Ask the Concierge – Swissôtel in Quito, Ecuador

Tips from concierge Nelson Cárdenas at the Swissôtel in Quito, Ecuador 

What restaurant would you recommend for a business lunch or dinner outside your hotel? 

Try La Belle Époque, the restaurant in the hotel Plaza Grande, located in the city’s historic downtown area known as the Centro Histórico.

I have only 24 hours to spend in Quito. What itinerary would you suggest I take in order to impress a client?

Take a city tour that includes all the museums in the Centro Histórico and Panecillo hill, located on the south side of the historic center. The Virgen del Panecillo statue stands at the peak of this hill overlooking the city. The nearby Teleférico (cable car) takes you to the top of the Pichincha volcano and offers spectacular views of the city. Make sure to eat lunch in the Centro Histórico. Allow six hours.

Visit the Mitad del Mundo or “the middle of the world” monument, located about 20 miles from Quito. The monument, which also houses a wonderful ethnographic museum, marks the 00’0” latitude – the spot where the equator divides the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Time: approximately four hours.

Have dinner at one of the many restaurants at the Itchimbia Cultural Center, which is located on a hillside that overlooks the Centro Histórico. The area offers magnificent 360-degree views of the city and is a must. Time: three hours.

Take a nighttime tour of the city. In addition to driving through the Centro Histórico, where you can appreciate its beautifully illuminated streets, churches and buildings, the tour also takes you to other interesting parts of the city such as the barrio Mariscal in the Zona Rosa. Time: approximately four hours.

Can you recommend a shopping district or two?

Try the Quicentro and Mall El Jardín shopping centers, both of which are located in the newer, more modern districts of the city. 

What are must-buy items for me to take home?

You must visit an indigenous market to buy typical handicrafts such as alpaca sweaters, toquilla straw hats (more commonly known as Panama hats), and handicrafts made from tagua nuts, which resemble elephant ivory. There are many of these markets throughout the city. However, the most famous is located in the city of Otavalo, a two-hour drive from Quito.

What safety precautions do you suggest I take during my stay in Quito?

After 6 p.m., definitely take a taxi. For walks and visits by foot, I recommend you leave your camera and jewelry as well as handbags or backpacks at the hotel. Just take some money and a photocopy of your passport with you.

I have several meetings around town. What’s the best way for me to get around?

The best way to get around is with a recommended taxi driver. 

What’s the most unusual request from a hotel guest?

A guest asked for a chartered helicopter in order to fly over the Tungurahua volcano.