El Belen — Hotel in Baños de Agua Santa

Banos might be low in altitude, but the chilled temperature and misty drizzle that met us on our arrival in July made it feel like we’d reached a hill station in the likes of India.||But, duck into the small courtyard of Hotel El Belen – a prime spot in the heart of town – and the community’s warm, friendly atmosphere starts to emerge.||Greeted by the lovely elderly owner, she was not only keen to make us welcome in the hotel, but also to feel some of her pride about her town.||The nicely appointed rooms are ranged on two levels of the courtyard, enabling guests to look out onto is abundant floral decoration.||While small, the rooms have everything you need – the modern showers, for example, are tucked into every available nook, and offer good pressure and hot water.||There are no facilities on site for food, but the hotel’s location means there is no problem. You can literally fall out the door and find a place for breakfast next door. Otherwise, it’s a quick few steps more to get anything you need.||Hotel El Belen is not the obvious choice in Banos, which is awash with accommodation options, but it has a lot to...

I spent a week in Banos in September 2014 and I stayed at the Hotel el Belen. My room was very clean and comfortable, although I have to say it was a bit hot during the day and evening. The window was just small and I couldn't get much of a breeze. The bath is very nice, plenty of hot water. There is no closet...only a small table to place a few items on. It would have been nice if they had some kind of pegs or hooks in the walls to hang things on. The courtyard at the hotel was very nice, and the staff was FANTASTIC!! All of them were very nice and very helpful. It was just a short walk...maybe 2 blocks from the bus station...maybe 3 blocks from the town park, and there is plenty of food and activities nearby. If I ever return to Banos, I would definitely consider staying at Hotel el...

I stayed there for 3 nights and paid $80. I only realised when I checked in that this was without breakfast. Obviously my mistake but that made it relatively expensive.||The room was good, clean and big enough. The bed was comfortable and the the shower had loads of hot water. There is also free wifi in your room. Not really fast, but it works.||They have parking in their courtyard, which I guess is great if you come by car. However, it also meant a lot of noise and the smell of diesel/petrol in my room. Generally, it was one of the noisier places I stayed in, but that might be Banos for you. I'd strongly recommend NOT to stay there at the weekends as they have rooms with bunkbeds and at the weekends teenagers from Quito come...