During my visit to Quito, I had the privilege of staying at Casa Gangotena. This small luxury hotel in the heart of Ecuador's capital, has won many awards and accolades since it opened in October 2012. I am proud to say that Signature was the 1st network in North America to feature Casa Gangotena in their hotel collection, so the relationship with this hotel is indeed very special.

Casa Gangotena was formerly a private home of the Gangotena family, a wealthy clan with vast land holdings in the countryside. Originally built in the late 1800s, the house was rebuilt in the 1920s after a huge fire that destroyed most of the building in 1914. Casa Gangotena was eventually sold by the heirs to the family, and the parent company of Metropolitan Touring decided to turn it into a hotel, with construction starting 2007. The project took 5 years to finish as the house is a listed monument and the property was falling apart. What you see today is the painstaking work of over 500 craftsmen and builders, who transformed the old house into the beautiful hotel you experience today.

What makes the hotel special? First - the location, across from Plaza San Francisco and a stone's throw from all the major sites in colonial Quito, Second, the intimate atomosphere, as the hotel only has 31 rooms and suites. Third, the service - warm, caring, exceptional, from doormen to waiters to front-desk staff. You truly feel you are staying at someone's home, and not in a hotel. The property has a very warm reception area, followed by a large living room covered by a glass ceiling. On the main level, you have a small library with books about Ecuador, a lovely garden terrace, and the hotel's restaurant.

Sleeping rooms are spacious and comfortable, and have every modern convenience. Bathrooms are all white, done in marble, and feel enormous due to the high ceilings. All rooms feature free wi-fi, fruit plate, 24 hour room service, turndown snack, and very comfortable beds. What varies is the view. The most requested rooms are the Plaza Views, of which there are 8 only on property. Having said this, the rooms facing the back of the hotel have lots of light and look out towards the Panecillo hill in the distance. Rooms facing the back are also quieter than those that face the square, another factor to consider. I particularly liked room 212, a "luxury plus' category room (lower priced than Plaza view) with views of the hill, very quiet, and stained glass in the bathroom windows. If you have a family or friends traveling together, I recommend Terrace 1 and Terrace 2 rooms, as these can be separated by one main door, and thus have a private separate area for the two rooms.

Tips:

• For spectacular views, do not miss the terrace on the top floor, day and night. If you call room service, you can have breakfast or a snack/drink delivered to the terrace, with panoramic views of Quito. When I was on property, I was the only one on the terrace, which was quite a treat.
• After a day of sightseeing, make time for the hotel's Cafe Quiteno, every afternoon from 4-6pm, the hotel's version of high tea.
• Breakfast is fantastic, with a wide range fruits, juices, pastries, and some of the best eggs made to order I have had in a long time.

Where else to stay? In the old section of Quito, another good hotel is the Plaza Grande, which is also a small, boutique property. Keep in mind Plaza Grande is far busier than Plaza San Francisco, so Casa Gangotena is in a quieter sector. If your clients want to be in the newer areas of Quito, then book either Swissotel, JW Marriott, or Hilton. All 3 are fine international hotels, offering a full range of services.