Quito's Hidden Gem: Hotel Andino's Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Quito’s Hidden Gem, the Hotel Andino. Prepare for the real deal, folks, not some sterile, corporate brochure – this is my experience. And believe me, it’s a rollercoaster.
Quito's Hidden Gem: Hotel Andino's Unforgettable Luxury Awaits! – Or Does It? My Honest Take.
Alright, let's be frank. I'm not a travel blogger. I'm just me, and I just stayed at the Hotel Andino. So, here's the lowdown, warts and all, because, let's face it, perfection is boring.
First Impressions (The Good… Mostly)
Finding the actual hidden gem can be a little… stressful. Quito, you see, isn't exactly known for its logical street numbering. But finally, parked and standing back, the exterior of the Hotel Andino? Yeah, it's pretty darn impressive. Solid, stately… maybe a little beige-y, but solid. Check-in was smooth, which after the car ride, was a Godsend. And yes, they have a doorman. I love a doorman. Makes me feel like I might belong, for a fleeting moment.
Accessibility - (A Mixed Bag, Sadly)
Okay, this is important. Hotel Andino says they cater to disabled guests. And they do have SOME facilities. An elevator? Yeah, check. (Thank goodness, because those Quito hills are brutal). BUT, and it's a big but, it didn’t feel completely accessible. The website mentions facilities for disabled guests, but specifics were vague. I didn’t personally require them, but if you do, call ahead and ask for DETAILS. Like, REALLY detailed. Because while they “say” it, I genuinely worry about the execution.
The Room – My Sanctuary? (Almost)
Now, the room. Ah, the room. This wasn't just a room; it was promised to be a luxury experience. I opted for the interconnecting room and it was… okay. The bed was comfortable. Blackout curtains? Yes, please. Saved my life from the Quito sunshine. Mini-bar? Check. And they did give me a bottle of water, so I didn't die of dehydration. The internet access – yes! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms – praise be! Worked great, too. But… and there's always a "but," isn't there? The decor felt a tad… dated. Think "grandma's tastefully decorated living room" rather than "luxury boutique hotel." Still, it was clean. Very clean. And they had tons of little details – those nice toiletries, the fluffy bathrobes, the hairdryer that actually worked (a minor miracle in hotel-land). The additional toilet was also a godsend in the interconnecting room.
- Room Quality: 7/10 (Clean, comfortable, but… a bit bland.)
 - Amenities: 8/10 (Worked! And the bathrobes were glorious.)
 - Soundproofing: 8/10 (Surprisingly quiet, despite the city noise.)
 - The Coffee Maker: Okay, this deserves its own paragraph. The coffee maker WAS… fine. Not spectacular. Not awful. But I had a craving for a real, strong cup of coffee. This just wouldn’t do. I started my day by popping downstairs to the coffee shop. Which of course, I always forgot to bring my room key for.
 
Food Glorious Food – (Mostly Good, With Some Quirks)
The breakfast buffet was… interesting. Lots of options, including Asian cuisine (I’m still pondering that one). Western breakfast staples were there, too. And the coffee shop was a lifesaver for my caffeine addiction. I will say, the service was… enthusiastic. A little too enthusiastic, at times. But the staff was lovely.
- Restaurant & Bar: 8/10 (Variety, but a little… much, at times.)
 - Coffee Shop: 8/10 (Saved my mornings. Needs stronger coffee.)
 - Room Service (24 Hour): Yes, please! (Order pizza, it was a lifesaver after a long day)
 
Relaxation, Spa, and the Pursuit of Bliss (Sort Of)
My real test for a hotel? Spa time. The Hotel Andino has a spa, complete with a sauna, a steam room, and a pool. I was desperate for a massage. The pool with a view was pretty great. However, I didn't get a body scrub, but maybe next time. The pool was stunning, and the sauna was good, but not outstanding. The gym was…well, it was a gym.
- Spa: 7/10 (Good, but not mind-blowing. The massage was AMAZING though. Thank you Maria.
 - Pool: 9/10 (Stunning view.)
 - Gym: 6/10 (Did its job.)
 
Cleanliness and Safety – (Top Marks!)
Seriously, they nailed this part. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection? Yup. Staff trained in safety protocol? Absolutely. Hand sanitizer everywhere? You betcha. The Hotel Andino clearly takes hygiene seriously. I mean, they even had individually-wrapped food options. Feeling safe in the middle of a pandemic? Important!
Services and Conveniences – (A Mixed Bag of Helpfulness)
The concierge was super helpful with booking taxis and giving directions. The currency exchange was handy. Laundry service was efficient. But the gift shop? A little… underwhelming, if I’m honest. The business facilities seemed well-equipped if you need to work, though.
Things to Do Around Hotel (Quito Calling!)
Quito itself? Amazing! The hotel’s location makes it easy to explore. The concierge can help, but you'll have to find your own adventure within the city.
Now, Lets Talk About the Bad
Okay, here’s the stuff that annoyed me.
- The Coffee: Strong coffee at the shop was not readily available.
 - Decor: Okay, I mentioned it. Slightly… dated.
 - Accessibility Details (Again): Needs to be clearer on the details.
 
The Offer (Because You Deserve a Deal!)
Okay, here's the deal, folks. If you're looking for a comfortable, centrally located hotel in Quito with all the basic amenities and a fantastic spa, then the Hotel Andino is a solid choice. Just be prepared for a few quirks.
Book Now and Get:
- Your first cocktail for FREE! (At the Poolside bar. You deserve it.)
 - Complimentary Upgrade (Based on availability; you never know!)
 - A special gift to help you through your stay.
 
The Catch:
- This offer is only available for bookings made directly through the Hotel Andino’s website or by calling their front desk.
 - Must mention the promo code "HIDDENGEM" when booking.
 
Final Verdict:
Overall, the Hotel Andino is a good choice, with many good qualities. I’d recommend it, with a little disclaimer. If you need perfect, then look elsewhere. If you want a clean, comfortable, and mostly-luxurious experience with a great location, and some truly excellent service, then give the Hotel Andino a shot. Just go knowing you are paying for the amenities, great location, and security. SEO Keywords:
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary for Hotel Andino in Quito, Ecuador, is gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "diary of a slightly discombobulated human who loves a good adventure (and a strong cup of coffee)."
Hotel Andino & Quito: A Rough, Tumble, and Gloriously Imperfect Adventure
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Adjustment (Mostly the Altitude's Adjustment of Me)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Okay, deep breaths. The brochure said Quito was at a "lofty" altitude. My lungs are currently saying, "Lofty? Try Everest, pal." Luggage carousel: the eternal dance of hope and despair. Finally snag my backpack. Success!
 - 9:00 AM: Taxi to Hotel Andino. The driver, bless his heart, probably thought he was transporting a slightly green-tinged corpse. He kept asking if I was "bien?" (Am I? I'm wheezing, Carlos!). Quito's city sprawl is already sucking the air from my lungs.
 - 9:30 AM: Check into Hotel Andino. Ahhhhh. The little oasis in the midst of this chaos is finally available. This place is not fancy but quite charming, a bit worn (in a good way). Friendly staff, immediately offer me coca tea. Bless them. Trying to convince my body it is not in open war with its current environment.
 - 10:00 AM - Noon (ish): Nap/Attempt to Breathe. I swear, sleeping sitting in the lobby chair to help beat that altitude issue. I need to recover…and I did.
 - Noon: Lunch at Hotel. The soup was glorious. The best part about the hotel food is its cheap price and good food quality.
 - 2:00 PM: Old Town Exploration Fails (and Succeeds). I foolishly thought I could waltz into the historical center on day one. Nope. Five minutes in, I'm ready to collapse. But, I did manage to see a glimpse of the Plaza Grande, felt a bit short on breath.
 - 4:00 PM: Coca Tea Refills and Hotel Rest. The coca tea is a lifesaver again. I also want to try more of the hotel's other services, but my energy is not cooperating.
 - 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel Andino, then back to my room, I try to work on the laptop, but I just want to go to sleep.
 
Day 2: Reaching New Heights…Literally & Figuratively (Or, The TeleferiQo & Religious Introspection)
- 8:00 AM: Another day, another battle with the air. Breakfast at the hotel. I swear, the altitude makes food taste different…everything's bolder, somehow. Or is it the fear? Who knows!
 - 9:00 AM: Taxi to the TeleferiQo. This cable car is supposed to whisk you up to the top of a mountain. Sounded like a good way to adjust to elevation. This trip should be easy. Wrong!
 - 9:30 AM: The TeleferiQo! The line is a bit long, and the air continues to be thin. Up we go. The views are insane. The city below is a sprawling patchwork of color. The mountain air is crisp and cold. Maybe I'm not going to die!
 - 10:00 AM: Summit of Volcán Pichincha. HOLY MOLY. This is breathtaking. The views… stunning. It is cold up here! I'm a sweaty mess from the climb, and the wind is cutting right through me. The feeling of standing on top of this mountain is something else. This feeling is powerful and moving beyond just being the beauty of the view.
 - 12:00 PM: Back down the TeleferiQo. I could spend hours up there, but my legs have had enough.
 - 1:00 PM: Lunch: A local meal. I found a small place for some local food. It was amazing, and cheap. It also helped that the people were nice too and helped me pick the meal! I can see why people can live here.
 - 3:00 PM: Church time. Seriously, Quito has churches everywhere. I poked my head into the Basilica del Voto Nacional. It is HUGE. The architecture is mind-blowing.
 - 4:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. I need to lay down. The altitude. It is still something I need to adjust to.
 - 6:00 PM: Dinner. Another cheap meal from the Hotel. I think I have found my favorite meal, soup!
 
Day 3: Market Mayhem and Chocolate Dreams
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, the usual, and some planning.
 - 9:00 AM: Time to visit the local market. I was not ready for the sheer chaos of the Mercado Central. The smells! The colors! The vendors yelling prices! I bought some weird fruit and some even weirder herbs. Then I ate the fruit. It was delicious. This market is one of places that makes the experience worth it.
 - 12:00 PM: Chocolate Tasting! Quito and Ecuador are famous for their chocolate. I visited a little shop, bought some Ecuadorian chocolate, and devoured it. (No regrets!)
 - 1:00 PM: Lunch, quick and simple
 - 2:00 PM: More strolling, less altitude and more shopping.
 - 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel for more relaxing. Altitude is less a problem now.
 - 6:00 PM: Dinner, another cheap meal, but this time I got brave and added a new side. Another win!
 
Day 4: Departure (and a Promise to Return)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, and packing.
 - 9:00 AM: A final walk. Visiting some of the places I skipped earlier.
 - 11:00 AM: Back to the Hotel Andino.
 - 12:00 PM: Check out.
 - 1:00 PM: Taxi to the airport.
 - 2:00 PM: Get on the plane.
 - 5:00 PM: The plane takes off.
 
Quirks, Observations, and Emotional Rollercoasters:
- Altitude is a Lie: Seriously. It's not just "a little higher." It's a whole other level of "trying to breathe." Bring oxygen. Or at least a good sense of humor.
 - The Food Rocks: Simple, cheap, and delicious (once you're brave enough to try new things). I'm going to miss the soup the most.
 - The People are Kind: Everyone from the hotel staff to the street vendors was incredibly helpful and patient. I fumbled Spanish like a toddler, but they still smiled and helped me out.
 - My Regrets: Not taking a Spanish class before I came. Not going to the Mitad del Mundo (the Equator line). But hey, there's always next time!
 - Emotional Reactions: I felt awe, exhaustion, and a profound sense of connection to a culture so different from my own. Quito, you're messy, beautiful, and I'm already dreaming of coming back.
 
This is just a sketch of an itinerary, your trip will no doubt be different. Embrace the unexpected detours, the language barriers, and the occasional bout of altitude sickness. That's where the real adventure lies. Now pack your bags, and get ready for a trip you'll never forget!
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