lbt

Has anyone ever stayed at the Grand Hotel Guayaquil? It's located conveniently in the downtown area but I can't find any reviews regarding services and friendliness of staff. Thanks!

lindapinda

Haven't stayed there but I have a reservation there in March so I hope it's okay! I picked it because the pool is supposed to be cool (it has a waterfall) and it's across from the park with the iguanas and I'm traveling with my two kids ( boys 11 and 14) so these things are important. A couple of guide books - can't remember which- said it was a good value although a guy on another site said the walls were thin and it wasn't worth the money. So hard to know. I'd love to hear from anyone who's stayed there too.

lbt

Lindapinda:

Hope you have a great time in Ecuador. Please let me know how your stay at the Grand Hotel turned out. Thanks,

LBT

lindapinda

We leave the 27th. Four days or so in Guayaquil (my husband was with the Peace Corps there 30 some years ago - we're going there so he can reconnect with old friends and the city which he loved as a young man), then we go to Cuenca for the weekend, then it's off to the Galapagos. A few days chillin' in Puerto Ayora and then a week on the Archipel. I've been in e-mail contact with the reservations manager at the Grand Hotel and so far he's been very gracious and helpful. They'll send a shuttle to the airport to pick us up when we get there.I'll be sure to post a report when I get back!

lbt

Sounds like a great trip! Have fun! I'll look for your post after your return.

lbt

lindapinda

So lbt, we are just back from our 3 weeks in Ecuador. I would give the Grand Hotel mixed reviews. Staff was fine - not overly warm or anything but adequate. We stayed there three different times and it started feeling like home by the third time. There was no problem storing our luggage there between visits, airport pick-ups were good, the cafe Pepa D'Oro was very comfortable and had good food, my 11 year old liked the pool and the location is great. Our rooms were a little tired feeling - first one had terrible lighting - and all were on the first floor (which is actually second floor) and along the front of the building so the street noise was pretty intense during the day but it quieted down at night. I kind of liked the hustle and craziness of the streets of Guayaquil but others may not. Also, the hotel has the tiniest elevators I've ever seen so I was glad we could just walk up to our floor and pool access was pretty easy for us from where we were. I'd say definitely ask for a room facing the cathedral or inner courtyard area if you want it quiet. We met a woman with her own small tour company mostly for Europeans and she said she booked all her clients at the Grand - she liked the location and the squash courts on the top floor and said it was not much different in quality from the Continental and the Oro Verde which are nearby. Parque Bolivar (the "Iguana Park" one block away) is a must see.
Hope this helps! Be glad to answer any more questions - I'm still reeling from the trip!

lbt

Linda, thank you for your recommendations on staying at the Grand Hotel. After reading it, I think my husband and I will definitely stay there but ask for a courtyard view room. The hotel has a great location and that’s very important. We’ll only be there for 4 days visiting family we haven’t seen in a very long time, and then continue on to Peru, to Machu Pichu. It’s funny that you mention that your husband was stationed in Guayaquil through the Peace Corps 30+ years ago. My cousin married a Peace Corp volunteer in Guayaquil 30+ years ago. It’s a small world!….. But thanks again for your honest review of the Grand Hotel.

lindapinda

okay lbt, now I have to ask what the name of the person your cousin married is. My husband was in Guayaquil 33 years ago and stayed for two years - maybe they know each other?

lbt

Linda: Could be..... Please e-mail me at: [email protected]
Thanks!

janieanderson

My sister and I are going to Ecuador in 2 weeks and are looking into options for the Rain Forest. Is it better to go to Banos and book a short tour from there? SHould we expect to see many mammals? We're also planning to go to Mindo and might stay at El Monte. Any ideas? Thanks