Hotel Colonial San Agustin — Hotel in Centro Histórico

My sister and I booked four nights at this hotel based on photos online from the hotel, the written description and location, as well as reviews. Even though we pre-paid, we left after the first night. ||||We arrived after dark, or we probably would have left before we even spent one night. The woman desk clerk both checked us in and lugged our two heavy bags up three flights of stairs. We booked a "Hotel Standard Triple Room with Land View". There were only two of us, but we wanted the promised balcony/patio as we were going to be there for a while. ||||The photos on the website showed a bright room with three beds, multiple windows, two padded chairs, a small stove/fireplace, an armoire as well as hooks on the wall, a desk, a colourful sink on a counter top through the door to the bathroom, and a balcony. The text accompanying these photos said "Seating area", "Balcony" "Patio". We were shown into a room where three beds took up nearly all the available space. The 'desk' was a shelf about eighteen inches by twelve inches. There was no seating area. There were two hard chairs, one of which was at the desk. The armoire had two hangers. There were no hooks. ||||The "landmark", "city" "inner coutryard" view that was promised was down into what looked like a garbage dump. There was neither a balcony nor a patio. No stove/firepalce. ||||The bathroom was minuscule. There was no pretty colourful sink and no counter top. The shower was so small I have no idea how a tall, large man would even fit into it. There was a jut in the wall and to actually stand under the shower head, I had to squeeze in with the right side of my body pushed up against the jut.||||Having not eaten because our plane was delayed, we went down to the restaurant. There, the same lady who had manhandled our bags up the steep winding stairs appeared, wearing a hairnet. Yes, she was taking our orders and apparently cooking our food as well. We ordered grilled sandwiches that came on the Eucadorian equivalent of Wonderbread, barely toasted. The fries were okay. The breakfast 'buffet' in the morning was an omelet with a choice of four ingredients, slabs of wet queso freso, a bowl with papaya, Froot Loops, more 'Wonderbread' to toast and juice that was so thick with pulp and foam it would barely pour. My sister picked up a bowl to put some papaya into, and showed me the crap left in the bottom from inadequate washing.||||When we returned to our room, there was a strong smell of sewer, as if the pipes had backed up. We each had a shower in the morning, and when we walked from the bathroom across the bedroom floor, our feet were black with grime. The sink was chipped and there was grey soap scum or something on it.||||We fled to another hotel.||||I sent an email to the hotel the next day and have still had no response, nearly a week later.||||I have no idea how this hotel has garnered any good reviews. There may be a room as pictured and described by the hotel, but we were subject to a bait and switch. For about the same money we spent there, we got a suite with a separate sitting area, a clean, bright, odourless room with a wonderful restaurant somewhere else.||||I live in Ecuador. I have stayed in colonial houses converted to hotels there as well as elsewhere in South America. Those colonial hotels have been charming and delightful and a fraction of the price of the San Agustin, with a plentiful variety of fruit offered for breakfast, wonderful breads, tasty food. Shame...

We stayed four nights at the hotel Colonial San Agustin. Good: This hotel is very central Compared to hotels in the surroundings fairly priced. We stayed in a 3-persons room that was quite spacious, but the bathroom was very small.

Bad: The lady working the lobby is only concerned with selling tours. Every time you ask for advice on the surroundings she wants to sell a tour. Breakfast looked good the first day, the day after we realized that it was left overs from the day before, e.g. Reheated coffee, old bread, etc. The first day we got fresh juices, after infused water (at breakfast). We used our towels two days than put them on the floor to get new ones, housekeeping just picked the towels up and hang them back up on a hook where my shorts where hanging. When we complained the lady asked if we were sure we put the towels on the ground. When we went out they came to replace the towels they hanged up and also took my shorts. When I asked for my shorts, the lady told me she saw the pair of shorts but didn't know to whom they belonged. The day after we only put one towel on the floor (because it fell on the wet floor by accident), housekeeping replaced the towel with three floor mats. Again when complaining it was a total disbelief on their part. We decided to book one of the tours they sold, besides being extremely expensive (we learned after), the guide was friendly and knowledgeable but greedy everything was on his time, he was constantly on his phone and almost killed us for speeding in the rain and fog.

And to make all worse... at check out the lady insisted that we had an open bill. We didn't consume anything at the hotel!!! She went through all her receipts and asked several colleagues before I called her out for being a fraud.

In conclusion if you just want to sleep at this hotel it is recommended, for everything else ask around (taxi drivers are very helpful) You can even send me a message if possible. I can bring you in contact with the...

I think I knew I was first in love w/this place from the minute I saw the purple (my fav color) in the lobby!

Found this place by accident and I am so happy I took a chance on it! The price was so right as it was completely renovated, but still managed to mingle the old rustic charm of the historical part of Quito it is in.

Initially had a bit of a time finding it at night as my taxi driver was not familiar is not prominent and you have to get buzzed into the lobby, but the girl behind the desk was absolutely charming, accommodating, and extremely helpful for my entire stay.

The rooms are small, but very comfortable, as are the bathrooms. The show-stealer here is the bed. Plush pillows and comforter had me passed out in mins after a long day. The walls are a bit thin, so you can hear what is going on in the halls/lobby, but my earplugs fixed that issue quickly.

It was such a nice touch that they give you a bottled water at check-in, as well.

I had thought my reservation had said that bfast at the cute little restaurant next door was included, but it was not. It was only $2.50, so no harm no foul and both the restaurant owner and front desk gal were very nice about handling and explaining the situation.

Again, the lovely gal (dressed in full traditional garb when I came down the next morning, which was another nice touch) at the front desk was so nice and graciously agreed to watch my luggage while I explored Old Town (the hotel is a mere 3-5min walk to Marin Central Bus Station) and went to the Mitad del Mundo. I came back and picked my luggage up before heading the airport (she was so nice to offer to arrange a taxi, as well).

I honestly wish I could have stayed here for more than just a night! Between the comfort of the room, the quality of the staff, and the location, you will not find a better place in old town Quito to stay...