Hotel Mama Cuchara

Boutique hotel with an emphasis on art...

Four hearts from 19 votes

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Review

A member of the select Art Hotels Ecuador group (with hotels also in Otavalo and Cuenca), this Colonial-era property is awash with an impressive private collection of native art. Most of the pieces – from paintings and sculptures to jewellery and ceramics – are available for purchase, allowing guests to take a slice of Ecuador home with them. The hotel is within the Old Town, but slightly further south than most. Whilst this may add a few minutes of getting to the main sights, the advantage is a very peaceful setting on a street that, delightfully, has changed little over the years. Certainly one for art aficionados!

Location

Hotel Mama Cuchara is in the quiet La Loma Grande neighbourhood of Quito’s Old Town. Directly opposite the hotel is the Cultural Centre, that offers musicians a venue to rehearse and play. Some of the Old Town’s main sights, such as Plaza Santo Domingo and San Francisco are just under a mile to the north.

As with all Old Town hotels, a transfer from the airport takes around an hour.

Layout

Th hotel has two wings – the original building that dates back over 150 years; and a new, extended wing. Most of the hotel is located in the former, including the stunning La Plaza restaurant that sits in the main courtyard under a heightened glass ceiling.

The rooftop terrace bar is a fantastic spot to lounge with a drink and look across the capital. The accommodation is split between the two wings.

Rooms

Hotel Mama Cuchara has 26 rooms, all of which are individually decorated with beautiful Ecuadorian artifacts and hand-crafted furniture. The new wing homes the 8 Superior rooms (387ft.2), with a more contemporary design and includes two pairs on interconnecting rooms. There are 9 Deluxe rooms (344ft.2), with one pair that interconnecting, and 5 Premium rooms (409ft.2). The magnificent Luxury rooms (463ft.2) come with a living area and three of the four also have a balcony (the one without boasts a decadent bathtub instead).

Features

The hotel’s bright and airy La Plaza restaurant is centred around an ornate fountain that features a sculpture of two indigenous, decorative birds; and specialises in gourmet Ecuadorian cuisine. The rooftop bar & terrace includes a raised observation platform, with an impressive 360-degree view of the Old Town. Hotel Mama Cuchara also provides free walking tours to local sights, such as Santo Domingo church, El Caretero ‘mask-makers’ and artisanal coffee.

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