Aldea Real Eco Friendly

We loved staying here and would happily return. Our large, clean bedroom was a lovely place to unwind, and the river and mountain views were amazing. Breakfast was included, with loads of food to choose from. Staff helped arrange taxis, and town was only a five-minute ride away.

The grounds and the view from the breakfast area were stunning, like a postcard. We didn't get one of the best rooms with river and mountain views or a jacuzzi, but I’d recommend booking a river-view room if one is available. Our room was still tasteful and classy, very clean, with a luxurious bed and a powerful, super-hot shower. Breakfast was fresh, delicious, and a bit unusual. We chose Hotel Aldea Real as a treat after two weeks in lovely budget hotels, during “Ley Seca,” when alcohol was banned and there was a curfew because of the elections. Our plan had been to stay in with Netflix and wine, but we couldn't get the SmarTV working. Angel, the hotel manager, was really nice and did his best to sort out the problem. The staff gave us special customer service, and the owner clearly has an eye for style. It’s a special place.

Our balcony had a hammock and a beautiful view across the river. The hotel garden is lovely too, and worth a stroll in the afternoon. The hosts were very helpful and could point us to good places to visit around Baños. Breakfast was made to order and very good. It’s a great spot to relax and take in Ecuadorian scenery.

I found this place overrated. The room we booked was shown with the wrong photos on the booking page, and while it looked as though all the rooms had breathtaking views, that wasn't actually true. The property itself was okay, clean, nicely located, with friendly staff and a very beautiful garden. For $60 a night, I expected more from the toiletries: there were only a couple of small soap bars and shampoo, with no conditioner. The bathroom drain also needs fixing. Showering in standing water didn't feel hygienic. Breakfast was average. The fruit was tasty, but the plantain patties were cold, and I expected more variety and better attention to food quality for that price.