Illinizas Lodge

We felt very welcome here, it was more like being in someone's home than a hotel. Luis (the owner) is incredibly amiable, as well as being a very good cook. The building and scenery are impressive with great views of Cotopaxi, the Ilinizas and the other surrounding mountains. Inside the rooms are large with big windows and it is decorated like someone's well maintained home. The fire in the large sitting room, which has three larges sofas and some armchairs is very welcome as it does get cold at this altitude. The bedrooms are chilly, but we hardly spent any time there (apart from sleeping) as this really is a place where you feel welcome in the sitting room. We chose this place to help us acclimatise for trips to climb the mountains, it did that, but I'm only writing this review because this is a wonderful place with a great host and I hope many people come here to experience and enjoy it. (It is also relatively cheap as the price includes dinner). For local walks the owners have created a well signposted trail to a local waterfall, (allow 1 hour) or there is a longer local walk up the hill behind. Paying by cash was easier than paying electronically, there were no unexpected extras on the bill.