Hotel del Parque, Guayaquil – A Calm Retreat Before the Galapagos
I had wanted to visit the Galapagos for such a long time, so it was such a dream to be able to plan this trip, which you can read all about here.
Although it wouldn’t be my first time to Ecuador (we went a few years ago to Quito and Mashpi Lodge, before travelling on to Peru for Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Lima) I was so looking forward to going back, albeit for a very different experience to the Galapagos Islands off the west coast of South America, and what would be ‘Mrs’ TPT’s first real cruise, albeit with a maximum of 12 cabins and only 20 people.
Planning Our Route to the Galapagos
Why Guayaquil Was the Perfect Gateway
In order to get to the Galapagos, there are basically two airlines that fly there (Avianca and LATAM) from only two airports in Ecuador - Quito and Guayaquil. Guayaquil is a bit nearer, and actually LATAM flights from Quito go via Guayaquil too, but the deciding factor for us was (1) good connection flights with American Airlines from Miami on the outbound / good connections on the return to Colombia; and (2) the issue of the high altitude of Quito, which is a non-issue for Guayaquil at sea-level.
Read on to find out all about our stay in Guayaquil and why I chose the Hotel del Parque; an excellent choice as it turned out. I had booked two nights on the first stay, to give us a full day’s orientation before flying on to the Galapagos, and just an overnight on the return to break our journey to Cartagena, via Bogota.
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VIP Perks with The Private Traveller & Fora Travel (Virtuoso 2026)
Booking your stay with The Private Traveller through Fora Travel ensures you enjoy bespoke itineraries and enhanced perks. With access to benefits from a whole array of exclusive hotel programs, your stay becomes even more rewarding.
Perks here usually include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily buffet breakfast for up to two guests per room, served in the restaurant
Complimentary round-trip private airport transfers
50-minute massage for up to two people, once per stay
Early check-in / late check-out, subject to availability
🛎️ When booking with The Private Traveller, I’ll help you secure the best available perks for your stay — whether that’s a beautifully restored heritage room overlooking the gardens or a tranquil suite within the Parque Histórico setting.
Fast Facts for Hotel del Parque, Guayaquil
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Hotel del Parque |
| Address | Parque Histórico, Samborondón, Guayaquil, Ecuador |
| Nearest Airport | José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) – approx. 15 mins |
| Rooms & Suites | 44 rooms and suites within a restored 19th-century property |
| Dining |
Casa Julián – fine dining with coastal Ecuadorian cuisine Cafetería El Jardín - garden café |
| Wellness | Serene massage room and peaceful internal courtyards, gym |
| Setting | Located inside the Parque Histórico with gardens and wildlife |
| @hotel_del_parque | |
| Website | hoteldelparquehistorico.com |
| Visited | December 2025 |
Hotel Accommodation: Hotel del Parque
Why Hotel del Parque Was the Right Choice
The hotel seemed to be quite busy during our two stays, and the highest category I was able to secure for our bookings were the Signature King. When I was reviewing where to stay in Guayaquil, this looked like the very obvious choice - for location, standards, accommodation etc.
Room and Suite Types
Hotel del Parque offers a total of 44 rooms and suites, arranged across five distinct categories: Deluxe Double, Deluxe King, Signature King, Junior Suite, and Park Suite. The majority of the accommodation is made up of Deluxe Double and Deluxe King rooms, which retain the building’s historic character while offering comfortable, well-proportioned spaces overlooking the gardens or internal courtyards. Signature King rooms form a smaller, upgraded category, offering more generous layouts and enhanced positioning within the property. For those seeking additional space, the hotel features a limited number of Junior Suites and the most exclusive Park Suites, which provide separate living areas and tranquil views across the Parque Histórico, reinforcing the hotel’s serene, residential atmosphere.
“Tropical Oasis caught in time
Spend the night in a beautiful and carefully restored 19th century property, situated in a tropical oasis in the heart of the city. Hotel del Parque is the place where the past meets the present, nature meets comfort, and service meets passion.”
Facilities & Service at Hotel del Parque, Guayaquil
Why the Hotel More Than Made Up for the Destination
There was everything we could have needed, or wanted, at the Hotel del Parque in terms of the hotel; as I’ve mentioned a few times elsewhere I was quite disappointed with Guayaquil overall, but not the hotel.
Here’s a closer look at the hotel’s standout facilities and services, along with my personal take on each.
Our Signature King Rooms 221 and 210
Both of our rooms were on the 1st/2nd floor (I always have this issue when hotels recognise the ground floor as 1, and therefore the upper level as 2nd). Either way, there were only two levels in the hotel, and our two rooms (different stays) were at opposite corners of the upper level.
With a very late arrival for our first room (210), and so unlike me, I didn’t take any pictures in advance of us unpacking, nor did we do anything other than brush our teeth and get into bed. I had thought it was the best idea to fly on from Miami and stop overnight in Guayaquil, with hindsight despite the very comfortable flight from London with BA, a longer stop over than originally planned in Miami, did make for a long day. The London flight had been almost 10 hours, and the onward flight to Guayaquil only 4.5 hours, so with hindsight I would probably have booked an overnight in Miami. There is the (in terminal) hotel itself in MIA, but it’s not the most inspiring, hence the reason I didn’t really consider the stop.
Levels of Comfort
From our late arrival check in to our return visit , everything about this stay was super-comfortable and excellent. We had great nights’ sleep, the hotel is really quiet, despite the huge city and the closeness to the airport (zero noise). All of the staff were so helpful, and they had a WhatsApp channel for immediate messaging; service was excellent too. We were picked up at the airport exactly as planned, and all transfers were included, getting us back to the airport (twice) for perfect flight timings. Highly recommended overall, and did I say the hotel smelt amazing too!
Bathroom
Both bathrooms (or shower rooms) were really excellent. Both had only one sink (despite the vast size), a massive walk-in shower, separate WC and all beautifully tiled in marble with pristine white fittings. Walls were pale grey with accents of wood in the large vanity unit and mirror, and came complete with all toiletries (hotel branded, lemon scented), bathrobes, mineral water etc.
The first in 210 was actually larger but had no window, the second in 221 was ever so slightly smaller and had a different layout, but had shuttered windows to the side overlooking the zoo park. I couldn’t fault or prefer one over the other, both were really good and shone to perfection with cleanliness.
Breakfast:
This was served in the garden cafe, located in one of the internal courtyards on a raised (and covered) open-sided pavilion. A buffet literally took up one side of the area, with everything from hot local delicacies, breads and pastries, hot breakfast items like eggs bacon etc, whole sections of fruits, yoghurts, meats, cheeses and then to top it off a selection of fresh juices. Teas, coffees, hot chocolate etc. were served to your tables, and there was a whole selection of made-to-order hot food items too.
Overall this was excellent - good food, well presented and standards, good service and a really nice start to the day.
Restaurants & Bars at Hotel del Parque
Refined on-site dining, with excellent local options close by
I was genuinely very pleased with the food offering at Hotel del Parque, both on site and in the immediate surrounding area. Dining within the hotel was consistently strong, and it was also easy to walk out through the park to reach several very good local restaurants nearby — including Mantraa (The Magic of Indian Spices) and Andiamo Pizza at Centro Comercial Las Terrazas Samborondón, both of which made for relaxed and enjoyable evenings without needing transport.
Casa Julián
Housed in a beautifully restored standalone building closer to the water, Casa Julián is a stylish fine-dining restaurant with standout service and consistently excellent food, making it a highlight of the stay.
Caféteria El Jardín
Cafetería El Jardín serves breakfast each morning before transitioning into an all-day dining space, where we enjoyed excellent toasted sandwiches and relaxed drinks for lunch in an informal garden setting.
Fitness, Spa & Wellness
Wellness Designed for Short Stopovers
There weren’t extensive facilities here, but nor did we need or want this for what was quite a short stay, both times. There was a decent sized gym and above this, in the original clock tower, were another two levels. The first upper level was a changing area, where we could change for our massages into robes and slippers. Above again, literally the clock tower, was the massage area with two individual beds.
I won’t be doing a separate spa review for the hotel because of the limited facilities, but our treatments were excellent both times for me (who likes a deep tissue massage/deep pressure) but ‘Mrs’ TPT who usually likes a much lighter pressure, actually felt his therapist could have used more pressure.
Our package both times included a 50 minute massage each, which were easy to book in advance and it was a really nice add-on.
Design & Architecture
From Hospice to Heritage Hotel
Originally constructed between 1889 and 1892 as the Corazón de Jesús Hospice, the building was founded through the early philanthropic efforts of the Junta de Beneficencia, following donations by Don Manuel Galecio and Dr Francisco Aguirre Jado, who provided both funding and land for a hospice serving the elderly and disabled. Located at the end of what is now Julián Coronel Street—once known as the Street of Tears due to the number of civic institutions in the area—the hospice and its chapel operated continuously until 1982. At that point, plans to demolish the complex were overturned, and the Central Bank of Ecuador undertook a meticulous process of dismantling, salvaging and reconstructing the historic structures, preserving one of the country’s most important examples of religious and institutional architecture from the period.
Today, through a strategic alliance with the Oro Verde Hotel Group, the restored complex has been reimagined as Hotel del Parque, a boutique hotel that sensitively balances heritage and modern comfort. Guest accommodation is arranged across two levels surrounding two peaceful internal courtyards, while the original chapel remains preserved at the centre of the property, continuing its role as a place of worship and forming the architectural heart of the hotel. Modern systems - including climate control, acoustics and fire protection—have been seamlessly integrated, ensuring the building’s historic character endures while functioning as an elegant, contemporary retreat.
Pro Tip: Choosing Your Room
At Hotel del Parque, there’s genuinely no bad room — all categories are designed in a consistent, elegant style, with outward-facing windows arranged across two levels around the hotel’s twin courtyards. The main difference between categories comes down to space rather than layout or outlook, and the open-air corridors overlooking the courtyards enhance the calm, residential feel throughout the property.
🛎️ When booking with The Private Traveller, I’ll help match you to the ideal room for your stay — alongside VIP perks, potential upgrades, and personalised guidance from start to finish.
What about the Guayaquil Location?
Well positioned for arrivals, easy exploring, and an unexpectedly green setting
Hotel del Parque is very well positioned in the Samborondón area, close to the airport, making arrivals and departures refreshingly straightforward. While Guayaquil itself isn’t a city people tend to visit for traditional sightseeing, getting around was easy, with Uber readily available and journeys to key areas never feeling particularly long. There’s also a surprising amount within walking distance, including several good local restaurants, as well as a nearby cinema and shopping complex, which adds a layer of everyday convenience.
What truly sets the location apart, however, is the setting itself. The hotel sits within the Parque Histórico de Guayaquil, a protected heritage park that combines restored historic architecture with landscaped gardens and a dedicated wildlife zone featuring native species in naturalistic habitats. With the park unfolding around the hotel — and the wildlife area located immediately next door — the atmosphere feels calm, green and removed from the city, creating a peaceful base that works especially well before or after a Galápagos journey.
Things to Do Nearby in Guayaquil
What to See and Do in Guayaquil (and What to Know Before You Go)
These were the things that I had flagged in advance of visiting, in my itinerary:
Stroll along Malecón 2000, Guayaquil’s revitalised riverfront, home to gardens, monuments, museums and cafés overlooking the Guayas River
Explore Las Peñas, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, known for its colourful wooden houses, cobbled streets and artistic atmosphere
Climb Cerro Santa Ana for sweeping views across the city and river, particularly atmospheric at sunset
Visit Parque Seminario (Iguana Park), where resident iguanas roam freely beneath shaded trees in the city centre
Discover Ecuadorian history and architecture at Parque Histórico Guayaquil, combining restored buildings, wildlife and cultural exhibits
Take a river cruise on the Guayas, offering a relaxed perspective of the skyline and waterfront
Enjoy local coastal cuisine, including ceviche and encebollado, in traditional restaurants or modern dining spots
Use Guayaquil as a smooth gateway to the Galápagos Islands, with easy onward connections and a comfortable overnight stop before cruising
I’ll be publishing a separate Travel Diaries series on Guayaquil, but in snapshot form, the city itself was ultimately quite disappointing. That said, I didn’t regret our visit for a moment: it remains an exceptionally practical gateway to the Galápagos (one of only two connecting airports), and Hotel del Parque was a genuine highlight of the stay. On paper, places like Malecón 2000, Las Peñas, and Cerro Santa Ana all sound appealing; in reality, they failed to live up to expectations. We even returned to Las Peñas a second time, assuming our initial visit had simply been poorly timed — unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
On the positive side, Guayaquil was easy to navigate, with Uber readily available, and at no point did anywhere we visited feel unsafe. We also tried the Aerolínea cable car and visited the Mercado Artesanal de Guayaquil. While both were perfectly fine to experience once, neither felt particularly special unless you’re a committed cable-car enthusiast, and the market itself was largely made up of fairly standard tourist items — T-shirts, hats, belts, ponchos, scarves and decorative souvenirs.
Highlights of Our Stay at Hotel del Parque
There were many aspects of our stay at Hotel del Parque that stood out, but these are the key highlights that best summarise the experience and why it works so well as a Guayaquil base, particularly before or after the Galápagos.
Location - Set within the Parque Histórico de Guayaquil, the hotel offers a calm, green environment while remaining close to the airport and well connected to the rest of the city.
Rooms - Our Signature King rooms were excellent — exceptionally spacious, immaculately clean, and beautifully maintained, with standout bathrooms and attentive daily servicing.
Food & Dining- Dining was consistently strong across breakfast, lunch and dinner, with both Casa Julián and Cafetería El Jardín offering very different but equally enjoyable experiences.
Walkability - It was easy to walk through the park to nearby local restaurants, adding flexibility and variety without needing transport.
Thoughtful Inclusions - The stay was enhanced by inclusive airport transfers and complimentary massages, which added genuine value and elevated the overall experience.
Service & Communication - Direct WhatsApp communication with the hotel team made everything seamless, from requests to coordination, and reflected the high level of service throughout our stay.
Areas for improvement
While I always prefer to focus on the highlights of any stay, there are occasionally small moments that could have made the overall experience feel even smoother.
The only thing I would say, some of the surrounding area in the historic park felt like it needed a bit of a clean up, and the zoo area felt quite unloved/underinvested in areas.
While food was good, there could have been more vegetarian choices in Casa Julián.
There was still more to develop, and if they get this right, it would be good to go back in a while and see how things have developed.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t return specifically for Guayaquil, but as a stopover for the Galápagos I would recommend this hotel without hesitation. In that context, Hotel del Parque works exceptionally well.
My final thoughts on Hotel del Parque
While Guayaquil itself didn’t live up to my expectations, the hotel more than delivered. It’s extremely well positioned, calm, and beautifully executed, making it an ideal base before or after a Galápagos journey. If visiting higher-altitude destinations such as Quito isn’t an option — which we personally found far more interesting — Guayaquil becomes a very practical alternative, particularly when paired with the right hotel. The airport experience was straightforward and well connected, and while there are direct flights from Quito to Baltra with certain airlines, many LATAM services still route via Guayaquil, reinforcing the city’s role as a key gateway to the islands.
✨ Inspired to experience Hotel del Parque — or to plan a seamless pre- or post-Galápagos stay — for yourself? I’d be delighted to help. When you book with me, you’ll enjoy the best available value along with potential perks such as upgrades, daily breakfast and personalised guidance throughout, all at no extra cost. Visit theprivatetraveller.com or message me via @theprivatetraveller to start planning.
Join the Conversation
If you’ve stayed at Hotel del Parque — or are considering it as part of a Galápagos journey — I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback and experiences are always welcome, and they often help shape what I review next. You can also follow along on @theprivatetraveller for more honest hotel reviews, travel diaries and destination insights as they’re published.
A thoughtful review of Hotel del Parque in Guayaquil, a refined heritage hotel offering calm, excellent service and a welcome retreat before and after travelling to the Galapagos Islands.