El Cafecito Cuenca — Hotel in Cuenca

Very bad value for money. It needs a lot of improvement.

Tony is a cool person and gave us a lot of tips, but the overall experience of the hostel needs more maintenance.

Our room didn’t have windows outside , only 1 window facing the lobby - so we could hear everyone coming down the stairs or partying on the terrace - and the light in the lobby was reflecting in the room the whole night. Also, next to our bed was the window to the bathroom of the next door tenant - so we could hear them each time they used the bathroom. The room was clean , a bit too small for 2 people - and we didn’t receive any soap.

The price is definitely a bit too high for what you receive in return. Yes, the terrace is cool, but you can get this view anywhere in the city, without paying 45$ for a room (in our case, cuz we arrived on Cuenca’s Independence days), or ~20-30$ on a normal day.

I’m not sure why so many comments with super good reviews when the reality is a bit different. The location is good - very close to the center, the local markets and good restaurants / cafes.

Overall, I guess it’s okay for 1-2 nights...

I recently stayed at this hostel in Cuenca the first week of September 2025, and while the accommodations were simple and straightforward, it was the exceptional service from the owner and manager, Tony that really made my stay unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, he went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed. Not only did he offer great recommendations for local restaurants and places to visit, but he also helped me with bus trips and gave me detailed directions to make getting around the city easy, including downloading maps.me. When I had a minor medical issue early on in my stay, he even took the extra step of notifying a doctor to ensure I was well taken care of. It’s this kind of thoughtful, personal attention that really set this place apart. The hostel is in a fantastic location, making it easy to explore Cuenca, and while the rooms and amenities are fairly basic, the warmth and hospitality there made my experience feel special. If you're looking for a place with great service and a prime location, I highly recommend...

We stayed here following crossing from Mancora (Peru) and was a truly excellent experience.

The hostel is 15mins walk from the bus station but due to our inability to pack light we took a $2 cab and were dropped nearby.

The room itself was large with a comfy bed and a private bathroom. The social area on the roof was a real stand out with a view of the city and the square, a really nice place to chill out and have a few beers.

What really made the visit for me was the owner Tony who was very helpful with not only things to do around cuenca but as a bit of a professional traveller/ecuador and Columbia expert he helped us plan and get the most out of our remaining weeks in south America. We had some great conversations into the evening and although there weren't enough takers for the family meal we ordered takeaway and shared all together.

Coming here has been a bit of a highlight of our trip and would recommend checking this place out for a...