Casa Gangotena

From the Hideaway Report

December 2011 Hideaway Report

The 31-room Casa Gangotena overlooks the lively Plaza San Francisco and stands on a site that has also been occupied since the time of the Incas. The current three-story building dates from 1926, however, and opened as a hotel on September 1 after a four-year, $10 million renovation. The mansion’s architecture is Renaissance-inspired, but the interior now combines art deco and postmodern styles. 

Once again, our first impression was of a staff that was extremely anxious to please. Our exquisite, high-ceilinged Plaza View Room (#108) was on a corner, and hence featured tall windows overlooking both the square and adjoining Cuenca Street. A refined and delicate palette of ice blue, cream and beige was complemented by veined marble columns, ornate moldings and a dramatic art deco ceiling light. A dark-wood art deco armoire contained adequate hanging space, with a flat-screen television perched awkwardly on a desk being the only discordant note. The marble bath was well-lit and well-appointed, though it contained only a single basin and a shower over the soaking tub.

Downstairs, we discovered a glassed-in patio and a delightful small courtyard garden. Steps led up to an elegant restaurant. There, chef Andrés Dávila serves international cuisine, plus Ecuadorian dishes from both the Andes and the Pacific.

Of course, the obvious question is, “Do you prefer the Plaza Grande or the Casa Gangotena?” The truthful answer is that I couldn’t choose between them. The only useful comment I can make is that the Plaza Grande will appeal to those who prefer traditional hotels, whereas the Casa Gangotena is likely to please travelers attracted to a more contemporary ambience.

Amenities