The 8 Best Hotels
in Quito
Quito sits at 2,850 metres in a long Andean valley, making it the world's second-highest capital city and one of the best-preserved colonial centres in the Americas — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The city divides sharply between the atmospheric, church-crowned Centro Histórico and the polished, café-lined streets of La Mariscal and La Floresta to the north. Hotels in Quito range from converted 16th-century mansions with courtyard fountains to sleek contemporary towers overlooking volcanic peaks. Compared to Bogotá or Lima, prices remain genuinely affordable: a quality boutique mid-range room costs $80–130 per night, and even top-tier properties rarely exceed $250.
We've narrowed it down to 8 hotels across three tiers — 2 splurges, 4 mid-range, and 2 budget. The splurge picks lean heavily on colonial heritage and rooftop views, while mid-range options spread across different neighborhoods to suit different travel styles, from backpacker-adjacent La Mariscal to residential La Floresta. Budget picks are clean, character-filled, and genuinely good value in a city where the dollar goes far.
| Hotel | Neighborhood | From €/night | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Gangotena | Centro Histórico | €180–320 | Splurge |
| Hotel Plaza Grande | Centro Histórico | €160–290 | Splurge |
| Hotel Vieja Cuba | La Mariscal | €70–110 | Mid-range |
| La Cartuja Hotel Boutique | La Floresta | €75–125 | Mid-range |
| Hostal San Blas | Centro Histórico – San Blas | €55–90 | Mid-range |
| Fuente de Piedra I & II | La Mariscal – González Suárez | €80–130 | Mid-range |
| Community Hostel Quito | La Mariscal | €18–55 | Budget |
| Secret Garden Hostel | Centro Histórico | €20–60 | Budget |
Where to stay in Quito
Quito is a long, narrow city stretched along an Andean valley running north to south. Where you stay shapes your experience dramatically: the Centro Histórico immerses you in colonial grandeur but has limited nightlife, while the northern districts of La Mariscal and La Floresta offer restaurants, bars, and better air quality at slightly higher elevations.
The largest and best-preserved colonial old city in the Americas, the Centro Histórico is ringed by baroque churches, monastery squares, and 16th-century mansions. Hotels here are either beautifully restored heritage properties or modest guesthouses inside working-class colonial buildings. Prices skew either luxury or budget — there is little in between. It is quieter at night than the northern districts, and evenings in the plazas are peaceful and safe with the right precautions.
La Mariscal is Quito's tourist and expat hub, centred on the Zona Rosa around Calle Foch. It has the densest concentration of restaurants, hostels, budget hotels, tour agencies, and nightlife. Hotels here tend to cost 10–20% less than equivalent quality in the historic centre. It feels less romantic than the old city but is extremely practical — everything from visa advice to Galápagos bookings happens on these blocks.
La Floresta is the neighbourhood Quiteños themselves tend to recommend: tree-lined streets, independent cafés, the excellent Mercado La Floresta food market, and a small but growing art gallery scene. Hotels here are mainly small boutiques in converted family homes, priced similarly to La Mariscal but with a much quieter, more local atmosphere. Best for travellers who want to feel the city rather than simply pass through it.
The González Suárez ridge and the park-edged El Ejido corridor connect La Mariscal to the older residential areas further north. Hotels along this strip tend to be modern and business-oriented, with the best views across the valley toward the volcanoes. Prices are slightly higher than La Mariscal; the trade-off is calmer streets and proximity to the upmarket Swissôtel and similar addresses popular with business travellers.
Casa Gangotena
Occupying a restored 1920s mansion directly on Plaza San Francisco, Casa Gangotena is the finest address in Quito's historic centre. The building's art nouveau bones — marble floors, tall shuttered windows, wrought-iron details — have been preserved with care, and rooms are furnished with handwoven textiles and dark hardwood. The rooftop terrace looks straight at the 16th-century Franciscan basilica. Breakfast on the ground-floor courtyard is unhurried and generous, and the in-house restaurant is among the best in the old town.
- Faces Plaza San Francisco, colonial heart of the city
- Art nouveau mansion with original marble floors
- Rooftop terrace with basilica views
- 31 individually decorated rooms with Andean textiles
- Award-winning in-house restaurant
Hotel Plaza Grande
Hotel Plaza Grande occupies a colonial palace on Quito's main square, the Plaza de la Independencia, facing the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Only 15 suites and rooms, each with four-metre ceilings, antique furnishings, and hand-stitched Ecuadorian linens. The rooftop bar delivers arguably the most dramatic view in the city — the dome of the cathedral framed by Pichincha volcano. Service is formal and attentive without being stiff. Not a place for minimalist tastes.
- On the Plaza de la Independencia, Quito's nerve centre
- 15 individually styled colonial suites
- Rooftop bar with cathedral and volcano backdrop
- Formal butler-style service
- Walking distance to all major historic monuments
Hotel Vieja Cuba
A Cuban-themed boutique tucked into the lively La Mariscal neighbourhood — Quito's bar and restaurant district — Hotel Vieja Cuba is warm, colourful, and run with genuine hospitality. Rooms wrap around an internal courtyard, painted in earthy terracotta tones. The on-site restaurant serves strong mojitos alongside decent Ecuadorian-Caribbean fusion plates. La Mariscal's nightlife and dozens of restaurants are within a two-minute walk, making this the most practical base for social travellers.
- Courtyard-centred design with Latin colour palette
- On-site Cuban-fusion restaurant and bar
- Heart of La Mariscal entertainment district
- Friendly, independently run with attentive staff
- Strong value for the neighbourhood
La Cartuja Hotel Boutique
Set in a handsome early-20th-century house in the residential La Floresta district, La Cartuja is a quiet alternative to the busier Mariscal zone. The neighbourhood is Quito's most liveable — art galleries, independent cafés, and the Mercado La Floresta are all nearby. Rooms vary in size but share a tasteful colonial-meets-contemporary aesthetic: exposed brick, wooden beams, and local artwork on the walls. A small garden courtyard is the social heart of the hotel.
- Early-20th-century house in walkable La Floresta
- Garden courtyard ideal for morning coffee
- Near independent cafés and art galleries
- Locally sourced breakfasts included
- Small and personal — staff know guests by name
Hostal San Blas
Hostal San Blas occupies a refurbished colonial building on the northern edge of the Centro Histórico, in the neighbourhood of San Blas — historically a craftsmen's quarter and now one of the most authentic corners of the old city. Rooms are modest but well-kept, with tiled floors, thick walls, and small balconies on upper floors that overlook cobbled streets. The included breakfast features local fruit, fresh bread, and decent Ecuadorian coffee. A solid, unpretentious option for immersion in the UNESCO zone without splurge prices.
- Colonial building on cobbled San Blas streets
- Inside the UNESCO World Heritage zone
- Balcony rooms with street views
- Local Ecuadorian breakfast included
- Strong price-to-location ratio
Fuente de Piedra I & II
A pair of converted houses run as one hotel across two addresses, Fuente de Piedra has been a reliable mid-range fixture in Quito for decades. The style is traditional Ecuadorian — heavy wooden furniture, terracotta tones, interior courtyards — without being fusty. Both buildings have small lounges with good reading libraries and maps for trip planning. Staff are experienced at organising Galápagos connections, Cotopaxi day trips, and airport transfers, making this a strong operational base for Ecuador exploration.
- Twin-building layout across two converted houses
- Experienced staff for Galápagos and Cotopaxi logistics
- Traditional Ecuadorian interior style
- Central La Mariscal location
- Airport transfer and excursion booking on-site
Community Hostel Quito
Community Hostel has earned a cult following among backpackers and solo travellers for its rare combination of social energy and genuine cleanliness. Dorms are well-maintained with good mattresses and individual lockers; private rooms are small but smart. The downstairs bar-lounge runs free salsa lessons several nights a week and becomes a meeting point for travellers heading to Galápagos, the Amazon, or the Colombian border. Breakfast is included even for dorm guests, which is unusual at this price point.
- Free salsa nights and strong social atmosphere
- Breakfast included for all room types
- Clean dorms with individual power and lockers
- On busy Foch Street, La Mariscal's main strip
- Excellent Galápagos trip-planning help from staff
Secret Garden Hostel
Secret Garden is a beloved rooftop hostel perched on a hillside at the edge of the Centro Histórico, with a terrace that frames Pichincha volcano on clear mornings. The building is an old Quiteño townhouse with uneven stairs and a ramshackle charm that its guests love. The rooftop bar and communal kitchen produce legendary sunsets over the colonial roofline. It consistently ranks as one of the best hostels in South America and attracts a thoughtful, curious crowd rather than the typical party-hostel demographic.
- Rooftop bar with Pichincha volcano sunsets
- Old Quiteño townhouse with authentic character
- Walking distance to all colonial monuments
- Communal kitchen and home-cooked dinners
- Consistently rated one of South America's top hostels
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to walk around Quito's Centro Histórico as a tourist?
Does Quito's altitude cause problems, and which hotels help you acclimatise?
Are hotels in Quito expensive compared to other South American capitals?
Should I stay in the Centro Histórico or La Mariscal?
When is the best time to visit Quito, and does it affect hotel prices much?
Can I use Quito hotels as a base for Galápagos, Cotopaxi, or Amazon trips?
Is there a reliable taxi or ride-hailing app in Quito, and should I avoid street taxis?
How we chose these hotels
Our editorial team reviewed Quito's hotel landscape and selected 8 across budgets, prioritising properties that capture local character — heritage architecture, owner-run boutiques, surf-town informality — over generic resort-chain accommodations. Where two hotels are comparable, we pick the smaller, owner-run option.
None of these hotels paid to be included, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. Use the "View on Google Maps" links above to find each property's official website, current rates and availability. Prices are estimated nightly ranges in EUR for a double room and will vary by season and availability. Recommendations are reviewed every six months; this guide was last updated April 2026.
When to visit Quito
For everything you need to plan a Quito trip — neighbourhoods, food, things to do, day trips, transport — see our complete Quito travel guide.