My wife and I had a 10AM appointment not far from the hotel. We landed at Quito's International airport about 0915 and opted to drop our bags off at Cafe Cultura, rather than go directly to the meeting. After a twenty minute taxi ride we were met at the entrance of what appeared to be an old colonial mansion and welcomed into its beautiful garden, and then the hotel itself. The lobby was warm and inviting, made more so by the attitudes of the staff. Although it was not yet ten in the morning, the English speaking desk clerk said, almost apologetically, that our room would be ready in about ten minutes. I told her we just needed a secure place to drop our suitcases and we would return later. No problem. Request accommodated. We returned around 1PM, were shown to our room, and invited to roam the property. What a gem! This place is located on a major avenue in Quito, Reina Victoria, but you would never know it. Inside the exterior walls lies an oasis of trees, plants, and flowers beyond imagination that shield the property from the sights and sounds of the city. Lunch at the restaurant, while a bit pricey for Ecuador, was an absolute delight. Our sea bass and shrimp, that probably slept in the Pacific the previous night, were cooked and seasoned to perfection. Each meal was accompanied with a glass of Chilean wine, and served on handmade platters that added to our visual enjoyment as well. Our room, with decor reminiscent of a bygone era, had two queen beds with American style mattresses, feather pillows, and quality sheets topped with thick duvets. The polished pine flooring in the hotel creaked when trod upon, suggesting the presence of a long departed spirit, which, late in the night, lent an ambiance to the room that no amount of money could buy. The bathroom was a mix of Old World with its claw footed tub, a separate, modern Jacuzzi type shower, and his and her sinks. After an evening out in nearby Plaza Foch, we returned to the warmth of a roaring fire in the lobby, sank into overstuffed armchairs, and sipped Irish coffee before retiring to our room and an encounter with the "friendly spirit" whose footsteps were a frequent presence, if only in our dreams.

We had been to Quito before and very much enjoyed its charm. But Cafe Cultura is a "must see" sight in itself, if only for a night!