My family spent 3 days & 2 nights at the Pululahua Hostal last month. This is not just a hostal, it is an experience. We purchased a package and were picked up at our hotel in Quito by Renatto (owner). My husband went into the crater by car with our luggage. My son & I hiked in. Only a 45 minute hike through the cloud forest, surrounded by bromeliads and orchids. The cabin was clean with a great deck, view, water pressure and a lit fire every night after dinner. We used mountain bikes (included in package) and toured the crater. The hiking possibilities are endless. All meals were included and they were tasty, healthy and sourced locally. This was probably the best experience of our 3 week visit to Ecuador.

This is primarily a review recommending a visit to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, but while you're there, I recommend staying at the Pululahua Hostal, described at greater length by other reviewers, and mentioned briefly at the end of this review.
The first surface I'm referring to is the volcano as seen from the rim, which is gorgeous in itself. I tend to be curious when I'm traveling, and I was curious to see what this botanical reserve was all about. I first saw it from the Hotel El Crater at the Mirador above the volcano. Then I drove to the road leading to the park entrance a few kilometers farther west (Moraspungo sector, near Calacali). I was driving a Chevy Spark, not the sort of vehicle most people would normally consider for rough-road driving; but I'm writing this review partly to encourage anyone with similar curiosity not to be put off by the already-evident challenge of just getting to the park entrance at the top of the volcano. In short, I had not made any reservations and didn't really know what to expect.
The second surface to look beneath is what you can see from the road leading down the inside of the volcano, not because the vistas are not equally gorgeous as that from the top, but because another dimension of natural beauty is not available until you finally reach the trails in the caldera on foot (or horseback). In short, again, the payoff is worth the effort.
And I agree with all the comments made about Pululahua Hostal, which I believe is also the only place available just about every day year-round. On this trip I had a loose itinerary which constrained me from enjoying more than one of the shorter trails the afternoon of my arrival. When I go back, I plan to spend more time there and, at least, rent a GPS to get me to, and back from, some of the trails farther from the hostal.

Stayed 3 nights at the Pululahua Hostal this month. Did 2 very nice hikes along the bottom of the crater and along the cloud forest walls. Quiet with beautiful views.
We felt pampered by the staff. Hot water bottle for the sheets at night. A fire lit in the fireplace in our room before we headed over there after dinner.
Food was excellent and very reasonably priced.
Did a day of birdwatching with Renato, who along with his wife Paola owns the hotel. Spent a full day along the crater rim, then to the heights of Yanacocha, then the back way into Mindo where Renato, a great guide, dropped us off.
We hired a car to get us into the crater. Other option is bus from Mitad del Mundo to crater edge, then walk down a steep trail that takes you to the Hostal.
Jerry
Boise

We had a group of friends that stayed here for the purpose of birding Ecuador. Our room was a bit chilly, but they provided an extra sleeping bag and a hot water bottle that made it all better. Renato, Paola, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating to our crazy schedule! Breakfast was ready at all hours of the morning, lunch packed for us, and dinner served upon our return. The coffee was delicious and they made awesome cocktails too! The scenery is amazing!

Renato was a great guide and very knowledgeable of the birds! He put a lot of effort and thought into our tour. I very much appreciated his effort to direct our tourism dollars to support local communities' conservation efforts!