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Hero Image Exterior Of Hotel Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
Hero Image Exterior Of Hotel Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
Quito, Ecuador

Casa Gangotena Hotel

An aristocratic and elegant Art Deco mansion that feels intimate and personal, Casa Gangotena is a refined base from which to explore Quito. An aristocratic and elegant Art Deco mansion that feels intimate and personal, Casa Gangotena is a refined base from which to explore Quito.
An aristocratic and elegant Art Deco mansion that feels intimate and personal, Casa Gangotena is a refined base from which to explore Quito. An aristocratic and elegant Art Deco mansion that feels intimate and personal, Casa Gangotena is a refined base from which to explore Quito.
Quito’s Grand House of Heritage
Overlooking Quito’s Plaza San Francisco, Casa Gangotena stands on a site first developed in the 17th century as the House of San Miguel, built by the Ponce Castillejo family. It later became the residence of the influential Gangotena family, hosting political figures, writers and social gatherings until a major fire destroyed the mansion in 1914. The family rebuilt it between 1917 and 1922, adopting the elegant European styles fashionable at the time.

After decades of decline, the property was purchased in 2007 by Roque Sevilla of Metropolitan Touring, who led a meticulous restoration that preserved original architectural details. Today, the mansion stands as a refined boutique hotel honouring centuries of Quito’s history.
Birds Eye View Of Hotel Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito

Location

Casa Gangotena sits on the edge of Plaza San Francisco, one of the most atmospheric squares in Quito and the heart of the Historic Centre. From its front door, you step straight into a district shaped by monasteries, museums and gilded churches, with the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco and the Church of the Society of Jesus only moments away.

The hotel’s broad third‑floor terrace looks directly onto the plaza and the church façade, giving a superb vantage point over daily life in the Old Town. With colonial streets, cultural landmarks and lively public spaces all within a short walk, it offers an exceptional base for exploring central Quito.
Ecuador Casa Gangotena Junior Suite Angulo Gran Angular

Accommodation

Casa Gangotena offers 31 spacious and individual rooms across three floors, some looking into the hotel’s serene internal courtyard and others facing outward towards the church of La Compañía. Each room blends early‑20th‑century elegance with contemporary comfort: thick carpets, floor‑to‑ceiling windows, gilded curtains, and a mix of antique and art‑deco furniture. For an especially memorable stay, the Junior Suite is recommended, with its private balcony overlooking the garden.
There’s certainly an aristocratic feel to this impressive house. The broad third‑floor terrace provides excellent views over the city’s churches, while the salons and corridors are characterised by grand elegance. The garden and inner patio form quiet oases of lush vegetation, and the wood‑panelled bar – with its deep leather chairs and club‑like atmosphere – offers a refined place to unwind.

Dining showcases Ecuador’s past, present and future, served in an elegant restaurant that opens onto the courtyard. For a more exclusive experience, guests can book the private salon, once the Gangotena family’s ballroom. One unmissable daily ritual is the hotel’s Café Quiteño, a sumptuous interpretation of high tea enjoyed either in the restaurant or on the covered patio.
Ecuador Bathroom Luxury Plus Casa Gangotena Angulo Gran Angular
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Hotel Inner Patio Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
Rooftop Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
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Experiences

  • Step straight into Quito’s UNESCO‑listed Historic Centre, exploring churches, plazas and museums just moments from the hotel.
  • Wander Calle de la Ronda, discovering galleries, cosy bars, inviting restaurants and artisan workshops tucked into restored colonial houses.
  • Join the Quito Experiences programme, taking part in evening cultural activities that showcase local traditions without straying far from Casa Gangotena.
  • Explore the Museo del Banco Central, home to Ecuador’s finest collection of native art, from pre‑Columbian pieces to contemporary works.
  • Ride the TelefériQo cable car to the slopes of Pichincha volcano, enjoying sweeping views and, for the energetic, the chance to hike towards the summit.
  • Indulge in chocolate tasting, experience an Andean cleansing ritual, or take an exclusive monk‑led tour of the Church and Convent of San Francisco.
  • Watch daily life unfold on Plaza San Francisco, using the hotel’s terrace as a front‑row seat to Quito’s rhythms, festivals and street culture.
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Views From Bell Tower Casa Gangotena Hotel Quito
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Why We Include Casa Gangotena in Our Journeys

Casa Gangotena combines walk‑out centrality with the atmosphere of a grand historic mansion, placing you directly amid Quito’s UNESCO‑listed Old Town. Its position on Plaza San Francisco means the city’s churches, museums and colonial streets are only steps away, while the hotel itself brings a sense of importance and occasion to a stay.

Elegant salons, a superb terrace and calm garden spaces offer refined places to pause between explorations, and the property’s heritage, style and location together create an exceptional base for experiencing the cultural heart of Quito.

Talk to us about designing your journey >

Why Plan with Journeysmiths

Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.

Tailor-Made, Always
Every itinerary is designed from scratch, shaped around your pace, interests, and the people you’re travelling with.
Thoughtful Journey Design
Knowing when to slow down, when to add contrast, and how to balance adventure with comfort.
Honest, Experienced Advice
Including what to leave out, when to travel and how to make the most of your time on safari.
Family & Multi-Generational Specialists
From young children to teenagers and grandparents, we design safaris that work for everyone.
Trusted On-The-Ground Relationships
Longstanding partnerships mean seamless logistics, excellent guiding, and meaningful access.
Deep Destination Knowledge
We travel extensively to the locations we build into our journeys, returning regularly to refine our recommendations.
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Positive Impact

We prioritise working with properties that address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.

Community
Community
The hotel invests directly in the wellbeing and resilience of its surrounding community. It purchases 20% of its groceries within 500 steps of the property, integrates 12 local businesses into guest experiences, and provides training and mentorship to dozens of neighbourhood entrepreneurs through programmes such as ReEmprende Gastronomy and De Vuelta al Centro.
Environment
Environment
Casa Gangotena’s environmental actions include planting native flowers and trees in the Historic Centre and reducing CO₂ emissions through its solar‑panel system. As part of a wider tourism group with long experience in Ecuador’s protected regions, it aligns its operations with structured sustainability pillars that emphasise stewardship and responsible growth.
Community
Community
Casa Gangotena plays an active role in protecting Quito’s Historic Centre, operating not just as a hotel but as a committed neighbour within one of Latin America’s most significant heritage districts. Its work includes supporting emblematic local businesses, cultural preservation initiatives and civic campaigns that strengthen pride in the historic quarter.

Great Places to Combine with Casa Gangotena

Casa Gangotena works beautifully as part of a wider Latin American journey. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.Casa Gangotena works beautifully as part of a wider Latin American journey. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.

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