Barnard Hotel, Quito

Advantages: On a quiet street, near the Swiss Hotel, restaurant is very good.
Disadvantages: Poorly run, manager absentee, no customer service

...We were booked into the Hotel Quito on Suarez Gonzalez in Quito by our travel agent. We were willing to pay for a "superior" room. When we arrived, there was no record of our reservation. The hotel tried to charge us again. Burned out lightbulbs, bath fixtures that rattled on the wall, showers that backed up and the door to the balcony with the so called "beautiful view" was bolted shut. Erwin Dominguez, one of the clerks, double charged us for breakfast. He acknowledged his mistake, then refused to refund our money. He was snug about cheating us. Lots of other clerks running around, standing around accomplishing nothing. Jesus Sanchez is suppose to be the manager. He is absent most of the time. The location of this hotel is not special. The view is not worth the shoddy service.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Quite luxurious, Spa, Gym & Jacuzzi, good room service
Disadvantages: Full of businessmen

...I stayed three nights in the Hotel Dann Carlton as part of a six nights excursion from Peru to Quito and the Galapagos Islands. My Peruvian travel agent, who was a friend of the family I was staying with in Lima, chose the hotel for me - and made an excellent choice. This is a 4* hotel which is mostly favoured by businessmen as it has conference facilities and a business centre. A porter is always on duty at the door to greet guests, help with luggage etc, and the reception area is an attractive open area. On the ground floor there is a small business centre with 4 internet stations (free access), a bar area with live music in the evenings, and a large spacious dining room. Rooms are also spacious and come equipped with the usual heating/air conditioning, TV, phone, mini-bar - but the bathroom has extra little luxuries like bathrobes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: pleasant climate, lots to see, bustling with local activity
Disadvantages: usual big city issues - traffic, smog, beggars, street vendors

...Quito is the capital of Ecuador and stands almost 3,000 metres high on a plateau nestled among the Andes mountain range. It is just 22 km south of the Equator and yet, because of its height, it benefits from a warm eternal spring-like climate. It is a large and sprawling urban mass that is split into the two distinct areas of old city and new city. This produces a place of startling contrasts – a strange mixture of old colonial and new contemporary architecture, streets populated equally with wealthy businessmen and poor beggars, noisy bustling markets separated by quiet parks and streets, upmarket fashion and souvenir shops contrasting with impoverished street stalls. There are many attractions here including the huge Virgin of Quito who looks down over the city from her lofty position on Panecillo Hill. The views from here... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful