Hostal Aguilera Internacional

I stayed here twice on an organized small-group birding trip. Some in our group may have preferred a more plush hotel or eco-lodge--but I adored this place. It is run by a family, whose members offer terrific service. We were warned that occasionally the hot water does not come on promptly, and that was the case for some rooms. But who cares? Traveling, in my opinion, is about being in places that are different from home, maybe even briefly inconvenient, yet nonetheless interesting. The rooms are very basic, and in mine, everything functioned, and the bed was comfortable. We had fabulous and generous breakfasts every morning, including fruit, granola, yogurt, eggs, bread, and the special dripped coffee prepared in the region and served from small glass carafes. Our one dinner there was excellent as well. The hotel does laundry for a ridiculously low cost. On top of all this, Loja is a lovely city to explore, and I wish I had had more time to do so.