Hotel Plaza Grande

From the Hideaway Report

December 2011 Hideaway Report

The Hotel Plaza Grande enjoys a perfect location facing the cathedral and next to the Presidential Palace. The neoclassical building was originally the home of Juan Díaz de Hidalgo, one of the original Spanish conquistadors. It first became a hotel, the Majestic, in 1943 and subsequently served as both a bank and the administrative offices for the municipality of Quito. It was not until 2005 that a group of investors decided to restore the structure and reopen it as a hotel.

We arrived late one evening, tired by the final leg of our journey — the four-hour flight from Miami. I cannot remember the last time that we were received with such warmth and sincere hospitality. We were shown up to our Plaza View Suite (#25), one of three that commands a compelling view of the animated main square. Its décor was in the style of a grand Spanish mansion. Heavy wooden furniture, tapestries, a canopied bed and a color scheme of gold and autumnal browns all contributed to a patrician atmosphere. The traditional elegance of the main salon was augmented by complimentary Wi-Fi and English-language cable television, while the well-appointed marble bath came with both a strong walk-in shower and a small Jacuzzi.

The hotel offers La Belle Epoque for French and international cuisine, and the Café Plaza Grande, located on the ground floor with windows overlooking the square. The latter specializes in Ecuadorian dishes such as ceviche, suckling pig and a delicious hanger steak served with avocado and salsa. And its local breakfast and hot chocolate both enjoy justified renown. The hotel’s other amenity is a small spa.

Alas, our stay at the Plaza Grande was all too short. With just 15 suites, it is a perfect size, so that you soon get to know everyone and everyone gets to know you. It is a property that manages to be both elegant and warmhearted, and I could happily have stayed for a week. 

Amenities