Casa Gangotena: new unique guest experiences in Quito’s historic heart

Casa Gangotena is a 31-key boutique hotel in a historic mansion where Neo-Classical architecture meets Art Nouveau and contemporary touches. Residing in a choice spot on Plaza San Francisco in Quito’s historic old town, Casa Gangotena offers immersion into the hidden treasures and lively spirit of the Ecuadorian capital. New for 2024 Casa Gangotena announce a lauded lineup of new unique, cultural guest experiences in Quito’s historic heart.

Voyage Through Time and Space at Casa Del Alabado Museum   

During your stay at Casa Gangotena, you’re invited to a complimentary two-hour guided tour of Casa Del Alabado Museum. Housed in a restored 16th-century mansion, the museum showcases over 5,000 artifacts spanning from 7000 BC to around 1530 AD. Explore ceremonial and utilitarian objects made from ceramic, stone, shell, metal, textile, and wood, offering a glimpse into Ecuador’s rich cultural heritage.

Learn the Secrets of Ecuador’s Cocina Mestiza

Join Casa Gangotena’s head chef for an immersive cooking class, delving into Ecuador’s diverse ingredients and culinary customs. Together, you’ll explore the art of crafting the renowned “Cocina Mestiza,” an award-winning fusion cuisine that celebrates Ecuador’s rich culinary heritage.

Dive Into the World of Ecuadorian Chocolate

Inside a charming nearby chocolate shop, you are invited to discover the secrets behind what makes Quito’s cacao unique. Explore the flavour and art of tasting chocolate whilst customising your own chocolate bar, using a range of ingredients according to your preference.

Legends & Secrets of the Historic Centre

This guided experience invites you to wander through Quito’s captivating, history-laden cobbled streets, exploring beyond the mansions and churches’ facades, and discovering the often-hidden, compelling human stories that lie beyond. You’ll learn about the legends and myths of our emblematic neighbourhood and the natural and fictional characters that make our historic centre such an iconic place in Latin America.

Renew your Energy with an Ancestral Cleansing

Experience the essence of the Andean world with the ancient practice of limpia. Led by a skilled limpiadora, you’ll discover the secrets of this traditional therapy amidst the natural setting of her workspace, surrounded by medicinal plants. Then, in the serenity of your hotel room, immerse yourself in the tranquil healing of the limpia. This unique experience will leave you with a deep feeling of peace and tranquillity, connecting you with the spiritual and healing roots of the Andes.

Exclusive nighttime visit to the Mystical Cupolas and Towers of the Old Town

Enjoy a unique night-time visit, available to very few visitors to the capital, to one of the nearby churches’ domes and towers to soak up the magic of Quito’s Old Town from a different perspective. The after-hours visits feel mystical as you enter the realm of their Colonial-era enclosures, wander the quiet corridors, and make your way up creaking staircases to their rooftops, where stunning views of the floodlit historic centre await.

Uncover the mansion’s history and marvel at the views from the terrace

Step back in time to explore the historic mansion of Casa Gangotena, once the home of one of the city’s most prestigious and wealthy families. On this tour you’ll discover some the Gangotena family myths and legends while recounting the illustrious people who called the mansion home. Reaching the third floor, you will uncover more about the stunning 270º views of Quito’s historic centre, brimming with churches and convents, squares, and daily life, amid a backdrop of dramatic mountains, cupped by the jagged peaks of the Andes’ “Avenue of the Volcanoes.”

Indulge in Ecuador culinary delights at the Casa Gangotena Restaurant

Casa Gangotena celebrates Ecuador’s diverse flavours with “Cocina Mestiza” (Mestizo Cuisine), a masterful fusion of the country’s mountains, coasts, and rainforests. Chefs expertly blend ancestral creativity with global influences, crafting contemporary dishes like Manabita Ceviche, Andean Duck with Apple Purée, and Langostine and Herb Bisque Gyozas, each offering a unique culinary experience reflecting Ecuador’s coastal, Andean, and cultural influences.