Ecuador has a limited spa selection, but those that are listed here feature such unusual extras as hummingbird gardens, lush cloud forests, or the opportunity to complement massages and other treatments with outdoor activities.
Arasha Resort (tel. 02/2449-881; www.arasharesort.com) is sequestered in the cloud forest near Mindo, about 2 hours from Quito. It offers an array of stress-relieving therapies as well as lot of exposure to soothing Mother Nature.
La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa (tel. 800/327-3573 in the U.S. and Canada, or 06/2915-237 in Ecuador; www.mirage.com.ec), on the outskirts of the tranquil colonial town of Cotacachi, is a luxury hotel and spa where the massages and aromatherapy can be complemented by contemplating the hummingbirds that abound in the hotel's extensive gardens.
Hotel Termas de Papallacta (tel. 02/2568-989; www.papallacta.com.ec), on the eastern slope of the Andes, is an hour from Quito. This hotel and hot springs offers an affordable spa experience in an attractive valley known for its bird-watching.
Luna Runtun (tel. 03/2730-882; www.lunaruntun.com), an attractive hotel and spa in the mountains above Baños, Luna Runtun offers a range of massages, skin care, and hair care, as well as a selection of outdoor activities that include hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
