Readers’ Choice
Quito
Quito is split between the Old Town, a colonial district full of buildings with incredibly detailed and well-preserved hand-carved facades, and the New Town, where most business takes place – all nestled below the active Pichincha Volcano.
JW Marriott. Located next to the commercial district and near the historic center, this new Marriott offers great facilities for the business traveler. It has two pleasant restaurants, a sushi bar and a huge tropical-style pool area. Ask for a room with volcano views. Rooms start at $179.
www.marriott.com
Sleeping
Four Points by Sheraton.
This beautiful, contemporary-style hotel in the New Town opposite the popular Quicentro shopping mall, has excellent rates for the luxury it provides. Rooms start at $95.
www.starwoodhotels.com
Swissôtel. This financial district hotel boasts five in-house restaurants (and an array of Quito’s most succulent dining options at its doorstep). The spa, pool and sports facilities are some of the best in the city. Rooms start at $185.
www.swissotel.com
Relaxing
Darwinian Detour. The Galápagos Islands and the unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution are just a three-hour flight from Quito. The Royal Palm Hotel – an exclusive hideaway with 10 ocean view villas and seven suites designed to blend in with the natural surroundings of the island of Santa Cruz – is a perfect base for exploring (Galápagos Islands, Santa Cruz, Tel: 593 5 252 7408). Rooms start at $310.
www.royalpalmgalapagos.com
Eating
Theatrum. This beautifully elegant restaurant on the second floor of the recently restored Teatro Nacional Sucre offers a tasting menu as elaborate as its decor (Calle Manabi between Calles Guayaquil and Flores, Centro Histórico, Tel: 593 2 257 1011).
Café Cultura. The hip crowd chows down at this hotel bistro housed in Quito’s one-time French Cultural Center. Tasty food, good libations and great atmosphere are on hand (Robles 513 and Reina Victoria, New Town, Tel: 593 2 222 4271).
Mea Culpa. Government movers and shakers favor this restaurant in the former archbishop’s palace, overlooking the Plaza de la Independencia (Venezuela Oeste 4-22, Old Town, Tel: 593 2 295 1190).
Drinking
Sunami is the new minimalist drinking spot for the capital’s chic and beautiful (Francisco Salazar 116 and Tamayo, La Floresta). There’s nothing new about El Pobre Diablo, except that the young artsy crowd has discovered its live jazz and blues (Isabel la Católica E12-06 and Galavis, La Floresta).
Guayaquil
Guayaquil has transformed thanks to the Malecón 2000 project, which gave its shabby waterfront a long-overdue facelift and new energy.
Sleeping
Hilton Colón. This reliable business hotel is close to the airport and near the burgeoning Kennedy Norte commercial district. Extras include an outdoor pool, gym, squash courts and airline reservations desk. Executive rooms start at $210.
www.hilton.com
Oro Verde. Although it’s looking a bit dated, the Oro Verde, located downtown, is still one of the city’s best business hotels. Executive rooms start at $145.
www.oroverdehotels.com
Eating
El Caracol Azul. A legend in Guayaquil, some rate the Caracol Azul as the best seafood spot in the country. Service is faultless (9 de Octubre 1918 and Los Ríos, Centro, Tel: 593 4 228 0461).
Blu. Blu’s murals to Bacchus make for a fitting prelude to culinary indulgence at this Mediterranean restaurant with Pacific Latin flavors (Víctor Emilio Estrada 701, Urdesa, Tel: 593 4 288 4954).
Drinking
The bohemian Las Peñas district, a hill on the northern end of the Malecón, is packed with bars and clubs. Hiding out in a restored house, La Paleta (Numa Pompilio Llona 174) draws a convivial crowd from Wednesday through Saturday. The city’s trendiest converge at La Proa on the Malecón 2000 adjacent to Calle Julián Coronel, while the mellow set escapes to the Chillout Lounge (Victor Emilio Estrada 727).
Shopping
Although crafts abound in Ecuador, their quality can vary greatly. For carefully selected carpets, jewelry and knick-knacks, head to Olga Fisch Folklore (Avenida Colón E10-53 and Caamaño), which also sports a nonprofit museum for a crash-course on local artisan traditions. Similarly, Galería Latina (Juan León Mera N23-69) has a fine selection of alpaca sweaters, pottery and even antiques.
Downtime
Motorcycle Diaries. Check out Ecuador from an all-terrain vehicle with a full day excursion up winding dirt trails to the top of a volcano, or bump along picturesque, cobbled valley roads. Tours including gear and food start at $160 (Islazul Viajes, Tel: 593 2 222 4393).
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