Casa Gangotena Hotel

A Les Clefs d'Or Concierge welcomes you to the grand reception, where a wrought-iron spiral staircase leads to the rooms. In the centre, there is a conservatory with a smattering of pastel armchairs and potted plants, where Quintenan High Tea is served in the afternoons. Tuck into the hotel's signature cuisine, cocina mastiza, with the likes of palm heart ceviche or 24-hour slow-cooked pancetta. Grab a drink at the elegant bar and for the ultimate sundowner spot, head to the terrace. For a good pamper, the spa offers a delicious menu of treatments including an Andean herb massage.

The rooms are pristine, decorated in pale cream and grey, with high, moulded ceilings and double-height windows. Even the most modest rooms are large, as are the marble-clad bathrooms, which all have a deep tub and shower. Art Deco furnishings, floral motifs and views over the courtyard or La Compania church finish the rooms perfectly. On the ground floor, two luxury rooms have private access to the flower garden and the first-floor Junior Suite is adorned with grand columns and an eye-catching mural.

Discover the diverse history of Quito on a wander through the city, discovering ancient Incan details and Spanish colonial plazas, with plenty of finely-built churches, cobblestone streets and museums along the way. You may even learn about some local myths that have stood the test of time - and don't forget to look to the winged Virgin statue sitting high on Panecillo Hill. Foodies will also love learning how to make ceviche like a true Quiteno or traditional hot chocolate made with cacao from the Amazon.