Hotel Emperador

The breakfast was healthy, with lots of fresh pastries and local fruit to choose from. The lunch lounge on the 6th floor had a beautiful view of Ambato. I enjoyed my stay: the rooms were clean and cozy, and the bathroom had great toiletries and amenities.

It doesn't look like much from outside, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. It's an old hotel that's been well maintained.

The room was dirty and smelled of musty old dust. The sheets were stained, and the bathroom filthy. In room 509, the window wouldn't close properly, so street noise came straight in. The AC barely worked, and the water pressure was weak. The water sometimes turned either super cold or boiling hot. Dusty plastic flowers in every corner added even more dust. At breakfast, the buffet dishes were empty until I asked for them to be refilled, and the waiters were as slow as they could be. Lunch at the restaurant gave me stomach problems, so I guess hygiene isn't great either. Maybe it was nice 20 years ago, but now it's shabby, two stars at best. You get the drill, avoid this place.

The food was a bright spot, whether ordered from the menu or served at breakfast, and the Wi-Fi worked well. The rooms are worn but still acceptable; the TV is tiny and has no internet. We were charged the triple-room rate for a double. On Saturday night, reception said the hotel was full and put us in a room overlooking noisy machinery and generators, though occupancy was actually under 50%. Staff were brisk, with only surface-level friendliness. The wet areas require caps and sandals, which the hotel sells at a high price. I don't think a luxury hotel should make a cap compulsory. It wasn't the worst choice, but I expect I can find better next time.