Haciendas, manor homes for feudal landowners dating from as early as the late 1500s, dot the mountain highlands of Ecuador. Many of these elegant residences have been restored and converted into accommodations more aptly described as retreats than hotels.
Hosteria Hacienda Pinsaquí, located 90 minutes from the capital of Quito, in the Imbabura province — with its lakes and artisans — makes a handsome headquarters for exploring the region.
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| A fountain sparkles outside Pinsaquí’s main building, a whitewashed structure built in 1790. |
As you turn off of the Pan-American Highway between Otavalo and Ibarra, imposing gates open onto trim lawns and towering palm trees in this colonial hideaway. A door man with a brightly woven vest materializes at the steps leading from the gravel drive to the main building to greet you.
The whitewashed structure, built in 1790, is cheerily trimmed with blue, and a fountain sparkles at the entrance. Guests are guided through chandelier-adorned halls hung with photos of horses (the hacienda has been owned for generations by equestrians and has its own stables) and illustrious guests.
Each large, airy suite is outfitted with French and Spanish antiques, sheepskin rugs and fireplaces or wood stoves. Floral canopies arch between the four posters of many beds; claw-foot tubs in the bathrooms invite travelers to a respite.
During the day adventurers can hike, horseback ride and mountain bike. Those in quest of quieter pursuits can explore the grounds (which include a historic chapel), or sway in the breeze in a hammock while leafing through a book borrowed from the hacienda’s library.
Continued: Andean Retreat: Hosteria Hacienda Pinsaquí
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