Hotel Rio Amazonas, Quito

Stayed here for 6 nights in late May 2009. Were looking for a central & safe location in the heart of La Mariscal, and got it for abt $69/nt double occ. The 10 story glass front hotel is on the corner of Cordero and Amazonas, and only 3 blocks from the Plaza Foch nightscene. The Quitenos have a lively nightlife, so the weekends can get a bit noisy. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs, as you'll hear some cheerful exuberance from the street til late at night, but the view from your room is worth it. There is some sort of bar or lounge on the top floor (though we didn't visit it), so I would avoid the higher floors for weekend stays. Restaurants, bars & shopping nearby. Corner rm 602 has window wall w extraordinary view of volcano and surrounding mountains, king bed (though bedspread,sheets and carpet are worn), lg dining table/chairs, big flatscreen TV loaded w premium channels, desk, minibar, bath (though towels are thin and grayish) w/tub/shower, hairdryer, some amenities, safe in closet (ask for safe lock, which is free). There is room service, though we didn't use it. Exc checkin/checkout, v courteous staff, 2 computers for guest use, free Wifi & coffee in lobby, hotel restaurant has buffet bkfst for $6.50 & you can sample the local dishes, but do check out Magic Bean on Juan Leon Mera & Foch 3 bl away (ambience, great exotic juices, good menu incl bagels, pancakes, inexpensive, open for bkfst, lunch & dinner, free Wifi). Upon arrival ask reception to photocopy your passport info page plus page w Ecuador entry stamp. Carry it everywhere & put your passport & valuables in safe. Ecuador is incredibly inexpensive: taxis, food, clothing, leather jackets, original art (check out sunday artist market at nearby El Ejido Park). You can buy 2 dozen gorgeous long stemmed roses for your room for just $2. Currency is US dollar. Do visit Otavalo saturday market ($49 for 11 hr excursion from the travel agency next door). Do most of your shopping here, and bring your camera. Ask permission before you photograph people, incl children and thank them with $1 (unless you buy something, in which case, take the photo). Bring sunblock and a hat (or buy a "Panama" planter's hat, which are really from Ecuador). It's considered respect for old age to offer a coin to any elderly Otavalenos who ask for charity (you can also take their picture). Also included in the Otavalo trip was a visit to Cotacachi, where leather goods are cheap. Our group had a 4 course lunch, Ecuador's main meal of the day (it included corn on the cob, cheese, locro - potato soup-, grilled trout w potatoes, rice & veggies, strawberries & cream) at a v nice restaurant (Condesa or Marquesa?) on the main shopping street for about $6.50. A large fresh juice was about $1.75. If you have high blood pressure, asthma or migraines, ask your doctor for a Diamox prescription to ward off altitude sickness (soroche), which mountain climbers use. Take it twice a day starting 2-3 days before travel, because Quito's altitude is over 9,000 ft, and so many of the daytrips to the surrounding areas (except Otavalo) are at 14 and 15,000 feet (like the Teleferico cable ride up to Pichincha, and the thermal baths of Papallacta). Take it easy your first few days and whenever you go up higher, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol. Do devote a couple of days to beautiful Old Quito (Centro Historico). Visit the museums (closed Mondays). Take in a performance of the philharmonic on Fridays 8:30PM, $5 open seating, at Teatro Nacional Sucre, Old Town. Arrive an hour early, find the box office for tickets (Boleteria), and enjoy. Drink & brush teeth with bottled water. Bring a good guidebook. We had no problems with safety, but others have reported being robbed while walking up/down to El Panecillo (take a cab both ways), or walking quiet streets late at night;stay alert, don't flash jewelry or money. Bars & restaurants will call you a cab at night. We can't wait to go back!

I stayed at Hotel Rio Amazonas prior to going to the Galapagos and I enjoyed my time there. The front desk and bellhops were friendly and spoke English. The rooms were clean and contemporary. My bathroom was very spacious too! Maid service was excellent. Hotel has a restaurant which is good yet expensive for the area (and by expensive I mean $5-7 USD!). Location is good. Close to the airport (10 minutes by cab). Clubs/bars also closeby. Quicentro Mall (bigger restaurants, stores) is a $2-3 USD cab ride (about 20 minutes).