Hacienda Piman

With a mossy roof and pristine, white stairs, the hacienda is pretty as a picture. Its interiors are filled with art and antiques collected from all over the world, black-and-white photographs and plenty of spots to curl up with a book. With generous windows and exposed brick walls, the restaurant boasts five menus of farm-to-table Ecuadorian and international fare. In the garden, there is a heated pool, once fed with water from the paramo, where jazz music gently plays.

In the manor house, a grand staircase leads to seven guestrooms, while there are a further 10 rooms in the garden cottages. Each is individually designed and features a large, plush bed, framed floral sketches and delicate accoutrements. Colourful details add a unique touch, inspired by the family's artistic traditions. The en-suite bathrooms have rainfall showers, ornate mirrors and dual basins. The in-house rooms have a more heritage feel with heavy wooden shutters, while the cottage rooms are lighter with wide windows and private patios.

You can hike, bike and horseback ride to your heart's content alongside one of the hacienda's seasoned guides. For longer excursions, jump in a jeep where you'll drive to Cotacachi Volcano and see the stunning caldera, straddle the 'Equator' (and hear a few myths debunked) and see the acres of Seussian plants in El Angel. Visit Otavalo's famous market where you'll find more than a few souvenirs, see the pre-Columbian pyramids of Cochasqui, and trek to see spectacled bears. Then, when you’re tuckered out, head to the hacienda’s spa…