4 Best Hotels in Baños, The Central Highlands

This quartet of three-room bungalows is nestled on a lush hillside at the edge of town. Each room has several beds and a small bath. Many have views of the town. At the foot of the hill are a swimming pool, a sauna, and a lovely little restaurant.

After establishing a reputation as one of this town's best restaurants, this place expanded to include inexpensive rooms. All have hardwood floors, white stucco walls, and balconies. Many are warmed by wood-burning fireplaces. The restaurant serves French cuisine, with a menu that includes crepes, ratatouille, and delicious fondues.

Perched high over Baños on the slopes of Volcán Tungurahua, Swiss-run Luna Runtún combines colonial-style architecture with the attention to detail you would expect from a European resort. On your pillow will be fresh flowers carefully selected from the gardens outside. Hike along a route used by rum smugglers in the 1920s, ride horses through the nearby countryside, or join a trip to the hot springs.

This family-oriented hotel across the street from the municipal baths has large cabañas behind the pool and spacious rooms with balconies overlooking the nearby Waterfall of the Virgin. From the second-floor restaurant you'll also get nice views.