Hacienda Zuleta, Ecuador

Immerse yourself in Ecuadorian culture and heritage by staying at the 16^th century Hacienda Zuleta, sat high up in the country’s Andean mountain range. This remote and historic property was once home to a former president of Ecuador so you can be assured it’s a pretty special place to stay, where everything from the walls to the decor tells a story. This prestigious country house is home to an elegant 17 rooms that exude a classic and comfortable feel. The Hacienda is still an authentic working farm today and this agrarian history dates back to the Pre-Inca times, as early as 700 AD, which is just a taste of the longstanding heritage and tradition that you’ll be enthralled by whilst here.

Location

Hacienda Zuleta is set just off Ecuador’s 35 Highway, a two hour drive north of Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International airport. Romantically isolated in the Andes at roughly 9,600 feet, the Hacienda is neatly located in the heart of the beautiful and enchanting mountainous landscape. Being in the Ecuadorian back country, you’ll have a whole host of outdoor activities to discover, from hiking and horse-riding to biking and bird-watching; not to mention exploring the region’s rich culture by visiting local villages and wandering the Otavalo Market.

Your Room

Being a former country house, the historic Hacienda transports you back in time, with rooms maintaining a true sense of colonial charm and comfort. Varying in shape and scale, the rooms showcase cosy fireplaces and are decorated with genuine antiques, which enhance the hotel’s welcoming and whimsical feel, ensuring you feel right at home. Privacy is also carefully considered as certain rooms offer private gardens and terraces, where you’ll lounge and get lost in the awe-inspiring Andean scenery.

Why We Like It

Enormously appealing for culture lovers like us, the Hacienda boasts endless excursions and sightseeing. Visit its own Ecuadorian Cheese factory for some tasty samples, find your artistic flair at a traditional embroidery class or enjoy a spectacular horse-ride down the valley to Condor Huasi. Here, you’ll learn about the Hacienda’s condor rehabilitation project and see these majestic, endangered birds in real life. What’s more, priding itself on its vast, organic fruit and vegetable garden, the Hacienda’s cuisine is unbeatably fresh. Come lunchtime, you’ll enjoy a deliciously authentic dish out on the courtyard as you soak up the sounds of traditional Ecuadorian village life.