Frommer's Review
In the heart of New Town, the Café Cultura is definitely one of the most unique and interesting hotels in Quito. Formerly the French Cultural Center, this old but beautifully renovated house is now the hippest hotel in the city. It's truly an inner-city retreat, complete with a lush garden with resident hummingbirds and doves. All the rooms have hand-painted designs on the walls and their own personal touches. For example, no. 25 has a tree growing through it; no. 1 has a fireplace, French doors, painted furniture, and a claw-foot tub. My favorite room, though, is no. 2, which has a beautiful sitting nook, with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows. Several of the rooms have sloped wooden ceilings; most have been renovated in the past few years, and all the windows have been soundproofed. In general, the bathrooms are also excellent; there are some rooms, however, where only a curtain separates the bathroom from the rest of the room. Note that all the rooms are smoke-free.
The charming owner, Laszlo Karolyi, has done a great job of making this hotel feel like a real home. It's also one of the few hotels in the city not to charge the full 22% service fee; it adds only the minimum tax of 12% to your bill -- although you should tip the service staff accordingly. There's a lovely restaurant adjacent to the lobby, complete with hardwood floors and flickering candles, and a roaring fireplace.
Facilities:
Restaurant; lounge; tour desk; free airport pickup if you book online; room service 7am-10pm; laundry service; free Wi-Fi; all rooms smoke free
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
