Illa Experience Hotel

We booked this hotel for the outward leg my wife’s special, ‘big birthday’ trip to Galapagos, based on our booking agency’s more than 40 ‘10/10’ reviews and a reassuringly high price point. However, whilst the staff were all very pleasant and helpful, the hotel fell some way below what we, as fairly experienced international and third world travellers, consider to be our reasonable expectations. It is located in a side street at the very edge of the ‘safe’ historic old town, to the point where locally-based lunchtime hotel diners stopped us at the entrance door and strongly cautioned us against turning right for fear of being mugged in broad daylight. Our room was on the hotel’s first level, being several meters below street level with obscured and permanently curtained windows and hence absolutely no view or natural light . Our room’s coffee machine was missing, and our beverage supplies comprised 2 teabags with no milk or creamer. There was no hot water to the bathroom until 6am, (which presented a serious problem for our early flight out), ridiculously small bathrobes, and a poor selection of low cost toiletries. The shower was interestingly designed with a lightly obscured glass side wall that became completely transparent when wet, and as this formed a large part of the adjacent bedroom wall my wife had absolutely no privacy whilst showering. The wine list was surprisingly expensive, the mini bar required $6 for a small bottle of still water, and the dinner menu was unexciting. The lobby was dark and uninspiring, and what the hotel describes as its ‘Rooftop Terrace Bar’ proved to be one table and three almost permanently occupied chairs in a tiny area against a wall next to the breakfast hut. Despite that we were the only guests in the breakfast hut, our so-called ‘hot breakfast,’ was served nearly cold with equally cold coffee, and included completely inedible bacon with the texture of extruded hard plastic. Finally, and quite inexplicably, the front desk charged us $80 each way for our airport taxi compared to $55 quoted by our return leg stop in Quito, which is nearby, but more safely and attractively located.

A terrific boutique hotel that met our taste and needs. Currently only 12 rooms with a further 7 nearing completed renovation. The hotel 4 easy walking blocks from the major square in Quito, so just right in order to see all the main attractions by foot. We were met by Christian who oriented us to the hotel and our room. The room was large and mostly quiet overlooking the courtyard of the hotel). The room was well appointed with an equally large bathroom. The only niggle was with 24 hour check in and out late arrivals and early departures to and from the airport did echo a little. There are even larger rooms available. Everything in the hotel from the small pool in the entrance way and the many superb paintings throughout the hotel, to the furnishings and flowers in the little garden is done with taste and style. The breakfast was excellent with a mini buffet as well as a la carte menu taken upstairs overlooking the mountain and the city and surrounds.. A fine dining evening menu is also available with a full bar, a little higher in price to offerings outside. The 5 o’clock experiences in the foyer were also a lovely touch and introduction to Ecuadorian culture. Staff across the board were excellent and a lovely way to commence our Ecuadorian experience.

This hotel is very atmospheric, comfortable rooms in a great location. However the food was dreadful. No one in our group of 16 had anything positive to say. This was the worst food we have had in a two week trip to Ecuador including on a small boat and in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon where our final destination was reached by canoe. It was not cheap and I cook better food at home. Further a small bottle of water costs $5US. One positive was that the staff were very polite and friendly.

We got an amazing room which had a separate seating area and a good size bathroom. The reception was very good, staff were wonderful and organized a cultural event every late afternoon. Breakfast was good, with a beautiful view of Quito. Didn't quite get the 5 star review because the bed, although huge, definitely needs a new matrass, and cleaning upon arrival was not up to standard. The gym was not good compared to the high standard of the hotel. It was a tiny room with one tredmill and a few weights. Otherwise we had a wonderful stay and were pampered by the staff!

Simply a 'top notch' hotel! This hotel was booked for us by Royal Galapagos, and they could not have found a finer hotel that met our taste and needs. The hotel is off centre from the major squares in Quito, so just right in order to see all the main attractions by foot. We were met by Christian who oriented us to the hotel and our room. We had requested an upgrade and reserved room #244 which turned out to be an excellent decision. The room was large with three large windows overlooking a quiet street (other rooms have windows facing the courtyard of the hotel). The room was well appointed with an equally large bathroom. Everything in the hotel from the small pool in the entrance way and the many superb paintings throughout the hotel, to the furnishings and flowers in the little garden is done with taste and style. The breakfast was excellent with a mini buffet as well as a la carte menu. In the evening a fire pit is lit overlooking the mountain and the statue of the Virgin of Panecillo. Some evenings a savory is cooked for guest returning from a day of touring. Dinner was also a la carte and excellent (albeit somewhat expensive). The staff was uniformly pleasant and helpful. In summary, this hotel was a wonderful way to start our Ecuadorian adventure.