City Travel Guide: Top Hotels in Quito, Ecuador
Choosing among the top hotels in Quito depends less on finding one universally superior property and more on deciding which version of the city you want outside your door. Travelers focused on colonial architecture and major historic sights will usually be happiest in the Centro Historico. Those prioritizing business meetings, restaurants, parks, and a more contemporary urban setting may prefer La Floresta, La Mariscal, Bellavista, or the area around La Carolina.
The strongest options range from restored mansions overlooking landmark plazas to full-service international hotels and modern independent properties. The guide below compares eight verified hotels across different locations, styles, and market positions, with practical tradeoffs to help you choose.
Planning snapshot for a Quito hotel stay
- Best area for a first cultural visit: Centro Historico, especially for travelers who want to walk to churches, plazas, museums, and traditional architecture.
- Best area for contemporary Quito: The neighborhoods around La Carolina, Bellavista, and La Floresta offer easier access to modern dining, offices, shopping, and parks.
- Broad hotel market: Quito has intimate historic properties, upscale business hotels, and polished contemporary stays rather than one dominant resort district.
- Transportation consideration: The international airport is outside the central city, so travelers should evaluate transfer time separately from neighborhood convenience.
- Trip length: Two to four nights gives many visitors enough time to explore central Quito while allowing a slower pace at the city’s high elevation.
Quick comparison of Quito’s leading hotels
| Hotel | Area | Best for | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Gangotena | Plaza San Francisco | Historic atmosphere and refined service | High luxury |
| Hotel Plaza Grande | Plaza de la Independencia | Landmark setting and intimate scale | Luxury |
| Hotel Patio Andaluz | Centro Historico | Traditional architecture at a less formal scale | Upscale |
| JW Marriott Hotel Quito | Central modern district | Full-service comfort and business travel | Luxury |
| Swissotel Quito | Near La Floresta | Business trips and modern dining access | Upscale |
| GO Quito Hotel | Bellavista | Contemporary design and park access | Upscale |
| NH Collection Quito Royal | La Floresta area | Business travelers and restaurant-focused stays | Upscale |
| Hotel Finlandia | Near La Carolina | Practical city stays and relative value | Moderate |
Casa Gangotena: A high-luxury base in the historic center
Casa Gangotena occupies a restored mansion beside Plaza San Francisco, placing guests directly within Quito’s historic core. Its strongest appeal is the combination of an architecturally significant setting, a relatively intimate scale, and immediate access to the Old Town’s plazas and churches.
Best for: Couples, cultural travelers, and first-time visitors who want the hotel itself to feel connected to Quito’s history. It is also a strong fit for travelers who prefer attentive, high-end hospitality over the anonymity of a large international hotel.
Practical tradeoff: A historic-center location is ideal for sightseeing but less convenient for travelers whose daily schedule centers on offices, modern shopping districts, or repeated trips to northern Quito. The property’s high-luxury position also makes it less suitable for value-led itineraries.
Hotel Plaza Grande: An intimate stay on Quito’s principal square
Hotel Plaza Grande faces Plaza de la Independencia, one of the defining public spaces of the Centro Historico. Its location is particularly compelling for travelers who want to step outside into the civic and architectural heart of the city rather than commute into it each morning.
Best for: Travelers who value a landmark address, a smaller hotel atmosphere, and immediate proximity to historic institutions. The setting works especially well for short stays focused almost entirely on central Quito.
Practical tradeoff: The central plaza can feel active and ceremonial rather than secluded. Travelers seeking extensive resort-style facilities, a large contemporary campus, or quick access to the La Carolina business district may prefer a newer full-service hotel farther north.
Hotel Patio Andaluz: Traditional character in the Centro Historico
Hotel Patio Andaluz offers another way to stay within Quito’s historic center, with an emphasis on traditional architecture and interior courtyard character. It sits within walking distance of many central landmarks while generally presenting a less rarefied proposition than Quito’s highest-end heritage hotels.
Best for: Sightseers who want historic atmosphere but do not require the most exclusive luxury tier. It can also suit travelers who appreciate interior architectural details and a sense of enclosure from the surrounding city.
Practical tradeoff: Historic buildings can have room layouts and circulation patterns that differ from standardized modern hotels. Guests who prioritize expansive contemporary rooms, extensive recreation facilities, or a northern commercial location should compare alternatives carefully.
JW Marriott Hotel Quito: Full-service familiarity for business and leisure
JW Marriott Hotel Quito is a large international luxury option in the modern city rather than the colonial center. Its broad appeal comes from recognizable full-service positioning, substantial public spaces, and a location suited to travelers balancing business obligations with sightseeing.
Best for: Corporate travelers, conference attendees, loyalty-program users, and visitors who prefer a larger hotel with an internationally familiar service model. It may also work well for travelers who plan to use taxis or arranged transportation rather than explore primarily on foot.
Practical tradeoff: The hotel does not provide the immersive Old Town experience of Casa Gangotena or Hotel Plaza Grande. Reaching the principal historic sights requires a drive, and the atmosphere is more cosmopolitan and full-service than intimate or locally residential.
Swissotel Quito: A polished base near La Floresta
Swissotel Quito is positioned near La Floresta, a part of the city associated with restaurants, cultural venues, and contemporary urban life. It offers a practical compromise for travelers who want an upscale full-service hotel without being based in the historic center.
Best for: Business visitors, repeat travelers, and guests interested in Quito’s modern dining and cultural scene. The location is useful when an itinerary includes meetings or activities across central and northern districts rather than one concentrated sightseeing zone.
Practical tradeoff: Travelers who imagine walking directly from their hotel into Quito’s most famous colonial plazas may find the location less romantic. As with other large business-oriented properties, the experience emphasizes convenience and facilities more than intimate historic character.
GO Quito Hotel: Contemporary design near Bellavista and La Carolina
GO Quito Hotel provides a more recent, design-forward interpretation of an upscale Quito stay. Located in Bellavista near La Carolina, it places guests closer to modern parks, commercial districts, and elevated city views than to the narrow streets of the historic center.
Best for: Design-conscious travelers, couples seeking a contemporary atmosphere, and visitors who want access to La Carolina’s recreational and business surroundings. It is a persuasive choice for travelers who have already experienced Old Town or prefer modern architecture.
Practical tradeoff: Most major colonial landmarks are not immediately walkable. Guests should expect to use transportation for Old Town sightseeing, and travelers drawn primarily to heritage interiors may prefer one of the restored central mansions.
NH Collection Quito Royal: Convenient for La Floresta and business trips
NH Collection Quito Royal sits within the modern city near La Floresta, making it a sensible base for dining, meetings, and trips that extend beyond the historic district. Its upscale international positioning is geared toward travelers who value consistency and functional comfort.
Best for: Business travelers, shorter corporate stays, and visitors who want to explore restaurants and contemporary neighborhoods in the evenings. The hotel can also suit travelers who prefer a manageable full-service property rather than a sprawling luxury complex.
Practical tradeoff: The setting is practical rather than monumental. Travelers choosing Quito specifically for colonial ambiance may find the historic-center hotels more memorable, while leisure guests seeking extensive resort features should confirm that the property’s urban format meets their expectations.
Hotel Finlandia: A practical option near La Carolina
Hotel Finlandia is located near La Carolina, one of Quito’s major urban parks, and provides a more moderate alternative to the city’s luxury international hotels. Its appeal lies in location and practicality rather than palace architecture or high-luxury ceremony.
Best for: Independent travelers, business visitors watching overall trip costs, and guests who prioritize access to modern Quito. It can be particularly useful for travelers planning longer stays or spending more time outside the hotel.
Practical tradeoff: This is not the choice for an immersive heritage-hotel experience. Travelers seeking elaborate historic interiors, an intimate luxury atmosphere, or a landmark plaza address should consider the Old Town properties instead.
How to choose between the historic center and modern Quito
Choose the Centro Historico when the trip is built around sightseeing
Casa Gangotena, Hotel Plaza Grande, and Hotel Patio Andaluz make sense when the daily priority is exploring central churches, plazas, museums, and traditional streets. Staying nearby reduces the need to begin and end every sightseeing day with a cross-city drive. The tradeoff is that modern business districts, large parks, and some contemporary dining areas are farther away.
Choose La Floresta or the La Carolina area for a broader city itinerary
Swissotel Quito, GO Quito Hotel, NH Collection Quito Royal, and Hotel Finlandia better suit travelers with meetings, restaurant plans, shopping, park visits, or activities spread across modern Quito. These neighborhoods can feel more practical for repeat visitors, although they do not offer the same immediate historic atmosphere.
Choose a large international hotel when predictability matters
JW Marriott Hotel Quito and Swissotel Quito are useful when travelers value extensive services, recognizable standards, event facilities, or corporate travel convenience. Small heritage hotels can feel more distinctive, but large properties may be easier for groups, formal meetings, and travelers who want a conventional full-service structure.
What travelers often overlook when booking a Quito hotel
- Airport distance: Quito’s airport is outside the central urban districts. A hotel that looks central on a city map is not necessarily close to the airport.
- Elevation: Quito sits at high altitude. Some travelers prefer a lighter first-day schedule, regardless of how centrally located their hotel may be.
- Topography: Distances that appear short can involve slopes, uneven historic paving, or busy roads. Walkability should be evaluated in practical terms rather than by distance alone.
- Historic building layouts: Restored mansions may offer more character but less standardization than purpose-built modern hotels.
- Neighborhood timing: A district that is ideal for daytime sightseeing may not be the best base for late business dinners, while a modern commercial area may feel removed from early-morning Old Town exploration.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Quito
Which Quito hotel is best for a first visit?
Travelers planning a short, culture-focused first visit should consider Casa Gangotena, Hotel Plaza Grande, or Hotel Patio Andaluz because of their historic-center locations. Travelers combining sightseeing with business may find JW Marriott Hotel Quito or Swissotel Quito more practical.
Is it better to stay near La Carolina or in the Old Town?
Stay in the Old Town for immediate access to colonial landmarks and a more atmospheric setting. Stay near La Carolina for parks, modern dining, offices, and easier access to contemporary northern Quito. Neither area is universally better; the decision should follow the itinerary.
Which Quito hotels suit business travelers?
JW Marriott Hotel Quito, Swissotel Quito, NH Collection Quito Royal, and GO Quito Hotel are strong candidates for business-oriented stays because they are positioned within the modern city and offer an urban, full-service experience.
Are boutique hotels a good choice in Quito?
Yes, particularly for travelers interested in architecture and a strong sense of place. Casa Gangotena, Hotel Plaza Grande, and Hotel Patio Andaluz offer distinct historic settings, although guests should weigh character against the standardization and broader facilities of larger hotels.
How early should travelers reserve a Quito hotel?
Booking needs vary by season, events, group demand, and room category. Travelers seeking a specific small heritage property or a particular room configuration should reserve earlier than those who are flexible among several large city hotels.
