of 2,600 meters, near Lake San Pablo and 5 minutes by car from Otavalo. You can take a stroll here through the five hectares of landscaped gardens with beautiful greenery, ponds and patios. In addition, the hacienda offers a view of the mountains Imbabura and Cotacachi. You can dine in the accompanying restaurant, with vegetables, fruit and spices from our own cultivation, or in one of the restaurants located on the shores of the lake.
For more information see www.haciendacusin.com
Hacienda Pinsaqui
The centuries-old Pinsaqui hacienda once employed more than a thousand native weavers and spinners. High-quality carpets were made for export to different parts of the world. In 1790 the hacienda was transformed into a hotel. Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Latin America, spent the night here while in transit. At the end of the 19th century, the historic peace treaty between Ecuador and Colombia was signed in this hotel. The buildings have been beautifully maintained and restored over the years. The hotel offers thirty suites with a fireplace, a fine restaurant and several centuries-old gardens. With its quiet location, minutes from both Otavalo and Cotacachi, Hacienda Pinsaqui is highly recommended.
For more information see www.haciendapinsaqui.com
Hotel Otavalo
Je vindt Hotel Otavalo vlakbij het centrum. Het is dus de perfecte uitvalsbasis om het stadje te verkennen of om op excursies te trekken rond Otavalo. Hotel Otavalo was oorspronkelijk een radiostation en werd daarna een van de eerste hotels van de stad. Het is lang dicht geweest voor renovatie en de werken zijn pas in 2018 afgerond. Gelukkig heeft het hotel de mooie stijl van het oorspronkelijk huis behouden. Zo zijn de originele houten gewelven in het restaurant behouden. Er werd wel een moderne toets aan het hotel gegeven en alle kamers bevatten veel luxe en comfort. Daarnaast kan je er ook lekker eten en is er een ‘roof top’ bar met uitzicht op de Imbabura vulkaan.
Voor meer info zie www.hotelotavalo.com
La Casa Sol
La Casa Sol is located by the waterfall of Peguche, on the edge of the small nature reserve. It is a charming hotel with eight rooms and two suites. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, fireplace and a balcony that gives direct access to the gardens. From the hotel you have a beautiful view of the Andes mountains and the valley of Otavalo. The hotel is a 30-minute walk from the center of Otavalo and close to Parque Condor and Lake San Pablo.
For more information see www.lacasasol.com
Las Palmeras Inn
This 150 year old hacienda is located on the Quiquinche valley, two km from the center of Otavalo. The typical aspects of the hacienda have been preserved, such as the adobe walls, the fireplaces, the wooden beams and the beautiful palm trees in the garden. The hacienda has been converted into a comfortable hotel with various standard rooms and suites. All rooms have private bathrooms. Some have a fireplace. You can enjoy a nice walk and after the walk enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant of the hacienda.
For more information see www.laspalmerasinn.com
Posada del Quinde
This beautiful hotel is located in a quiet area within walking distance of the center of Otavalo and the famous Indian market. All rooms have heating and private bathroom. There are views of the large gardens or patio throughout. The native staff are very helpful. There are also two apartments for families or small groups of up to 7 people with the opportunity to cook. It is usually quite quiet here. Posada del Quinde is a good base from which to explore Otavalo.
More info and photos www.posadaquinde.com
Puerto Lago
Puerto Lago is located at the foot of the San Pablo volcano and on the edge of the San Pablo lake, a ten minute drive from the center of Otavalo. The hotel consists of a number of chalets, each with a view of the lake. For dinner you can visit the restaurant of Puerto Lago. The restaurant offers both Ecuadorian and international cuisine. The dishes are prepared with ingredients from our own cultivation. During the weekends you can usually also enjoy live music during dinner.
For more information see www.puertolago.com
Doña Esther
This hotel is located in the center of Otavalo. A few years ago the hotel was renovated with attention to the colonial style of the building. Doña Esther has twelve simply furnished rooms and a rooftop studio suitable for a family of 4. All rooms are arranged around a patio with many flowers and plants and have private bathrooms. In the restaurant “Árbol de Montalvo” you can taste different national and international dishes. In high season it is better to make reservations for the restaurant.
For more information see www.otavalohotel.com
Stay with a native family
In the cozy village of La Calera, just outside Cotacachi, you stay on the farm of an indigenous family. Here you have a small, but comfortable house with its own bathroom with hot water and a fireplace. The inhabitants of La Calera live from horticulture (vegetables, corn and beans) and weaving. You have breakfast with the family and get the chance to really go ‘local’. If you want you can participate in the daily activities of this family.
There is no better way to get to know the life of the local community! La Calera has a pleasant spring climate, do you fancy having lunch or dinner with the family? You can coordinate this with them perfectly.
I am Tom from Belgium and I have been living in Ecuador for more than 10 years. I got my guiding diploma here. Traveling and discovering new places is my passion. Together with the travel agency Descubre-Ecuador, we offer tailor-made tours in Galapagos and on the Ecuadorian mainland.