Hotel del Parque
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
Santiago de Guayaquil
Ecuador, South America
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Key Highlights
- ✓Room Service:** Room service is also praised as "fantastic."
Expert Review: Hotel del Parque
Hotel del Parque: A Serene Michelin One-Key Retreat in Guayaquil's Historic Park
Hotel del Parque, nestled within the verdant expanse of Guayaquil's Parque Histórico, offers guests a luxurious and tranquil escape. Recognized with a Michelin Key One-Key, this Relais & Châteaux property consistently earns high praise for its exceptional service, unique setting, and refined ambiance, making it a highly recommended choice for discerning travelers.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Hotel del Parque is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as an "outstanding property" and a "calm retreat." It is often considered an ideal base before or after a trip to the Galapagos, offering super-comfortable stays and excellent service. While some guests have noted concerns regarding value for price, the overall sentiment is that the hotel delivers a luxurious and memorable experience.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud Hotel del Parque for several key aspects:
- Service & Hospitality: The service is "frequently praised as excellent" and "silky-smooth," with staff described as "super helpful" and attentive. The hotel also offers convenient services like airport transfers and a 24/7 concierge.
- Location & Design: The hotel's "stunning location" within the Parque Histórico Guayaquil is a major draw, providing a peaceful oasis with lush botanical gardens and wildlife, far from the city's hustle. The design is a beautiful blend of classic and modern, housed in a meticulously restored 19th-century edifice.
- Amenities: Thoughtful amenities enhance the stay, including a 24-hour lounge with complimentary coffee, juice, and freshly baked pastries, a decent-sized gym, and a unique spa located in the bell tower offering 360-degree views.
3. Room Quality
The 44 rooms and suites at Hotel del Parque are consistently described as excellent, "exceptionally spacious," "immaculately clean," and "beautifully maintained." The design features calm hues of grey and yellow, contrasting with the tropical surroundings, and are furnished with a mix of Ecuadorian antique and modern pieces. Guests appreciate the "super-comfortable" beds and the quiet atmosphere, ensuring great nights of sleep despite the city's proximity. Marble bathrooms with "imperious proportions" and large walk-in showers are also highlighted. Rooms offer premium bedding, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, minibars with some complimentary items, and twice-daily cleaning with turndown service.
4. Dining Experience
Dining at Hotel del Parque is a significant highlight, consistently receiving strong positive feedback.
- Casa Julián: This award-winning fine-dining restaurant, overlooking the Daule River, is highly regarded as one of Ecuador's best. It offers a cutting-edge menu inspired by traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, with dishes presented as "works of art." Guests can enjoy a tasting menu or à la carte options featuring fresh seafood, duck, veal, and locally sourced ingredients.
- El Jardín: Located in an internal courtyard, this open-air café serves an "excellent" buffet breakfast with a wide variety of options, including hot local delicacies, fresh juices, pastries, fruits, yogurts, and made-to-order hot dishes. In the evenings, it transforms into a romantic setting.
- La Pergola: Another dining option offers river views and tapas.
- Room Service: Room service is also praised as "fantastic."
5. Service & Staff
The staff and service at Hotel del Parque are consistently rated as excellent and a major contributing factor to positive guest experiences. Guests highlight the staff's attentiveness, helpfulness, and friendliness. Many appreciate the personalized touches, such as airport transfers and a WhatsApp channel for immediate messaging. The team is noted for its "silky-smooth service," reflecting the high standards of the Oro Verde group.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location within the Parque Histórico Guayaquil in the Samborondón neighborhood is both a strong suit and, for some, a minor drawback.
- Pros: It provides a "unique and safe location" and a "calm" environment surrounded by gardens, nature parks, and historical sites. The park itself is a 19-acre habitat with native animals, flora, and historic buildings, offering opportunities for walking tours and interaction with local vendors. It's conveniently located just 1.2 to 2 km from José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, making it ideal for pre- or post-Galapagos stays.
- Cons: Some guests find the immediate surrounding area of the historic park outside the hotel to be "bleak and rundown" or needing "a bit of a clean up." It is a 20-minute taxi ride from central Guayaquil, which can make visiting city attractions less spontaneous without transport. The hotel is behind a private gate with 24/7 security, offering a sense of safety, especially given Guayaquil's general reputation.
7. Value & Pricing
Pricing for Hotel del Parque generally starts around $254 to $400 per night, with an average weeknight price of $444 and weekend nights at $379 in recent weeks. March is typically the most expensive month, while December can be the cheapest. While some guests express concerns about the value for money, others find the rates "certainly justified" given the "sumptuous accommodations, fine dining, serene setting, and gracious hospitality." The inclusion of complimentary airport transfers and massages in some packages adds genuine value.
8. Common Complaints
While generally highly rated, some recurring issues or criticisms include:
- Value for Price: A few guests have felt that they "did not receive what they paid for," despite acknowledging the overall quality.
- Air Conditioning: There have been complaints about the air conditioning being "far too cold for comfort" in both rooms and common areas, with some guests noting it restarts after power cuts, which was seen as a "complete waste of electricity."
- Park Maintenance: While the hotel itself is pristine, some aspects of the surrounding historic park, particularly the zoo area, have been described as "unloved/underinvested" or "neglected" and in need of repair and cleaning.
- Dining Variety: A guest noted that while the food was good, there "could have been more vegetarian choices in Casa Julián."
- Noise: Occasional noise issues from doors and events have been mentioned.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While generally highly rated, some recurring issues or criticisms include:
- •Noise:** Occasional noise issues from doors and events have been mentioned.
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
