Hotel in Quito 170401, Ecuador
Hotel Plaza Grande
Quito's most prestigious hotel occupies a meticulously restored colonial mansion on Plaza de la Independencia. Offers butler service, fine dining, spa, and rooms appointed with antiques. The hotel has hosted royalty and presidents since its 1930s opening.
Hotel Plaza Grande occupies a restored colonial mansion fronting the Plaza de la Independencia — also known as Plaza Grande — in the heart of Quito's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. The address on García Moreno at the corner of Chile places the hotel on the principal plaza of the Old Town, directly adjacent to the Presidential Palace (Palacio de Carondelet), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Archbishop's Palace, making it arguably the most historically significant location of any hotel in Ecuador. The property has been welcoming distinguished guests since the 1930s and is consistently recognised as Quito's most prestigious hotel address, having received heads of state, royalty, and international dignitaries over its long history.
The hotel's 15 suites and rooms are individually decorated with period antiques, original artwork, and colonial architectural details including coffered ceilings, carved wooden elements, and marble-clad bathrooms. Each suite reflects a distinct historical theme drawn from Ecuador's republican and colonial past. Butler service is provided throughout the stay, with personalised attention to each guest's preferences from arrival to departure. A concierge team manages every aspect of the guest's schedule including curated city tours, private museum visits, transfers, and restaurant reservations at Quito's leading establishments.
Dining at Hotel Plaza Grande centres on its fine-dining restaurant offering Ecuadorian and international cuisine prepared with seasonal highland ingredients. The bar and lounge are finished with decorative details referencing the property's colonial context and provide an intimate setting for aperitifs. A full-service spa in the lower levels of the building offers massages, facials, and body treatments, supplemented by an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness area.
The hotel's position on the Plaza Grande gives guests immediate pedestrian access to Quito's principal Old Town attractions. The Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesús, considered one of the finest Baroque religious structures in Latin America, is within two blocks. The Convento de San Francisco, Quito's most significant colonial monastery complex, is a five-minute walk. The Panecillo hill and El Ejido park are reachable on foot in under thirty minutes. The concierge arranges guided walking tours of the historic centre and day excursions to Cotopaxi, Otavalo, and the Mitad del Mundo equatorial monument. The property represents the foremost option in Quito for travellers seeking colonial atmosphere, butler-level personalised service, and a genuinely central historic-district location in the Ecuadorian capital.
Amenities
- butler service
- fine dining
- spa
- bar
- concierge
- colonial architecture
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +593 2-251-0777
Location
García Moreno N5-16 y Chile, Quito 170401, Ecuador
-0.2198, -78.5127 — View on map
Highlights
- Fronting Plaza de la Independencia, Quito's principal historic plaza, adjacent to the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral
- Fifteen individually decorated suites furnished with colonial antiques and period artwork, each with butler service
- Full-service spa with indoor pool, sauna, and treatment rooms within a UNESCO-listed historic building
- Fine-dining restaurant serving contemporary Ecuadorian cuisine in a colonial-era setting
- Concierge arranging private museum visits, Old Town walking tours, and day excursions to Cotopaxi and Otavalo
Tips
- Request a suite with plaza-facing windows for views over the Plaza de la Independencia and the illuminated cathedral facade at night
- Arrive early enough on Sundays to witness the flag-raising ceremony on the plaza, a weekly ritual with military honours that is a distinctive Quito experience
- Book a private guided tour of the Presidential Palace (Palacio de Carondelet), accessible by appointment and directly adjacent to the hotel
- The hotel bar is open to non-guests; visiting at dusk when the plaza lights come on provides a memorable experience for anyone exploring the Old Town
- Quito's UNESCO historic centre is one of the best preserved in the Americas — schedule at least a half-day for walking exploration of the surrounding colonial blocks
FAQ
How many rooms does Hotel Plaza Grande have?
The hotel has 15 individually designed suites and rooms, deliberately maintaining a small footprint to allow personalised butler service throughout. Early booking is essential, particularly from June to September and during the December holiday period.
How far is Hotel Plaza Grande from Mariscal Sucre International Airport?
The hotel is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from Mariscal Sucre airport by private transfer depending on traffic. The concierge arranges airport pickups and drop-offs. A standard taxi or rideshare from the airport to the historic centre takes approximately the same time.
Are the spa and restaurant available to non-guests?
The restaurant accepts reservations from non-guests, though early booking is recommended. Spa facilities are primarily reserved for hotel guests; non-guest access should be confirmed directly with the property.
What languages do Hotel Plaza Grande staff speak?
The hotel's multilingual concierge team operates in Spanish and English. Additional language assistance can generally be arranged with advance notice for guests with other language requirements.
Accessibility
Hotel Plaza Grande occupies a historic colonial building with architectural features including original stairways, stone floors, and elevated thresholds typical of restored Old Town properties. Some internal areas involve level changes. Guests with mobility requirements should contact the hotel directly to confirm which rooms and facilities can accommodate wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility.
When to visit
Quito's historic centre is accessible year-round. The drier months of June to September and December to January bring the clearest skies and the best conditions for exploring the city's colonial architecture and plaza life. The hotel's small room count means availability should be confirmed well ahead during these peak periods.