• Hotel Vieja Cuba (Quito; tel. 02/2906-732; www.hotelviejacuba.com): Beautifully restored and wonderfully located, this Mariscal-district hotel provides great value. Hardwood floors, mosaic-tile bathrooms, a central courtyard fountain, and an excellent restaurant are just some of the perks.
  • Hotel San Francisco de Quito (Quito; tel. 02/2287-758; www.sanfranciscodequito.com.ec): Offering tidy and comfortable rooms in a wonderfully preserved 17th-century converted home, this is my favorite budget option in Quito. This hotel is situated in the heart of Old Town. You get colonial charm and a great deal all in one.
  • Hacienda Guachala (Cangahua, Cayambe; tel. 02/2363-042; www.guachala.com): Dating back to 1580, this rustic old hacienda provides all the colonial-era vibe and experience offered up by its fancier brethren, at very reasonable prices. The rooms are quite rustic, but you'll have the undeniable feeling of staying at what was once a thriving colonial-era hacienda. A host of tours and activities are available, including a number of horseback-riding adventures.
  • Hostal La Posada del Arte (Baños de Agua Santa; tel. 03/2740-083; www.posadadelarte.com): Artistic touches abound in this cozy and friendly hostal. The best rooms here have waterfall views from private balconies.
  • Hacienda El Porvenir (Cotopaxi; tel. 02/2231-806; www.tierradelvolcan.com): Wonderfully located on the flat paramo just below Volcán Cotopaxi, this humble hostel offers comfortable and inviting rooms from which to explore the surrounding area.
  • Posada del Angel (Cuenca; tel. 07/2840-695; www.hostalposadadelangel.com): It's hard to believe you can find such a charming room in such a charming converted old colonial home for such a bargain. The building is over 120 years old, yet the place is lively and cheery. There are a couple of classic interior courtyards and second-floor lounge areas. If you want more privacy, and a bit of a view, ask for a room on the third or fourth floor.
  • Manso Boutique Hostal (Guayaquil; tel./fax 09/6034-054; www.manso.com.ec): Located right on Guayaquil's riverfront Malecón Simón Bolívar, this new boutique hotel offers up well-designed and equipped rooms in a remodeled old downtown building. The restaurant here is also excellent.
  • Hostería Alándaluz (south of Puerto López; tel. 04/2780-686; www.alandaluzhosteria.com): An environmentally conscious and eclectic collection of rooms and bungalows on a beautiful spot along the Pacific coast, this is one of my favorite beach hotels in all of Ecuador. Rooms come in a wide range of styles and prices, from semi-rustic doubles to almost opulent suites. Even the least expensive options are quite nice. Heck, you can even camp here.
  • Farallón Dillon (Ballenita; tel. 04/2953-611; www.farallondillon.com): Set on a steep hillside above a beautiful stretch of beach, this eclectic and rambling hotel is one of the most unique along the Ecuadorean coast. Antiques and nautical memorabilia abound, the views are fabulous, and the restaurant is excellent.
  • Hotel Casablanca (Puerto Barquerizo Moreno, Isla San Cristóbal; tel./fax 05/2520-392; jacquibaz@yahoo.com): When you can score a bayfront room with a balcony on the Galápagos Islands for under $100 (£67), you know you've found a good deal. Accommodations here have loads of unique artistic touches.

    • 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.