Some hotels occupy historic buildings; a rare few make you feel like the history belongs to you for a few nights. Casa Gangotena, a Relais & Châteaux property in Quito's Old Town, sits directly on San Francisco Plaza in a 17th-century residence that later housed several Ecuadoran presidents. From the chandeliers and crown-molded ceilings to velvet sofas in the sitting areas, the place leans fully into its aristocratic past without tipping into costume drama.
The rooms are all different, a quirk of converting a centuries-old home rather than a purpose-built hotel. Expect high ceilings, muted colors and generous proportions; the reviewer's room looked over a quiet side street with the green hills around Quito in the distance. Bathrooms are a highlight: floor-to-ceiling Carrara marble, a choice of soaking tub or walk-in shower, and L'Occitane toiletries. Turndown service comes with a square of Ecuadoran chocolate — a small touch that keeps things grounded in place.
Food is where the hotel really earns its keep. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, with seasonal menus built around Ecuadoran ingredients: ceviche featuring the day's catch and macambo, empanadas in assorted fills, beef tartare with cacao nibs and chulpi corn, rib-eye, and shrimp gyozas in an herbed bisque. Desserts lean on guava, coffee, banana and local citrus. The cocktail list rotates too — the Flores menu celebrates native plants and flowers, with the Flor de Mashpi singled out as the standout. Beyond the dining room there's a wood-paneled bar, an airy patio for afternoon tea, and a rooftop with views over the plaza.
For travellers, the appeal is location as much as luxury. The plaza is the historic core of one of South America's best-preserved colonial capitals, so you can step out the door and be sightseeing within minutes, then return for rooftop sundowners. It suits couples, honeymooners and anyone doing a Quito stop before or after the Galápagos who wants character and service rather than a generic international chain. Book a dinner even if you're not staying — the kitchen is arguably a destination in its own right.
