Secret Garden - Hostel

I was disappointed with how the hot water problem was handled. We reported that the shower had no hot water, and staff kept saying it would be fixed, but nothing changed. Eventually they told us to use the showers in their other building, which was extremely inconvenient. There was no real solution or reasonable alternative, and we were left to manage it ourselves. Secret Garden Quito is small and, in my opinion, overpriced. The tours and activities they sell cost significantly more than booking independently, so I wouldn’t recommend booking through them. The restaurant discount was the only real positive: the food was okayish and a good price. For a highly rated hostel, this was far below the standard I expect. I wouldn’t stay again. For me it was definitely a less-than-one-star experience, and I genuinely don’t understand the hype.

We spent five nights here, split between the start and end of our Ecuador trip, and had no complaints. It’s a big hostel, but there were enough staff to look after everyone. The daily free tours are a great bonus and a must-do. Thanks to all the bartenders, travel advisors, cleaning staff, and servers for making the stay special. Fernando gave us a great tour, and Mabe upstairs greeted me like a mother whenever we came up for food or a drink. 10/10, I’d stay again without question!

The staff at Secret Garden organized our Cotopaxi summit climb, acclimatization hikes, and side trips, and we were never disappointed. We spent 3 nights in Quito and 5 at their place near Cotopaxi National Park. The service in Quito was top notch. The hostel’s in the central historic district, surrounded by Andalusian buildings, impressive churches, and charming cobblestone streets. I’d join the free guided walking tour on your first day to get to know the area. Guests are encouraged to tip the guide, and our group of 4 left $20. Other places to see include the TeleferiQo and foundacion iglesia de la compania, a 4-century-old church with an exquisite gold-plated interior. I’ve travelled extensively and stayed in countless hostels, and I’d put Secret Garden Quito among the world’s top backpacker and adventure hostels. I’m not surprised it was voted best hostel in Ecuador for 2025. The dorms are simple and clean, seem to be serviced more than once a day, and are sure to give you a good night’s rest. The beds are exceptionally comfortable, far above the usual $8-10 a night hostel setup. The atmosphere is uniquely pleasant and charming, with a lively social scene. Though I’ve already seen the best of Quito, I’d consider coming back just for the hostel. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It’s superb in every regard.

I’ve used the Secret Garden as my base in Ecuador and have returned 3 times. It’s well organized and has all the conveniences you need. A big thank you to the laundry team. I came back from Mindo with my trainers completely soaked, and they’re my main footwear while travelling. They agreed to dry them and, I’m not sure I should say this, didn’t charge me. They saved the day since I’m flying elsewhere early tomorrow and really needed them. Muchos gracias 😘