Everything was great about my stay. I recommend this for budget type of travelers, but not 5 star vacationers. This place is more for a friends type of vacation, not romantic or splurging types of spenders. The only thing I did not like was the smell in some of the parts of the property. Probably due to rain as most of your time in Quito it will rain.

Be careful to ask about prices and lock it down. We were told the room was one prices and we were charged a lot more the next morning. All was decent but we would have preferred to stay in a lower priced hostel for the same experience.

Traveling again in Ecuador, my wife and I returned to our favorite hotel in the whole world, Hotel Los Alpes, an economical and welcoming romantic home away from home. Perched halfway up the valley about 5 minutes cab ride (US$2 in 2011) from Quito’s colonial Centro Historico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it hides behind rich greenery off a quiet side street near the former US Embassy. A set of cow bells rigged to the heavy wooden front door announces entry into a paneled front lobby and den with fireplace and bar. The Italian proprietor, Don Claudio, and his wife have filled every wall and nook with marvelous relics, porcelains, antique clocks and an eclectic collection of paintings, each piece with a story if you can, and you should, afford the time. The wood staircase creaks on the way to the dozen rooms upstairs and the solarium overlooking a tile-roof courtyard. We prefer sleeping in the back, with the window wide open in order to watch the changing light on 4000 meter Volcan Pinchincha. With easy walking or cheap taxi access to the most interesting end of the city. The best part: upon each return, enjoying the warm but sophisticated hospitality of the owner, bellman/bartender and intimate in-house restaurant. Included breakfast, WIFI, well-traveled clientele and unlimited charm.

This is a very comfortable, welcoming and pleasant little hotel. I have been to Quito several times but usually stay in private homes and this is the first time I’ve stayed in a hotel, but I must say that it didn’t feel like a hotel. When I came back after a long day (I was there for a conference and research), it really felt like I was coming back home. This is in part due to the fact that the place itself has a comfortable, cozy, homey feel and in part due to the friendliness of the staff. Every single person who worked there, from the owners to the night staff, always greeted me with a big smile and everyone was very helpful and accommodating.

The room was very clean and comfortable. Yes, it can be a bit cool in the morning, but that is typical for Quito (private homes don’t have heat either) and I was never really uncomfortably cold.

The location is great, in a pleasant residential neighbourhood close to the historic centre and within walking distance (10 minutes) of the main restaurant/bar/cafe district. They have wi-fi and there is a computer room if you don’t want to bring your own laptop. They stored my baggage while I went out of town for a few days, which is very convenient. Also, my flight left late in the day and they let me stay in my room at no extra charge until 4:00pm...very accommodating.

Quito has plenty of chain hotels, but I would highly recommend this place to anyone who wants a warmer, friendlier experience. The rates are very reasonable and it is great value. I will definitely be back.