NEED TO KNOW
- The rooms have garden and mountain views and some provide access to private gardens, terraces or a courtyard where hummingbirds feed
- Hacienda Zuleta is located in the Andean cloud forest about two and a half hours northeast of Quito
- Wonderful Ecuadorian cuisine is created from fresh ingredients from Zuleta's organic garden, and is carefully prepared by hand
- Other facilities include lovely gardens, cosy living and reading rooms, horse-riding, mountain bikes and a horse drawn carriage rides
THE HOTEL
Dating from the late XVI century, Hacienda Zuleta lies in the spectacular Andean mountain range, 9,600 feet (2,800 meters) above the sea level and only two hours north of Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
Zuleta is a colonial working farm of 4,000 acres and has been owned by the family of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, a former president of Ecuador, for more than 100 years. Incredibly friendly and inclusive, arriving at this hotel feels more like being welcomed into the home of a long lost friend.
As the structure of the original colonial building could not be drastically changed, every room has its different shape and charm. All are individually decorated with antiques, authentic family pictures and hand embroidered linens - again transmitting the feeling of a private home.
This working farm has recently opened to visitors for a minimum of three nights and there is plenty to do and see. Local workers are only too pleased to show guests the dairy and cheese factory, organic garden, tree nursery, trout farm, an embroidery workshop owned by the indigenous community, and the successful condor-recuperation and raising project.
First experience with A&K. Intended to ask various travel companies for quotes but Vicky (Agnew) was so good with her suggestions that we did not seek alternative quotations the suggested itinerary was excellent and helped us decide on a balanced and interesting holiday.
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