Hosteria San Jose – Puembo

[DIANE OUTERBRIDGE]

You asked for feedback on Hosteria San Jose (or Garden Hotel San Jose). Bob and I stayed there 2 nights till we could get into an apartment rental in Quito. Very nice room with beautiful garden views…nice walking around gardens and acreage (after long flight from Nova Scotia). Large bathroom/dressing area…beautiful, old hacienda with good restaurant (but limited menu, same for lunch and dinner). They uncovered swimming pool for us (and turned on hot tub, cold tub, steam and sauna!) Nice “spa” day with no one else using the facilities! People very friendly…handled reservation/payment on line before arrival. Taxi driver from new airport got lost finding it, but many stops/questions later…we found it…after 40 min. Price was $120 for 2 beds and breakfast. Comparable to Quito rates (but this was Tues/Weds of Easter week and Quito was booked up). This was much more relaxing and a great way to unwind and be ready to go. I recommend it and we will return.

[DANICA ROBERTSON]

Hi Diane.  Nice to hear from someone from the Atlantic provinces (or so I assume).  We’re heading down in May (for our first visit), coming from PEI  Just wanted to say “hi” to a fellow Maritimer.  Hope you have a great trip/stay.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- SUZAN HASKINS]

Thanks for the review, Diane, that is good to hear!

[DIANE OUTERBRIDGE]

Hi Danica. Yes, we’re Maritimers (transplanted 10 years ago from Colorado!) This is our second trip to Ecuador. Last year we made the decision to be in Pakakuna Gardens (outside of Quito). For a while, we’ll keep our Bridgewater home (on water) and be here during the winter/cold times. Construction on our home is going great-guns (and is beautiful). We’re picking out the tile flooring and countertops now. But their choice on finishings is pretty darn good. We’ll be heading back to Halifax on May 7 (we actually leave here May 6 to Miami thru Panama). Hope you have a great trip…it’s an astonishingly beautiful country…in all respects.

[DANICA ROBERTSON]

Safe travels!

[ANGELA COOK]

Diane, I’m interested in Puembo as a possible place to live.  How did you find the access, the walking around, the availability to arboretos and tiendas for everyday needs?  Did you take transportation anywhere, taxi? bus?  What was the temp and the weather?  Sunny?  Gracias.

[DIANE OUTERBRIDGE]

Hi Angela, been away from the computer for a while…sorry. Puembo, we strictly stayed in the Hosteria for the 2 days (totally relaxing). Puembo looks like a nice area, we pass near it and other areas that are all similar (all with small tiendas, etc.) when we are going out to Pakakuna Gardens where we’re having a home built. Most of the areas have enough tiendas to get by…maybe get almuerzo…but nothing large. Tumbaco, Cumbaya, etc sized towns have large malls with good shopping (taxi ride away). Buses are also everywhere. Weather each day is pretty much the same…check weather.com for daily reports. Bring a hat for the sun!

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