Illa Experience Hotel
In the best-preserved historical center of Latin America, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies the Illa Experience Hotel. It is housed in a townhouse from the 17th century in the quiet old town district of San Marcos, transformed into a boutique hotel by an Ecuadorian family. The name Illa stands for sacred light and good fortune, and indeed, daylight falls here over open galleries into the courtyards of the house. Three galleries lead through three eras of the city, from the colonial period on the first level to the present on the third, and each bears its own signature in architecture and decor. From the rooftop terrace, the view extends over the tiled roofs to the hill El Panecillo with the winged statue of Mary by Legarda. The house is not open to the public, which shapes the familial character of a stay.
Details
Country
Ecuador
Location
Quito
Price
from 430 € per night/person
Best travel time
June - September
Rooms
The accommodations are spread over the three galleries of the house and range from the Luxury Rooms to the Master Suites. The Luxury Rooms feature colonial, republican, or contemporary traits and open their windows to the courtyards. The suites are located on the first and second galleries, with the Republican Junín overlooking the eponymous street and the lively neighborhood around it. The two Master Suites overlook the Panecillo and the statue of Mary on its peak, one from the second and the other from the third gallery. Everything is furnished with handcrafted furniture and pieces from the family history, along with cotton bed linen with a thread count of 400 and underfloor heating with its own thermostat.
Culinary
The culinary center of the house is the restaurant Inés, which originated from the hotel's own project NESTS. This promotes young Ecuadorian culinary talent and works with products and flavors from Ecuador and South America, while the kitchen management has trained in Michelin-starred restaurants. In the garden, you can eat outdoors in the greenery of the house, both at lunch and dinner. In the afternoon, Afternoon Tea Time is served, a family tradition with sweet treats. Breakfast for two is included, à la carte at Inés or served privately if desired.
Activities
Daily, the house organizes an experience that immerses you in Ecuadorian traditions and crafts, which is included. Families are also taken into account, as the programs are tailored to the interests of the guests, including children. In the Illa Spa, therapies work with warmth, from the in-house signature massage to treatment with hot volcanic stones. On the roof, there is a bar from which you can look over the domes and roofs of the center. For excursions, the team curates their own tours, such as a discovery journey through the old town that engages all the senses or a trip to the Equator monument north of the city.
Location
The hotel is located at Calle Junín, corner of Juan Pío Montúfar, in the old town district of San Marcos. It is just a few blocks to Plaza Grande, and you can also reach the San Francisco Church and La Ronda Street on foot. The drive from Mariscal Sucre International Airport takes about 45 minutes; alternatively, the hotel arranges transfers. Quito is located at an altitude of about 2,750 meters, so you should plan the first days more calmly. For altitude adjustment, the house has oxygen available and a doctor on call.
Contact person
Senior Travel Designer
