Hotel Boutique Portal de Cantuña — Hotel in Centro Histórico

There were inconsistencies with the review in Lonely Planet, which talked of the hotel being “lovingly restored”. The photos shown online also are misleading. While the central courtyard and several common spaces were quite nice, the rooms themselves are in a state of sorrowful neglect— I’d wonder when the last attempt at any “restoration” would have been. There is a “weird” vibe to this hotel— There didn’t seem to be a regular “staff”, only usually one person that kind of lurked if you needed someone. The rooms are dark, depressing, and dirty. The bed old and uncomfortable. Functioning light bulbs was an issue. A sense was given that this hotel is barely hanging on as a viable business. They only take cash for payment (there was something said about this being “standard” in Ecuador, while it is not) and in advance!||The WiFi was not good unless you were in the central courtyard||There was no barred soap left for use in the bathroom (but there was body wash in a dispenser in the shower); there was no hot water in the sink tap; the bathroom floor made a white towel grey/black when wiped (e.g. it was filthy); there was only one shower door covering the opening, so water went everywhere in the bathroom (and there was no bath mat). Only one bulb worked in the bathroom, and more needed to be found to provide even the smallest bit of light to see. Toilet paper was not replaced without requests. Unlike everywhere else we stayed in Ecuador, there was no drinking water provided (via a jug or bottled) in the rooms.||There is no breakfast on site as shown in photos— There was something vague mentioned about the kitchen. It was necessary to be walked to a local cafe for breakfast (where we needed to pay for an...

The Portal de Cantuña is amazing place to stay. You feel like you are staying in your family’s home. This can have bad sides, as it is clearly not a five star accommodation with a doorman holding up the doors, but the love that you can feel in the little details of the decoration and the warm welcoming and devotion of the young staff make it an unrivalled experience. If you want to feel the historic part of the city, this is the place to stay. It is well located in the historic centre, which is deserted after nightfall, but still felt safe.

Part of this family is Efrén Lopez who is friends with owner and staff (who all seem to be friends first place). He truly made the whole “Quito-Experience” unique. We hired him through the hotel to get us from the airport (including a sign with our name) and he surprised us with also offering tours around Quito. We hired him for a combined Mitad Del Mundo/Mindo tour and a second tour to Baños, which both ended up to be 12+ hours tours and we couldn't have wished for more. He was always punctual (me saying that being German), going with him felt very safe and he knows all the places well having been a taxi driver before. Last but not least his SUV was incredibly clean and came out very handy during the tours (roads!).

What should also be mentioned, that I was staying there with my (Ecuadorian) husband, so I would definitely call them...

This is a gorgous old building right in the heart of the old city by Plaza San Francisco. Communication from the hotel was good and we had a good sized room. There is an ecletic feel with the courtyard full of plants and inviting looking tables under a beautiful roof two storeys high. It feels historic. |Place was clean, service was decent, price reasonable. |Note the square outside is deserted quite early into the evening, the old town is busy during the day but empty at night, restaurants close quite early. If you want a busy night life head north to the more modern business district. |I'd give the hotel 5 stars if it wasn't for the breakfast that was really poor given the impression the rest of the hotel attempts to emulate. There was no menu - just asked what we wanted, and then the answers being whittled down to "how do you want your eggs" - that turn up unaccompanied other than some bread and jam. The Coffee was awful - however having travelled all over Ecuador this is a consistent experience in the country.|It is a good base for exploring the old town, would recommend to other travellers - especially if they offer a cheaper no...