Hotel Snapshot
Located in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, Hotel del Parque is a true sanctuary for travels seeking culture, history and award-winning cuisine. This Relais & Châteaux property has been carefully restored to maintain its 19th-century charm, and with only 44 rooms across two floors, intimacy and exclusivity are a given. Signature eatery Casa Julián is highly regarded as one of Ecuador’s best restaurants, and the hotel’s unique and safe location within Guayaquil's Historic Park allows guests to immerse themselves in a riverside setting that effortlessly blends the past and present.
Design & Character
The first thing guests see when entering the hotel is a posh lobby with grey and white checkered floors, regal purple accents and a chic painting featuring two black Dobermann’s. After checking in, you’re led to a spacious accommodation on either the first or second floor. There are also two courtyards in the center of the colonial-style estate—one is the resto-cafe El Jardin, the other is a standard garden courtyard with trickling fountains and communal seating. Despite its private setting and intimate ambiance, the property feels open and airy, reflecting the natural surroundings.
There is also a historic Gothic chapel at the back of the property, and within its crowning bell tower is where you’ll find Hotel del Parque’s serene spa. Enjoy a 360º view of the gardens while indulging in a restorative massage underneath the church’s original wooden beams.
The Rooms
While you can choose between standard rooms and larger suites, the style and decor remain consistent across accommodations. Light grey walls and wooden floors are contrasted with bright yellow accent chairs and pillows, creating a modern scene that pays tribute to the hotel’s Old World origins. Heavy patterned curtains do well to keep morning light out of the large French-style windows, and in the bathrooms, cool white marble extends from the floors to the large walk-in showers, alluding to a more contemporary style.
The Park Suite is the property’s crème de la crème, featuring a separate living room and dining room that allows you to feel right at home. Four large windows offer a picturesque view of the park, while the master bathroom features a free-standing bathtub overlooking the vibrant tropical gardens below.
The Food & Drink
Hotel del Parque’s El Jardin restaurant is where you can start each day with an elegant buffet-style breakfast, complete with fresh-squeezed juices, house-made pastries, comforting Ecuadorian soups, and more. In the evening, the romantic setting transforms with candlelit tables, dim lighting, and ambient music, setting the scene for pisco sours and shrimp and octopus ceviche.
Casa Julián, however, is the hotel’s main culinary delight. Located across the cobblestone road in a pink colonial-style building with stunning white trim, Casa Julián is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant that puts a contemporary twist on Ecuadorian cuisine. Each dish is a work of art, plated with the finest craftsmanship. The tasting menu is an excellent option for those seeking a well-rounded experience, featuring Casa Julián’s best dishes, but you can also order à la carte and choose your own adventure. Certain starters change with the seasons, but a few can’t-miss dishes include the local catch crudo, smoked tuna carpaccio, sweet plantain tartar, and the picanha with a side of rice and beans.
If you’re craving a more casual meal, walk over to La Pergola for Daule River views, tapas, and an ice-cold Pilsener.
The Amenities
In addition to standard amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, concierge service, laundry service, and a buffet-style breakfast that’s included in your nightly rate, Hotel del Parque houses a gym, a spa, and a reading room with various games, TVs, and laptops. Should you wish to embark on a more private dining experience that’s a bit more romantic than room service, the property can also organize an intimate dinner on the river dock or elsewhere in the park.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Tucked behind a private gate with 24/7 security, guests can feel at ease knowing there is restricted access to this historic park. Given Guayaquil’s not-so-great safety reputation, we recommend staying within the park, especially at night. Thankfully, there is plenty to do and see.
Throughout a majority of the week (besides Mondays and Tuesdays), the cobblestone streets and walkways come to life with vendors selling souvenirs, handmade ice cream bars, and accessories, giving you a perfect opportunity to do some shopping and support the locals. The Wildlife Zone, however, is the biggest highlight. Though you can catch a glimpse of certain animals, like the monkeys, from the park's main road, you’ll want to buy tickets and do the full walk-through to see all of the exhibits. From vibrant parrots to crocodiles and jaguars, you’ll spot several different animals while strolling along the picturesque wooden path that is draped in whimsical trees and greenery.
Fast Facts
Location: Parque Histórico Guayaquil, Samborondón
Rating: 5-star
Room Count: 44 rooms and suites
Pricing: Prices start around $400 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Casa Julián and the historic park it sits in. All of the dining concepts at this hotel are top-notch, but nothing beats being able to walk right out of the lobby doors and stroll through the idyllic cobblestone streets while listening to the sounds of nature from the Wildlife Zone next door.
Dining: Casa Julián and El Jardín.
Amenities: Room service, Wi-Fi, laundry services, buffet breakfast, gym, spa, 24/7 concierge, cooking classes, and a reading room.
Nearby Attractions: The Wildlife Zone, local vendors, La Pergola, playgrounds, a historic Gothic chapel and the Daule River.
Airport: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
