If you find yourself in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest and arguably most charming city, stay at the chic new Casa Ordoñez. This boutique hotel opened on September 19 in a beautifully renovated mansion. The home has been in owner Alberto Ordoñez’s family since 1906 and his connection to and care for the property is apparent in the hotel’s thoughtful design. Fresh, comfortable rooms surround a sunlit courtyard framed by the hotel’s whitewashed walls and stained glass windows. Though the hotel abounds with modern comforts, the charm and granduer of the historic family home are still present in touches like a formal salon that will be used to hold Spanish lessons. With cozy sitting rooms around every corner guests might have a hard time leaving the hotel, but their exploration of Cuenca will be aided by guided tours arranged by Ordoñez.
The hotel is just two blocks away from Gran Columbia Ave, a hotspot for bars and restaraunts. While In Cuenca visit Ingapirca, Ecuador´s most famous Inca ruins, stop for lunch at Cafe Moliendo, and have a drink at the German owned Wunderbar. Early rates for Casa Ordoñez range from US $45 to $65 with breakfast. For more information check the website
I stayed here this summer and it was just as described. The hotel is absolutely charming and the staff could not be more accomodating. The food and drinks were also fantastic. And it is in a great location in the historic part of Cuenca. I would highly recommend Casa Ordonez!!!
My wife and I stayed here (Casa Ordoñez) 6 incredible nights. I can’t imagine any place in the world where you could feel more welcome. The accommodations were great, the food and drink was fabulous. Our many tours (around town, Inca ruins, National Park) were wonderful. You won’t find a better value anywhere. With so many varied rooms, you could host a very large family reunion here. Enjoy!
from the two comments, I’d like to look into this further ~ BUT ~ other than the reviews, I can’t find this hotel listed ANYWHERE.
The web-link does not work.
I’m looking to go to the area in Feb.2008 and this seems the kind of place I’d look at, if only I could figure out WHERE
The house is beautifull ,the people is very charm if somebody is going to ecuador stay in the beautifull hotel
the website is http://www.casa-ordonez.com
check it out
I spent three nights in this conveniently located hostal, perfect for the work I had to do in the colonial center of town. I was within walking distance to the museums, cultural events and nightspots that make Cuenca famous. The owner-hosts made me feel like a member of the family–couldn’t have been more accommodating. The home-cooked meals were wonderful. I will return.
We spent 2 nights here, over Christmas actually, as we wanted to treat ourselves, and what a treat it was! We loved this place, as it was incredibly friendly and hospitable, right in the city centre and all the comforts we needed. The beds were firm and comfortable and plush, clean modern bathrooms, cable TV and refurbished antiques. This place is just beautiful with its refurbished hardwood floors and stained glass windows and the dining area in gorgeous. Breakfast every morning like you are staying at one of the fancy hotels. This is our favourite accommodations in all of Ecuador and we just stumbled upon it, as it´s very new and not listed in any of the travel guide books…yet!! Thank you so much for the fabulous service and for making our stay comfortable.
We are french and we stay in ordonez for 5 days.
The service is marvelous, and we spend really good time there. Anyone working here has only one thing in mind: our plaisure!
Thank you again, We will keep the stay in mind as a perfect stay!!
We stayed at Casa Ordoñez for 6 nights and enjoyed it thoroughly.
The city of Cuenca has many sites worth seeing. The churches, the markets and the artesans are noteworthy. The city is clean, attractive and we spent many hours strolling throughout.
We participated in cultural events going to a performance at the Banco Central which was an exceptional evening of music. The museum at the Banco Central is has well designed exhibits on Ecuadorian culture.
We also explored the surrounding countryside, hiking in the beautiful nearby park Las Cajas. We followed this with a trip to nearby Baños to soak out the kinks in the volcanically heated pools.
All our explorations were aided by the family at Casa Ordoñez. The atmosphere was comfortable and the service personal and warm. We felt privileged to be welcomed into the center of this wonderful family. I highly recommend a stay in Cuenca with the Ordoñez family.
If you are looking for a home away from home, Casa Ordonez is the best choice that you could make. It is located just a couple of blocks from the main park next to the magnificent cathedral in the center of Cuenca. Your stay at this fine hotel will be memorable because of the wonderful attention that the family that run the place will provide to you and yours. Meals can be had in the hotel, cooked by the owners, and any additional details that you made need to make your stay in the impressive city of Cuenca, will be provided most helpfully. Although it is centrally located, at night it is very quiet, with no traffic noise at all. The rooms are most comfortable, and in the morning your breakfast will be served at the time of your choice. I could not recommend a better place to stay while you enjoy the historic city of Cuenca.
C’est une adresse que l’on voudrait ne garder que pour soi, comme un tresor caché, pour qu’il ne s’abime pas.
C’est d’abord un cadre, magnifique, chargé d’Histoire. En plein coeur de Cuenca mais protégé par des murs épais et par l’envie aussi que rien ne s’abime là, cela se sent…
En entrant on découvre tout d’abord le patio, ou j’ai aimé écrire le matin, pendant que la maison dormait. La lumière y entre par une verrière, souligne les balcons qui le bordent tout autour et éclaire les quelques plantes qui poussent en son milieu. Parfois il y a de la musique, mais juste en fond sonore, jamais envahissante. Parfois il y a le silence et c’est très bien aussi. Souvent il y a le sourire des hotes de ces lieux. Et quel sourire ! Que de douceur et de générosité dans les yeux de la famille Ordonez !
Ensuite il y a les chambres, toutes uniques et dans lesquelles on se sent chez soi. Certaines ont une terrasse avec une table, des chaises et un charme incroyable.
Et puis il y a deux salons. Chacun a son ambiance, aucune n’est ampoulée. Non, c’est juste élégant, raffiné, accueillant. Il n’y manque qu’une bibliothèque dans le grand salon, et peut-être un éclairage pour lire dans le salon-télé. Mais ça c’est personnel, parce que je ne regarde pas télé et parce que j’aime les livres.
Enfin et surtout il y a la famille Ordonez. Que de bonté, de tendresse et de délicates attentions reçoit-on ici ! Quel bonheur de rencontrer de telles personnes et d’être accueilli dans leur maison.
C’est une adresse que l’on voudrait protéger parce qu’ils sont si rares les lieux comme celui là.
Merci pour tout. Sincèrement.
Sorry, I can’t translate this word by word because my translation will be really bellow what I felt there…
It’s a wonderful place, a beautiful house, rich of History and of elegance. It’s also and above all a wonderful family who host you as if you were a part of it. And THIS is so good !
Thank you for everything dear Ordonez family, everything was more than perfect. Your house is beautiful, your cook is delicious and you are really really wonderful. Such generosity is so rare. Ans so good.
Gracias.
Anna
We arrived in Casa Ordonez for a long weekend, and we were pleasantly surprised with the beautiful building we were welcomed into. Casa Ordonez provides a wonderful place for a the quintessential Cuencan experience. The staff made us feel at home every step of the way. From picking us up at the airport, to bringing us popcorn while we watched a movie one evening we always felt like we at home. I cannot speak highly enough about the attention from the staff or the facilities. This is a great place to explore Cuenca at a great value.
The Casa Ordonez is THE PLACE TO STAY when in Cuenca. We stayed with Alberto and his family on our recent trip to Ecuador (April 08) and due to the fabulous atmosphere and incredible hospitality we extended our stay from 2 nights to 5 nights. As a manager of a luxury hotel in the US – I appreciate how important good hospitality is to the guest experience. Never in my life have I felt more welcome and comfortable than when staying at the Casa Ordonez. Abuelito, Maria Ines, Alberto and Jorge go out of their way to make you feel like a part of their family. The city of Cuenca had just presented the “best restoration of the year” award to the Casa Ordonez the week before we arrived. The renovated home has been in the family for over 100 years and is located only 2 blocks from the main plaza with the Old and New Cathedrals. We were truly lucky to stumble upon this place the night before arriving in Cuenca. The word is not out yet but it won’t be long before this place is so popular you will need to book in advance. Do yourselves a favor and plan on a stay at the Casa Ordonez – you will not regret it.
it would be helpful if you would publish the website for this hotel or some way of contacting them, the link in the article does not work. thanks
My wife and I were visiting Ecuador from the U.S. and had only planned on staying in Cuenca for one day, but once we found the Casa Ordonez we decided to stay an extra night. Every room is unique, and ours was very comfortable and quiet. The staff was very quick to respond to any requests we had, and the freshly made breakfast each morning was delicious. There’s no doubt where we’ll be staying the next time we visit Cuenca.
A visit to Cuenca should be part of everyone’s visit to Ecuador. A World Heritage Site, the architecture is as beautiful and interesting as Quito. If you stay at Casa Ordonez, you can experience the Colonial Spanish architecture first hand. We were met at the airport by the owner, Alberto Ordonez, and driven to the hotel. He speaks perfect English and was happy to assist us with restaurants and tours. Each room is unique — ours was spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is served in the downstairs courtyard — cereal, fresh fruit, yoghurt, fresh bread, and eggs cooked to order. The location is very convenient to walk all around town.
I just wanted to say thank you very much to Jorge Ordoñez and his staff. We spent a few days in his “Casa Ordoñez” and I can confirm he chose a really good name for the hotel, “CASA” We really felt like we were at home.
Whatever problem appeared Alberto or Jorge used to come with the solution, thank Jorge to permit me call from your personal mobile, thank you Jorge for offering me to send all the staff I forgot from Cuenca to Quito wihout asking for any compensation.
Alberto, mi abuelo decía: “desagradecido… mal nacido”, muchas gracias por todo amigo.
Finally, Alberto “muchas gracias” to create such nice place to be in Cuenca.
Nice ambiance: Has an Old World Charm…The Service was excellent, Owner, Alberto goes out of his way to make sure you are satisfied…My room was clean; the bathroom was clean and there was plenty of hot water, with good pressure…The location was also very convenient to walking all around the old city. The breakfeasts were good, especially the coffee. Good place to go with the family.