Hacienda La Danesa
Hacienda La Danesa used to be a large cattle farm. Now it combines this activity with running a luxury resort with top-level service. You can eat fresh cheese (made from milk from the farm), follow chocolate workshops (with cocoa from the hacienda) or roll up your sleeves to help milk the cows. The hacienda is an hour and a half drive from Guayaquil on the way to the Andes mountains, making it pleasantly warm. The estate has six guest rooms, all with air conditioning, bathroom, hairdryer, dressing gown and slippers. You can book in-room massages. There is also the possibility to cycle, walk, do tubing in the river etc. You can go horse riding, visit the nearby nature reserves, take cooking lessons etc. La Danesa is a good place to actively relax.
For more information see www.haciendaladanesa.com
Hotel del Parque
This beautiful luxury boutique hotel is located on the banks of the Daule River in the middle of the Botanical Gardens of Guayaquil Historical Park. The house dates from 1891 but has recently been restored with great care and an eye for luxury and comfort into one of the most luxurious and charming hotels in Guayaquil. It has forty-four rooms, all of which have been carefully decorated, ranging from Deluxe rooms to King suites. All rooms have large beds with elegant linen throws, HD televisions, a minibar and their own coffee station. In addition, the hotel has two restaurants: one in a beautiful patio and the other Casa Julian, known as one of the best restaurants in Guayaquil. The hotel is only a few minutes from the city center and ten minutes from the airport.
For more information see www.hoteldelparquehistorico.com
Wyndham Hotel
This modern 5-star hotel is located on the river dike, El Malecon. This beautifully redesigned area of Guayaquil is well located for the airport and most of the city’s attractions. It has 179 rooms and has all the amenities that a luxury hotel should have. The Premium rooms and Junior suites have a view of the river. Breakfast buffet, wifi and access to swimming pool and fitness are included.
For more info see en.wyndhamguayaquil.com
Hotel Luxva
This modern boutique hotel is located 5 km from Guayaquil Airport, making it a good base to catch national and international flights. The hotel has spacious, comfortable, nicely decorated rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning and TV. There is a nice swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a ping pong table and basketball court. The staff is bilingual.
For more information see luxvahotel.com
Iguanazu Hotel
The elegant Iguanazú Hotel is located 6.5 km from Guayaquil Airport, in a peaceful green area. This recently renovated Bed and Breakfast is run by a local family. All rooms have air conditioning, flat screen and bathroom. The hotel has a nice swimming pool with a view of the city. You can have a nice meal here or arrange transport with the help of the hotel owners to eat out in Guayaquil. The hotel rents out its facilities, especially at the weekends, for parties that are very noisy. To be avoided at the weekends!
For more information see www.nazuhouse.com
Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel in Guayaquil has 181 comfortable rooms and suites, all with air conditioning. Together with the cathedral, the hotel occupies an entire city block. There is a beautiful tropical swimming pool with waterfall and climbing garden. On the roof of the hotel is a gym with 2 squash courts, sauna, steam bath and massage. There is a sunroof with a view of the cathedral. There is also a restaurant and two bars. The hotel is located right in the center of the city and within walking distance of the new river dike (El Malecón). The airport is 15 minutes by car.
For more information see www.grandhotelguayaquil.com
I am Tom and I am from Belgium. I’ve lived in Ecuador for a decade and I’ve been working in tourism for 8 years now. Therefore I obtained my tourism diploma in Ecuador. Traveling and discovering new places is my passion. Currently I live in Guamote, a small village between Riobamba and Alausi. Together with the local travel agency Descubre-Ecuador, we offer tailor-made tours in Galapagos and on the Ecuadorian mainland.
I’m Tom from Belgium and I’ll make sure your trip to Ecuador or cruise in Galapagos goes as smoothly and pleasantly as possible. I have been living in Ecuador for a decade and have been working in tourism for 8 years now. Before that, I obtained my guides diploma in Ecuador. Traveling and discovering new places is my passion.
In South America, Ecuador is one of the smaller countries, but the country is hugely diverse in terms of geography, climate and population. You can visit the Andes, the Amazon rainforest as well as the tropical coast without taking extremely long domestic flights or transfers. And then you have the Galapagos Islands, a once in a lifetime experience. The diversity of flora and fauna per square mile is enormous. Ecuador is South America in a nutshell. Moreover, the country is relatively safe and little visited. The national currency is the USD and you have a wide choice of direct flights to Quito and Guayaquil from Europe and the United States.