Hacienda Zuleta
Exceptional rural retreat, with charming and very comfortable guestrooms housed in a 17th century hacienda on a working farm in Ecuador's Andes.
This beautiful 17th-century hacienda sits at 2,870m amid the rolling pastures and forested hills of Ecuador’s northern Andes. Once home to former Ecuadorian president Galo Plaza Lasso, it has remained in the same family for more than a century and continues to offer an experience that feels closer to staying in a private home than a traditional hotel. Guests are welcomed into a living family residence, filled with antique furniture, historic photographs and personal touches that reflect generations of history. The hacienda’s 21 individually designed rooms combine period character with modern comforts, while cosy lounges and open fireplaces create an inviting atmosphere after a day exploring the surrounding countryside.
The historic residence forms the heart of a working farm that remains central to life at Zuleta today. The estate is known for its dairy production, home-grown ingredients and deep connection to the surrounding landscape. Generations of careful stewardship have helped preserve both the character of the property and the traditions that define life here, creating a warm and authentic atmosphere that sets Hacienda Zuleta apart from more conventional country hotels.
Dining is a particular highlight, with authentic Ecuadorian cuisine prepared using ingredients produced on the estate and recipes passed down through the Plaza family. Meals are served in an informal and welcoming setting that reinforces the feeling of staying in a family home, where hospitality and personal service remain at the heart of the experience.
The estate’s connection to the local community remains central to its identity. Through the non-profit Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation, established in 1995, Hacienda Zuleta supports education, conservation, local infrastructure and traditional embroidery projects in the surrounding area. The foundation’s work has helped preserve local traditions while supporting future generations, reflecting the family’s longstanding commitment to the community that surrounds the estate.
Many members of staff come from the local community, reinforcing the close relationship between the hacienda and the village of Zuleta. This enduring partnership helps preserve the area’s cultural heritage while ensuring that guests gain a genuine sense of place and connection to this corner of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Despite its peaceful rural setting, Hacienda Zuleta is easily accessible from both Quito and Otavalo. Combining genuine heritage, exceptional hospitality and a longstanding commitment to conservation and community development, it remains one of Ecuador’s most distinctive and characterful countryside retreats.
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Lina Fuller - Travel Expert
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
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