Mama Cuchara by Art Hotels

We have just stayed at this wonderful hotel. Overall we spent four nights there between visits to The Galapagos and the Rio Napo. Staying there was a true pleasure - the perfect home base in a foreign city. 1) The staff are all smiling, friendly, efficient and very professional - the management should be proud of them, from the doorman and receptionists to the waiting staff, barmen and housekeeping. On arrival we were welcomed with a refreshing face towel and a drink. 2) The catering is tasty, attractive and imaginative - every dish has a local twist, whilst presented in a modern style. The Lacro de Papas is a meal in itself and the Ceviche is the fresh taste of Ecuador in a bowl. Breakfast is a never-ending selection of prepared fruit, homemade breads, grains, plus a cooked to order breakfast of everything you can think of and more. Eat in the hotel’s airy central courtyard/plaza or on the roof terrace with amazing views over Quito. 3) The bedrooms are very comfortable - excellent mattress. Everything you could need. Being English we missed not having a kettle for making our morning tea, but there was a good coffee machine. Every evening there was a tasty amuse-bouche waiting for us in the room to welcome us home. 4) The general ambience is fresh and clean. Old-fashioned whilst totally contemporary. The sculpture and artwork throughout the hotel is quirky and idiosyncratic. 5) The location is a short walk (10 - 15 mins) down the Rocafuerte and through the Plaza de Santo Domingo to the Old Town. The area feels very safe. It's a 30 to 45 minute taxi ride from the airport, but traffic can be heavy at peak times. The only sad part of our visit was the number of unnecessary cancellations all the hoteliers had suffered due to the problems of unrest elsewhere in Ecuador - we were totally unaffected by the political situation. Visit Ecuador, it is safe and so welcoming.

Now the hotel has a lot of nice points: First the location that is perfect to discover Quito Old Town (just a 10 minutes walk downhill); Second the staff at reception couldn’t have been more helpful and smiling (and to them a 5 star plus…I could come back just for you guys!); Third the decor that is interesting and arty (as per the name of the hotel) albeit not at the top of my liking (but nothing with to go with my score!) Breakfast was ok (I rather prefer a buffet offering that is quick!) What let me down was actually the size of the room and bathroom!! My booking was for a Deluxe room and we had one with a wonderful view but my God…once the bed was in (very comfortable by the way) there was no room for moving and for our rather large suitcases (3 weeks travelling South America require lots of things!) and the bathroom too was rather on the small side (to put it simply!). My point is that the hotel was, unfortunately for them, rather empty and there were only one bedroom taken on the Deluxe side…all the other were open and perfectly appointed and so generously large with ample space to open suitcases and bathrooms again very very large…I have been envious of them. Frankly I couldn’t complain about mine but my stay hasn’t been comfortable as it could have been.

An excellent all round stay. Staff are among the best, very helpful, experienced and professional. Rooms were very tastefully decorated, comfy bed and cleaned to a very high standard (there as no AC but we didn’t need it). There is a central, airy, enclosed courtyard (the restaurant area) and rooftop terrace with bar and meals served there too. Food was excellent and beautifully presented. It’s a real oasis in the hurly-burly that is Quito Located within 10mins walk of the old city but best to taxi at night. We’d highly recommend! Gerry

This place is a true gem. Not only is the hotel clean and comfortable, the staff is top notch. Each room is unique and has art work and furnishings that make the rooms feel cozy and inviting. The food was excellent and the wait staff and bar tenders were accommodating. I would stay here again without hesitation!

My wife and I stayed at this charming hotel for three and a half days and can highly recommend it for a visit to Quito. The general manager, Fabrice, and his staff, including Rosa and Daniel were all very welcoming and provided a high level of service and advice (restaurants, chocolate tastings, museums, sites). The rooms are delightful, with beamed ceilings, modern baths (rain shower, hairdryer, bottled water provided). The substantial breakfasts (fruit, meat and cheese plate, eggs to order, pastries and homemade jams) were served in the art-filled atrium. The view and house cocktails from the rooftop bar are worth a try, too. The location is close to Old Town (10 minute walk to Santo Domingo plaza). We look forward to a return visit.

This hotel and its staff are truly amazing. My wife and I felt safe and very well taken care of. There was no limit to what the staff would do to comfort us and take care of our needs. Rooms are spotless and very comfortable, there is a doorman there constantly as well as on the front desk. The breakfast was and included with the room, their cappuccino and orange juice was also very good and the orange juice is freshly squeezed. They have trips they can call and organize for you if you ask at the front desk. They have an amazing bar, and view of the city on the roof top. Great restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and stays open late. They even surprised us with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries for a birthday and we didn't ask for this but they just did it and it made our evening. Their decorations and ambient is also so well thought of as well as their flowers and plants. They have professional ladies they call to come to the hotel and give you a massage in a massage room (must pay separately and make and appointment for this). We will definitely be looking forward to staying here again.

This was our stopping place to and from the Galapagos and was the best place we stayed in on our trip. The reception was friendly and efficient, nothing was too much trouble. In our very lovely room there were various nibbles e.g. packets of crisps and food bars. Splendid Ecuadorian coffee was available in the room and hot water was brought up for tea. Delightful cakes were then brought to our room. This was replenished each day. The dining room was quite unique is style and beauty. The waiting staff were so polite and efficient and the food was excellent. There is also a rooftop bar which provided superb views of the City and the Virgin of Quito, a stunning 41 metre high statue. It is not situated in the best area so taxi is always recommended.

Lovely building. Rooms well decorated but quite small. Many rooms had no outside window (ours did) but had windows opening onto the central courtyard (quite noisey at times). Rooftop bar had good views. Food was good. Unfortunately no beer on our two nights stay. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

Stayed here before our trip to the Galapagos and absolutely loved this hotel. There’s a lovely rooftop bar with gorgeous views of the city, the lobby/atrium area is light and airy and the perfect place for breakfast. Rooms were bright and clean and beautifully decorated, though I found the glass door and curtain a bit odd. I did wish it was a little more private but that was my only complaint. Staff was extremely helpful, attentive and friendly, the food was delicious, and the drinks were great. Turndown service left us delicious little sweet treats each night, and the hotel packed us a breakfast for our very early departure for Baltra. Would absolutely stay here again, and a travel advisor, I would happily send my clients here.