Hostal Chimenea SPA. — Hotel in Baños de Agua Santa

While there appear to be a number of hostels and hotels within and around Baños, we stayed at Hostal Chimenea. The walk from the bus terminal in Baños to Hostal Chimenea is painless – only a few blocks. If it is raining (as it was when we departed) the taxi is US$1. Per the directions posted on Hostelbookers, “From the bus station, walk 4 blocks along Calle Maldonado and turn left onto Calle Martinez. From there, you’ll find Hostal Chimenea around six blocks along on your right.” The directions are accurate however note that as you approach the intersection where you are to go left, you might see a sign for Hotel Chiminea. There is both a hotel and a hostal Chiminea. If asking for directions, just be sure to distinguish between the two. No biggie if you end up at the wrong one – they are not that far apart. Hostal Chimenea is across from the outdoor vendors. We found the hostel to be clean and our stay pleasant. The location is good, only a block or a few to just about anything (parque central, restaurants, hot springs). The owner/manager was friendly and accommodating, and check-in/out was easy. Pasted below is my personal review of Hostal Chiminea, as posted on Hostelbookers. Liked: One of the cleanest, more modern looking hostels we have stayed at. Clean hallways, and rooms, located right next to some of the hot spring bathing establishments and town square – although it is a small town. Balcony and view are nice, and management is easily accommodating. Easy walk to everything. Disliked: Pillows were hard as bricks. One of us chose not to use a pillow and the other awoke with a headache. Bathroom window could not be closed, and the noise from the rooftop terrace, and music playing outside could not be closed out. With concrete walls and tile floors (typical of the entire region) the interior noise echoed as well. However once the terrace closed...

I was on vacation from volunteering in La Paz, Bolivia and wanted to see some of South America before returning to Canada. I decided to book with Ecuador Hop to see most of Ecuador since it's a relatively small country. I spent a few days in Baños and they booked me into this hotel.||||I had a private room with a massive en-suite bathroom. My room also included a TV, Queen bed, one end table with a lamp. Instead of a closet, there were hooks on the wall for clothes and under the TV, there was an open concept closet/luggage rack. The lobby looked warm and cozy and reminded me of an abuela's living room.||||The bathroom looked like it was partially upgraded. The shower could've been upgraded to a glass-enclosed shower, but other than that, it had plenty of hot water. What more could you ask for?||||Outside of my room there was a balcony which was shared with the room next to me. Didn't matter to me as I only used it to dry my towel. My room was cleaned everyday, which was nice to come home to after spending a long, hard day at the spa or any of the hot springs. My hotel was affiliated with Huellas Natural Spa, and they were able to book my spa services for me.||||There is a restaurant on-site and breakfast was included in my room rate. The restaurant is also open for dinner, which was not included in my room rate.||||Another nice thing about this hotel is the automatic late check-out at 12:30 p.m.||||If you're going to stay in Baños, stay at Hotel La Chimenea. ...

Pretty cute hostal at the center of Banos. Its location is great- walkable to many restaurants, shops and tours. I booked a single room with private bathroom for three nights. It even included a balcony with views of a waterfall.||A few things I did not love...|- Breakfast was not worth it - don't pay ahead online. I would try breakfast spots outside or if you have to order from their menu on the spot.|- Showers were very hard to get right. I spent each shower constantly changing the temperature because it was always TOO cold or TOO hot even with the slightest adjustment.|- No microwave and access to kitchen-; I was told I could use the kitchen after breakfast but everything was locked up and stove would not turn on. Could not heat my food.|- I got a complete facial here that was very mediocre. I left with the face mask not completely washed...