My wife and I like to learn about the history and culture of the places we visit and came to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part to do just that. We did not know it at the time but when we stepped through the entrance of Casa Ordonez we stepped directly into that history in a way we had not expected. We became, in some very real sense, a part of a family and friends that witnessed and participated in that history from this hacienda style home for over a century.

Alberto, is the grandson of original owner and in perfect English helped us plan our itinerary in and around Cuenca and the rest of Ecuador for that matter. He put us in touch with experienced drivers and knowledgeable guides for local excursions, suggested museums and collections, and helped us make reservations for the rest of our travels in Ecuador. He found a dentist for someone that came specifically for the cost savings ("best dentist I've ever had" to quote him directly), set up contacts for people hoping to move here, found an excellent 1-on-1 Spanish teacher for me, reservations in restaurants for everyone... the list is endless.

His mother helped everyone with their individual needs and requirements from special teas and herbs for everything from altitude sickness, and stomach issues, to finding a way to get me hot coffee in my room at 4am (almost impossible in most of the hotels I've stayed in Latin America).

I've never found this much service and kind attention to the guests anywhere else. But I haven't even gotten to the best thing.

By just staying here we also became a part of the extended, international family of guests that each morning over breakfast discuss their adventures in and around Cuenca. This extended family includes not only current guests but "former guests" now living in Cuenca that drop by regularly for the excellent breakfast and to continue their friendship with Alberto and the rest of the family. Even people that have been here for years drop by for expert advice and information. All seem more than welling to share their experience and knowledge of the area with "newbies".

I've never stayed in a hotel quite like this. I don't even think of it so much as a hotel but as a visit with a family that let us experience their home, culture and friends. This experience allowed us to learn not just about the history and culture but let us experience first hand how that history and culture come together in the family life and values of Cuencanos. We've never had a travel experience quite like this before but we will be looking for it our future travels.