ecuador

Both expensive and interesting We saw it on Giles Coren's interesting hotels series

Mashpi Lodge is a nature lover’s delight. Set amid the 3,200-acre Mashpi Reserve, the property is surrounded by the Ecuadorian Choco rainforest. Hiking trails lead guests past gushing waterfalls, lush greenery and wild inhabitants, including hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, jungle frogs and even pumas.

It's all about the location at Mashpi Lodge. There’s nothing in the vicinity except Ecuador's amazing Chocó-Andean Cloud Forest, and the wildlife that calls it home. Though less than 70 miles from Quito, it takes about three hours to make the bumpy drive on curvy and sometimes unpaved roads. Mashpi Lodge organises transfers from Quito hotels.

Contemporary and modern, the term 'lodge' doesn’t do Mashpi justice. It’s a boutique hotel dropped in the middle of the jungle. Steel beams connected using walls of glass ensure the rainforest is always within view, and create interiors spaces that are bright and inviting. Built on the only flat area in the reserve, not a single tree was removed during construction.

Staff are friendly; naturalists are well informed and it’s obvious that they love their jobs. Along with a panoramic terrace ideal for birdwatching, there is a spa and hot tub. There’s no pool, but after spending your days swimming in waterfalls, you won’t miss it. Amenities at Mashpi Lodge focus on being out and about in the cloud forest. The Life Centre is home to a garden breeding area for a dozen species of butterflies. There are more than two-dozen hiking trails, an eight-storey observation tower, and a hummingbird garden where 19 colourful species zip around, oblivious to onlookers. Adventure seekers can pedal through the clouds, and across a gorge on a Sky Bike built for two. The Dragonfly is a mile-plus-long cable car ride that provides bird’s-eye viewing opportunities of the rainforest, and shortens some of the popular hikes.

Mashpi has 24 rooms, spread out over three floors. All rooms, regardless of category, feature a floor-to-ceiling wall (or two) of glass windows, giving guests an up-close rainforest view day and night. It’s particularly entertaining to open the window and listen when wildlife like birds and frogs are feeling chatty, which, for the most part, is always. There are three Yaku Suites, one Wawa Room for single travellers, and 20 Wayra Rooms, the Lodge’s standard room equivalent, with either two full-sized beds or one king bed. Wayra rooms also have a spacious desk and sitting corner with a comfy chair. Bathrooms have only one sink, but the vanity is large enough for two. Showers boast rainfall-style shower heads. There are no bathtubs. All rooms feature filtered water and reusable water bottles.

All meals are included and served, buffet style, in the dining room. Breakfast and lunch offer a multitude of both hot and cold selections ranging from breads, cheese, and eggs any style, to soups, sandwiches and fruit juices. Even picky eaters should find options here; fresh fruit, vegetables and salad options are particularly plentiful considering Mashpi’s remote location. At dinner, there is table service and guests select from a diverse menu of Ecuadorian cuisine that changes nightly. Main dishes range from the likes of Ecuadorian goat stew and smoked butternut and courgette risotto, to sirloin steak in black beer sauce. Sweets are plentiful at every meal. The well-stocked Explorers’ Bar offers more than a dozen signature cocktails in addition to beer and wine.

Double rooms from US $1,340 (£1031) based on two people sharing, including activities, meals, guiding and return shared transfers from main Quito hotels. The Dragonfly cable ride is an additional $40 (£28) for adults; $20 (£14) for children (one child rides free per paying adult).

he transportation only picks up at select hotels, including Swissotel, JW Marriott, Hilton Colon, and Casa Gangotena. So if you’re staying somewhere else or are coming from the airport, you’ll have to make your own transportation to one of the pick-up points.While the drive is advertised as being 3-4 hours, in reality the whole thing takes five hours, between the pick-ups and also the stops it makes. The bus stops at what’s supposedly the equator line, etc. Personally I wish they’d just hurry up and get there as quickly as possible, but I guess this is quite intentional, because they don’t want people arriving too early, so they can turn around rooms.

One of Ecuador’s most coveted Amazon lodges, hands down, is the Napo Wildlife Center. You will find the Napo Wildlife Center in the astounding Yasuní National Park, covering almost 2.5 million acres of the Amazon Rainforest. The eco-lodge itself borders a jungle lake teeming with life and was built using entirely environmentally friendly infrastructure. And with a 40-person capacity, they are conscientious not to stress the local ecosystem in any way. The Napo Wildlife Center also upholds a 100% sustainable and community-based business model, collaborating directly with the local Kichwa Añangu community. All of their proceeds are channeled back into local, sustainable projects highlighting renewable energy, health care, and education. And the best part? You can get there on a quick 25-minute flight from Quito.

La Selva Amazon Ecolodge & Spa is a luxurious, secluded lodge located on the border of Yasuni National Park in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. It features free transportation from Coca, plus all-inclusive meal plans. Each room here features bright, modern décor and boasts a private balcony overlooking the lush jungle. They come with a seating area, a fan and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. A variety of dishes are available at the on-site restaurant, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the room rate. There is also an on-site bar. Guests can relax at the on-site spa or try a guided hike or boat ride through the jungle. The property also offers activities like yoga and kayaking. This property is located about 80 km from the town of Coca, which receives flights from Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Transportation is included from Coca to the property.

If you love butterflies, this is the eco-lodge for you! Sacha Lodge, another eco-lodge destination, is home to one of the largest butterfly farms in Ecuador. A quick boat ride up the Napo River, and you will arrive at the 5,000-acre Sacha Lodge bio reserve. The lodge’s Swiss founder was captivated with the Napo River in all its glory in the 1970s and has been a pioneer in conserving this corner of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The minimalist room design ultimately aims to blend in with the lodge’s natural surroundings without sacrificing comfort in any way. And the lounge area is a covered stationary raft right on the Pilchicocha Lake, home to caiman, giant river otters, hundreds of birds. Even when you are not on their fascinating excursions into the forest, you can’t help but feel you are part of the forest.

Sacha Lodge is an easily accesible 5000-acre private ecological reserve. The astounding biodiversity of its pristine rainforest provides the opportunity to encounter incredible wildlife including 600 species of birds. This Sanctuary is the perfect destination for those people who wish to experience and view the wildlife in its natural habitat and learn about the Neotropics ecosystems from our naturalist and native Quechua guides. Attractions: *One of only a few rigid, self-standing, suspension canopy walkways in the world 275 meters (900 feet) long, at 36 meters (120 feet) above the forest floor Two or three towers have observation decks every 12 meter (40 feet) View upwards of 100 different species of birds in a single visit * Kapok tower: built around an enormous Kapok tree 42 mts high * Butterfly farm: one of the largest such farms in Ecuador. *Small groups *Expert native and bilingual guides * Canoe excursions: through flooded forest ecosystems.

award-winning eco-lodge in the Peruvian Amazon is another example of a tourist enterprise that is entirely run and owned by an indigenous community, the Kichwa. The Sani Isla, also within the Yasuní National Bioreserve, is featured on the Green Destination Committee’s 100 Best Sustainable Destinations from 2019; and the primary rainforest here is incredibly protected with low-impact trails. The Sani Lodge is also involved in supporting local education, healthcare, and cultural projects. A prime example of this social involvement is their partnership with the Sani Warmi program. Sani Warmi specifically empowers local women, providing equal access to economic freedom and jobs. Suppose you are already thinking of visiting Ecuador to experience and explore the Galapagos Islands, the world’s most biodiverse archipelago.

Sani Lodge is the only jungle lodge in Ecuador that is 100% owned and operated by the indigenous Kichwa community of Sani Isla. On the banks of a stunning lagoon, and surrounded by pristine rainforest, packed with monkeys, manatees, sloths, manatees and over 550 types of birds, this superb jungle lodge is a perfect base to explore the Amazon jungle by day and enjoy some real comfort by night. Camping option available.

	3 night stay
Mashpi Lodge	$3975 + 10% service
Napo Wildlife Center	$3300	Air fare circa $500 for two
La Selva Lodge	$2840	Air fare circa $500 for two
Sacha Lodge	$2250	Air fare circa $500 for two
Sani Lodge	$2840	Air fare circa $500 for two

SS Anakonda	$5300	Air fare circa $500 for two