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Where to Stay in Quito

6 neighborhoods compared with map and hotel picks

Top Neighborhoods in Quito

What each area is best for, with quick pros and cons.

Old Town (Centro Histórico)

#1

UNESCO heart + 16th-century churches + Plaza Grande. Best base for cultural travel.

La Mariscal (Gringolandia)

#2

Tourist hub + cheap hostels + nightlife + Plaza Foch. Less safe at night.

La Floresta

#3

Hipster bohemian + craft cafés + boutique hotels + safer than Mariscal.

La Carolina

#4

Modern business + 5-star hotels + main park + La Carolina Mall.

Cumbayá

#5

Suburban valley 30 min from center + cheaper accommodations.

Mindo (cloud forest, 2h west)

#6

Cloud forest day/overnight trip + 350+ bird species + zip-lining.

Featured Hotels in Quito

Hand-picked properties with style, location, and value.

Casa Gangotena

Casa Gangotena

Heritage

5-star Old Town palace + Plaza San Francisco views

From $300/night ★ 4.9 (2,400+)
Book on Trip.com
JW Marriott Quito

JW Marriott Quito

5-star La Carolina business + spa + pool

From $180/night ★ 4.7 (4,400+)
Book on Trip.com
Illa Experience Hotel

Illa Experience Hotel

Boutique

5-star Old Town boutique + 1730 building + spa

From $250/night ★ 4.8 (1,400+)
Book on Trip.com

Find Hotels on the Map

Live availability and prices from Booking.com, Hotels.com, Vrbo, and more — filter by your dates and budget.

* Stay22 affiliate widget — supports TripPick at no extra cost.

Booking Tips for Quito

  • Book 3-4 months ahead for cherry blossom (late March-early April), autumn foliage (Oct-Nov), and year-end. Prices double or triple in these windows.
  • Free cancellation matters — Booking.com and Agoda usually let you cancel 24-48h before. Lock in the lower of "non-refundable" vs "free cancel" by comparing both rates.
  • Stay near a transit hub — being 5 minutes from a major train/metro station is worth more than fancy amenities you'll barely use.
  • Read recent reviews (last 3-6 months) — older reviews can mislead after renovations, ownership changes, or service decline.
  • Hotels often beat Airbnb in Quito — easier check-in, no language barrier, daily cleaning, and similar prices for solo/couple travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best area to stay in Quito?
For first-time visitors, Old Town (Centro Histórico) is typically the best base — UNESCO heart + 16th-century churches + Plaza Grande. Best base for cultural travel.. We've compared 6 key neighborhoods below with their pros and cons.
When should I book a hotel in Quito?
For peak seasons (cherry blossom, autumn foliage, year-end), book 3-4 months ahead — prices often double and top hotels sell out. For off-season, 4-6 weeks ahead is usually enough. Booking.com and Agoda commonly allow 24-48 hour cancellation; lock in early and adjust later if needed.
Should I stay near the airport or the city center?
For 1-2 night layovers or early flights, airport hotels make sense. For 3+ days, always stay in the city center — even a 30-minute commute eats hours of sightseeing time. Quito's central districts have extensive transit, so 'city center' usually means easy access to most attractions.
What's the average hotel price in Quito?
Budget hostels and capsule hotels: $10/night. 3-star hotels: $22/night. 4-5 star or boutique luxury: $70+/night. Cherry blossom, summer holidays, and year-end push prices 50-100% higher.
Are Airbnbs allowed in Quito?
Yes, with regulations. Stick to legitimate licensed listings (look for permit numbers in the listing). Hotels often offer better cancellation terms and are easier for solo travelers. For families or groups of 4+, apartment rentals usually offer more space at similar cost.
Do hotels in Quito accept foreign credit cards?
Major hotels and chains accept Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Smaller boutique hotels and ryokan-style inns may be cash-only or only accept Japanese cards — confirm before booking. Always have backup cash for incidentals.

More on Quito

Cost guide, attractions, day trips — plan the rest of your trip.

Why you can trust where-to-stay guide

Jimmy Kong TripPick founder · Travel content creator

Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.

8+ years analyzing travel data 30+ countries visited Live exchange rate verified
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