Where to Stay in Quito (+ BEST Quito Neighborhoods)

Quito is one of the most beautiful and interesting capital cities in Latin America, and with so many things to do in Quito, it’s well worth a visit. But Quito is a truly MASSIVE city, making it hard to narrow down exactly where to stay in Quito.

For most visitors, there are a few popular neighborhoods in Quito, Ecuador worth considering when picking a hostel, hotel, or apartment to stay in – welcoming and safe places in Quito surrounded by lots to see and do.

Keep reading for our ultimate guide to where to stay in Quito, Ecuador, including a neighborhood guide and recommendations for the best accommodations in Quito on every budget. Plus, check out our Quito neighborhoods map to see the best neighborhoods to stay in Quito.

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Where To Stay in Quito

It’s hard to understand just how large and spread out of a city that Ecuador’s capital of Quito truly is. Though public transportation and taxis are quite affordable here, you’ll want to make sure to base yourself in one of the most central neighborhoods of the city to have access to the best things to do in Quito.

Looking for our top recommendations for the best hotels in the city? Here are our top picks – they’re all located in charming and safe neighborhoods and will provide some of the best experiences the city has to offer.

Wherever you end up staying in Quito, make sure you check the location on a map before booking and don’t stray too far from these central neighborhoods.

Quito Neighborhoods

The best neighborhoods to stay in Quito are by far the Historic Center, La Mariscal (also known as Foch or Mariscal Foch, for Plaza Foch located at the center of the neighborhood), and Parque La Carolina.

Each of these neighborhoods is perfect for a different type of traveler and travel experience:

• The Historic Center – Where to stay in Quito for historic hotels and charming accommodations – and great views!
• La Mariscal – Where to stay in Quito for backpackers and budget accommodation options near the city’s liveliest restaurants and nightlife.
• Parque La Carolina – Where to stay in Quito for apartment-style living, modern accommodations, and digital nomads in Ecuador.

Outside of these neighborhoods, you will still find plenty of places to stay and beautiful accommodations – some at much cheaper price points! – but I recommend travelers stick with places in one of these three neighborhoods.

Not only do the Historic Center, La Mariscal, and Parque La Carolina neighborhoods tend to be safe places to stay in Quito, but they just have so much more to offer travelers.

Some exceptions to this rule include neighborhoods adjacent to these ones, like La Floresta near La Mariscal, or González Suarez or Guápulo between La Mariscal and Parque La Carolina. These neighborhoods also have great places to stay located just outside of these three main neighborhoods.

Historic Center Quito

The Historic Center in Quito is where to stay in Quito for historic hotels and charming accommodations – with great views! – even on a budget.

Here you will find the majority of the attractions in Quito and things to do in Quito, so staying close is most convenient. This neighborhood is generally quite walkable (aside from a few hilly sections!) and compact, meaning you’ll be able to save more money on transportation by staying here.

Though the historic center is home to some of the city’s nicest (and most expensive) hotels, there are plenty of options for staying on a budget as well – two of my favorites are Vista del Angel and Hotel Casona 1914.

Where To Stay in The Historic Center of Quito

The Secret Garden ($)

La Mariscal may have more hostels than the historic center, but my favorite hostel in Quito, The Secret Garden is located in the Historic Center! This hostel has all kinds of rooms for travelers on any budget – including nice private rooms! – and the most spectacular rooftop bar/restaurant with views of the whole city.

If you’re lucky enough to have a warm and sunny day, eating breakfast or having a beer on The Secret Garden roof overlooking the historic center is worth the price of a stay itself!

Reviews and Bookings: The Secret Garden

Vista del Angel ($$)

Quito is all about incredible views, and you won’t find a better view of the city than you will at Vista del Angel. Rooms are simple yet charming at this small boutique hotel, and the service is excellent. You’ll be just a few minutes away from everything there is to see and do in the Historic Center of the city, making this a great option for enjoying the historic center on a budget.  

Reviews and Bookings: Vista del Angel

Hotel Casona 1914 ($$)

The beautiful Hotel Casona 1914 is set within a historic colonial building at the entrance to the historic center of the city, near the Basilica, and conveniently located near transportation options to easily get around the city. Rooms are beautiful and feel luxurious, though surprisingly affordable, making Hotel Casona 1914 the perfect place for a retreat in Quito.

Reviews and Bookings: Hotel Casona 1914

Hotel Carlota ($$ – $$$)

The charming Hotel Carlota was built in a reclaimed and updated colonial building and has a touch of modern alongside the historic. Just two blocks away from the center of the historic center – the Plaza Grande – you can’t find a better spot in the best area to stay in Quito. A big bonus: the rooftop terrace has incredible views of El Panecillo and the rest of the historic center.

Reviews and Bookings: Hotel Carlota

Casa Gangotena ($$$)

Casa Gangotena easily earns the title of the is the nicest hotel in Quito, and is considered one of the finest hotels in South America. Located in Plaza San Francisco, Casa Gangotena is within a charming colonial building and has an incredible view of Iglesia San Francisco and the mountains surrounding the city.

Here you’ll be staying in the best part of the Historic Center with unforgettable views and opulent rooms to match. Rooms are pricey by Ecuadorian standards, but to stay in such a luxurious hotel anywhere else would easily cost double or triple the price. Casa Gangotena is truly an unforgettable destination.

Reviews and Bookings: Casa Gangotena

La Mariscal

La Mariscal – also known as Mariscal Foch or La Foch – is where to stay in Quito for backpackers and budget accommodation options near the city’s liveliest restaurants and nightlife.

The La Mariscal neighborhood is centered around the Plaza Foch, a central plaza surrounded by cafes, bars, and restaurants, and considered one of the centers of nightlight in Quito. Here you’ll find tons of backpackers, remote workers based in Quito, and expats at any time of the day.

But La Mariscal is more than nightlife in Plaza Foch! It’s an area filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, language schools, and more that is appealing to all kinds of travelers. No matter what brings you to Quito, La Mariscal is worth exploring and is one of the best places to stay in Quito Ecuador.

Even if you aren’t a backpacker and are looking for a bit nicer accommodation, La Mariscal still has a lot to offer. Here you’ll find plenty of modern restaurants serving Ecuadorian food and international food, breweries, cafes, and more.

Where To Stay in La Mariscal

Hostal Posada del Maple ($)

Hostal Posada del Maple is a great hostel option in this Quito neighborhood and one of the nicest in La Mariscal. There aren’t any dorm rooms like you might expect in a hostel, but privates are very affordable. The rooms are clean and large, the staff is helpful, and the common space is a great place to meet people.

Reviews and Bookings: Hostal Posada del Maple

Selina Quito ($ – $$)

Selina Quito offers a mix of shared dorm rooms and private rooms, all at affordable prices and in a great part of La Mariscal. Onsite you’ll find a restaurant and café, as well as plenty of regular events like yoga, walking tours of the city, and day trip excursions.

Selina Quito is a good place to stay for digital nomads in Ecuador. With monthly rates and coworking space included, you’ll meet tons of remote workers and like-minded travelers here.

Reviews and Bookings: Selina Quito

Ikala Quito Hotel ($$)

The Ikala Quito Hotel boutique hotel is simple and modern but an extremely affordable option. It’s perfect for those looking to stay in this lively neighborhood on a budget who might not want to stay in a hostel. Rooms are modern and clean with every amenity!

Reviews and Bookings: Ikala Quito Hotel

Casa Joaquin ($$)

This boutique hotel in La Mariscal is a nice mix of historic colonial and modern comfort in the La Mariscal neighborhood. At Casa Joaquin, rooms are comfortable, the location is excellent, and the rooftop terrace has a beautiful view. Casa Joaquin also offers some apartment-style rooms if you’ll be in the city for several days.

Reviews and Bookings: Casa Joaquin

Parque La Carolina

The Parque La Carolina neighborhood is where to stay in Quito for apartment-style living, modern accommodations, and digital nomads in Ecuador.

In this Quito neighborhood centering around Parque La Carolina, one of the city’s nicest parks and a weekend favorite for many Quiteños, you’ll find apartments for rent in modern high rises with tons of amenities. If you’re looking for apartment-style stays while in Quito, this is the place to find it.

You’ll also find your fair share of large upscale hotels as well, like the JW Marriott with its killer pool, sauna, and steam rooms, or the Wyndham Garden Quito. The La Carolina area of Quito is also filled with trendy new restaurants and bars, and there is plenty to see and do here day and night. You certainly will not get bored in this Quito neighborhood, one of the city’s most popular.

Parque La Carolina is also well served by local transport like the main Ecovia bus line that runs north and south across the city, as well as plenty of other bus lines. You can get to the Historic Center in about 15-20 minutes via public transport – or less in a taxi.

Where To Stay in Parque La Carolina

Luxury Residence Suites ($ – $$)

The Luxury Residence Suites apartments are some of the BEST options in the city for those looking for an apartment-style stay, or where to stay in Quito for a longer stay. They offer several apartments for rent within a luxury highrise near the park, allowing guests access to a pool, spa, fitness center, and more.

Reviews and Bookings: Luxury Residence Suites

JW Marriott ($$)

The JW Marriott has every amenity, including a fabulous buffet breakfast, great pools, saunas, and steam rooms, as well as a convenient location near the park. We stayed at the JW Marriott several times while living in Quito, and it was truly a great choice – that’s why we kept going back!

Reviews and Bookings: JW Marriott

Quito Airport Hotel

The airport in Quito is located quite a fair distance outside of the city, easily a drive of nearly an hour from the main parts of the city. The trip can take even longer if you travel by bus or during rush hour traffic, so if you have an early flight, it may make sense to stay at a hotel near the airport.

A few years ago, the brand new, very nice Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel opened right next to the airport with rooms at a very reasonable rate. Located within a five-minute drive of the airport, and with airport shuttles leaving the arrivals terminal frequently, the Wyndham Quito Airport is the best place to stay near the airport.

You’ll find an on-site restaurant, pool, gym, and bar to keep you busy before your flight, and the entire hotel is very modern and sparkling clean.

The Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel is a fantastic option for those with just a very short time in Quito, perhaps travelers heading out or coming from a Galapagos cruise departing from Guayaquil. You can even store your luggage here if need be!

Another nearby option is the brand new Holiday Inn – Quito Airport, just slightly farther from the airport, but at a very similar price point at the Wyndham and most of the same amenities.