Hilton Colon, Quito

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

...(near the Hilton Colon Hotel). This is a large museum with displays covering the history of the country and a substantial number of 19th century and modern paintings. There are a number of attractions that are very close to the city and can easily be visited either within a city tour or as a special outing. Perhaps the most popular is the Mitad del Mundo. This monument is just 30 minutes north of the city and marks the exact position of the Equator. The monument itself contains an interesting museum covering the distinct ethnic tribes that live in different parts of Ecuador. And, of course, you can have your picture taken astride the Equator line. Just a few kilometres north lies the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve that traces the rim of an extinct volcanic coldera. You can drive to the rim and will normally get impressive views during... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Stunning mountains surrounding a bustling and colourful city
Disadvantages: The smog

...mall, which is slightly cheaper and bigger but further from the centre. For food, Supermaxi, a big chain of supermarkets found around Quito. If you happen to want stationary and notepads and envelopes and that sort of thing, Superpaco (on Av. Cristobal Colon just west of Gringoland) is good. And there's a great little English bookshop in Gringoland just opposite Papaya-net too. Food As the capital of Ecuador Quito has pretty much anything, from incredibly cheap little local cafes with flies buzzing round the tables selling typical Ecuadorian food, to expensive up-market touristy restaurants, steak houses, Mexicans and Chinese. It just depends what you want, and how adventurous you're willing to be. There are loads of local places around that do really good bargain two-course lunches ('almuerzos') for 1 or 2 dollars - generally... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

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