Radisson Royal Quito Hotel, Quito

A walk around old Quito

Advantages: Beautiful setting, churches and Spanish colonial architecture
Disadvantages: Traffic noise and fumes, some street crime

cleared, leaving only a young girl of perhaps eight or nine, who chatted amicably with the bronze man, leaning on his elbow, until her mother eventually succeeded in calling her away. Reluctantly, she complied, turning to wave as she did so. As in any city, one of the pleasures of wandering round old Quito is to observe these little human episodes. From the Plaza de Teatro it is only a few blocks further to the Plaza de San Blas, which marks the northern limit of the old town. Beyond lie the business district and the area known as Mariscal, also named after the ubiquitous Sucre, which is the modern shopping and entertainment hub of Quito, and where most of the big tourist hotels are located, which has given it the alternative soubriquet of Gringoland. My wife and I never penetrated into this part of Quito except by taxi on our way to ...

torr 06.07.2008 (12.07.2008) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Quito

Quito

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 are ...

stuartmelvin 21.03.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Quito

Hotel Reina Isabel

Advantages: Clean, fairly good facilities
Disadvantages: Could do with a bit of a revamp.

We used this hotel as a base whilst staying in Quito and visiting the Galapagos Islands in April this year. First Impressions The hotel doesn?t look all that from the outside. There is a concierge man who is at the ready to assist you from your vehicle. Reception Area There is a nice clean marbled reception area. This area also has comfy leather settees complete with coffee table rather reminiscent of someone?s lounge. This area is great as a meeting area when gathering together for a tour. There are 3 computers with free internet access available 24/7. The reception is manned 24 hours with two lady reception staff one working day and the other the night. They speak limited English. We found the evening one barely broke into a smile. Rooms We had rooms on the 3rd / 7th and 8th floors. These are accessible by stairs or by ...

rosehall 13.05.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Hotel Reina Isabel, Quito