Where to stay in Cuenca Ecuador

Best Hotels in Cuenca Ecuador

The following are some of the best Cuenca hotels with top ratings, located in the town center. After this, we’ll cover Cuenca vacation rentals and apartments.

Boutique Hotel Santa Lucia

A boutique hotel set in a historic building in central Cuenca, Hotel Santa Lucia offers luxurious accommodations and palace atmosphere. It’s truly stunning! Guests can enjoy the onsite restaurant and one of the best locations in the charming Old Town district of Cuenca.

Location: 0.2 km from Abdon Calderón Park, 2.2 km from airport

Cost:  $$$/$$$$

Lodging style: Boutique hotel

Amenities/highlights:  

• Beautiful historic building
• Free WiFi
• Airport shuttle
• Free parking
• Onsite restaurants and bar
• Facilities for disabled guests

Guests Say:  

“Location was in heart of historical Cuenca and easy access to sites and restaurants. The hotel and room was very clean. Staff was very friendly and professional.”

“Beautiful and spacious rooms and the breakfast was very good.”

“The staff that are exceptional and made everything gorgeous.”

Check rates and availability for Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia >

Hotel Carvallo, Cuenca

A splendid 4-star hotel set in a renovated 19th century house offering guests charming rooms, on site family style restaurant, and impeccable service. Highly rated for its convenient location, Hotel Carvallo is a few blocks from the city’s top attractions.

Location: Right in Cuenca’s historical district, 2.4 km from airport, a few blocks from Abdon Calderón Park

Cost:  $$/$$$

Lodging style: Luxury hotel

Amenities/highlights:  

• Free WiFi
• Airport shuttle
• On site restaurant, cafe/bar
• Continental, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, and American options for breakfast
• Some rooms offer separate living rooms and fireplaces
• Facilities for disabled guests

Guests Say:  

“Beautiful hotel in a great location. Very easy to walk around from that location.”

“The staff was so friendly and helpful, it made our trip.”

“Breakfast exceptional with lots of choices.”

Downsides:  

• No AC in some rooms
• Public parking at a nearby location with fee and needs reservation

Check rates and availability for Hotel Carvallo >

Selina Cuenca, Digital Nomad Hostel

In the former Hotel Crespo is the newly renovated Selina Cuenca. Selina is a hip brand of hostels and coworking hubs that serve digital nomads and travelers throughout South America.

Situated among the trendy restaurants of Calle Larga and overlooking the river, this is definitely an ideal location and a great place to meet fellow travelers.

Selina offers a range of accommodation options for various budgets. From cheap dorm beds for young solo travelers to private rooms with shared bathrooms as well as well-furnished suites. Guests can use the shared kitchen, movie room, on-site bar/restaurant, coworking space, and participate in social events.

Location: 4 blocks from Abdon Calderón Park, steps from Rio Tomebamba

Cost:  $-$$$

Lodging style: Private rooms and dormitories

Amenities/highlights:  

• Colorful, well-decorated space
• Free WiFi and coworking area
• Airport shuttle
• Onsite restaurants and bar
• Breakfast included

Guests Say:  

“Absolutely beautiful room, great hotel and staff!!”

“Amazing terrace, kitchen, lounge, library, yoga room and more. The dorms are beautiful and clean, the beds each have sockets to charge your phone nearby and curtains for privacy, the breakfast was fantastic and the staff is super helpful. This is truly great value!

Check rates and availability for Selina Cuenca Hostel >

Pepe’s House Cuenca Boutique Hotel B&B

Conveniently located in Cuenca’s historic center, Pepe’s House is great for budget travelers looking for comfort and value. It’s steps from shops, restaurants and bars. Guests can enjoy an onsite garden, communal living room, and the exceptional assistance of multilingual staff. 

Location: 2.8 km from airport, 0.4 km from Abdon Calderón Park

Cost: $/$$

Lodging style:  Bed & Breakfast, private rooms and dormitory

Amenities/highlights:  

• Continental breakfast included
• Free WiFi
• Free private parking
• Fantastic staff

Guests Say:  

“Pepe’s House was amazing. Great location, comfortable and clean rooms, and awesome staff.”

“Excellent location center of city, but still quiet at night (rooms face inside), comfortable bed, modern bathroom, tasty breakfast, and very friendly hosts with good recommendations.”

“Very friendly and helpful staff. Breakfast was very good. Great location in the historic center of Cuenca. I would definitely stay there again.”

Check rates and availability at Pepe’s House >

Hotel Victoria, Cuenca

A charming hotel set in a lovely mansion overlooking the river. A garden and nicely decorated rooms providing a delightful environment for guests. This property is conveniently located near restaurants (kitty-corner from the popular Goza Cafe), museums, and a riverside walking path in Cuenca.

Location: 0.5 km from Abdon Calderón Park, 2.5 km from airport

Cost:  $$

Lodging style:  Hotel rooms

Amenities/highlights:  

• Free WiFi 
• Airport shuttle
• Free parking
• Onsite Restaurant
• Private balconies

Guests Say:  

“Location was very central but also at one of the most safe and beautiful part of the old town, right by the river and fancy restaurants. “

“The staff was very friendly and helpful all the time, making us feel like at home and always inviting us to come again.”

“Nice facilities, great breakfast, excellent friendly helpful service.”

Check rates and availability for Hotel Victoria >  

Casa Montalvo Bed & Breakfast

Also located in the top-rated area in Cuenca, Casa Montalvo Bed & Breakfast is close to popular attractions by foot while slightly removed from the hustle and bustle. This property is highly rated for its comfy beds and excellent service by the owner.

Location: 5-minute walk from Tomebamba River, 0.6 km from Abdon Calderón Park, 2.7 km from airport

Cost:  $$/$$$

Lodging style: Bed & Breakfast

Amenities/highlights:  

• Breakfast available
• Free WiFi
• Shared kitchen
• Free airport shuttle service

Guests Say:  

“This place was incredibly charming and close to everything. Sonia, the owner, went out of her way to make us feel at home.”

“Our room was very comfortable and spacious.”

“Location couldn’t be better. Quiet street in downtown Cuenca. I fully recommend Casa Montalvo.”

Check rates and availability for Casa Montalvo Bed & Breakfast >  

Hotel Cruz del Vado

A beautiful, 5-star boutique hotel within walking distance to popular historic places in Cuenca. It sits at the edge of the centro with nearly unobstructed views to the south. Hotel Cruz del Vado features an onsite bar and restaurant and offers first class service.

Location: 0.5 km from Abdon Calderón Park, 2.9 km from airport

Cost: $$$$

Lodging style: Hotel 

Amenities/highlights:  

• Private parking
• Free WiFi 
• Airport shuttle
• Onsite restaurant and bar
• Facilities for disabled guests

Guests Say:  

“The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly; the hotel has been impeccably designed and decorated…”

“First class all the way! Very clean, very beautiful! The restaurant is conveniently located on the rooftop, amazing views! Will definitely be coming back!”

“Luxury property in beautifully restored mansion within easy walking distance to most areas of the historic part of the city.”

Downsides:  

• No A/C

Check rates and availability for Hotel Cruz del Vado >

Best Vacation Rentals in Cuenca Ecuador

If you prefer to make your own meals in a furnished rental, long term apartment rentals and vacation homes can be found on Airbnb, Booking.com, or even in Facebook groups (search for “Cuenca Rentals”).

Here are a few more top-rated, centrally located lodging options. 

El Centro Duplex Apartment Rental Cuenca

4 guests · apartment · 2 beds · 2 bath

This is the place we stayed for two months in Cuenca in 2021 (and again 2022). We absolutely loved it.

Our 2016 apartment (pictured above) was no longer available, so we were happy to find another spot with strong wifi for our work, owned by a local Ecuadorian family.

This two-level Cuenca apartment is newly remodeled, just one block away from the main plaza, and has spectacular views of the iconic cathedral as well as Mirador Turi to the south. The building has some quirks, but it’s very secure and our host was always responsive if we needed anything. 

Location: 1 block from Parque Abdon Calderon

Cost: $$

Lodging style: Private apartment

Amenities/highlights:  

• Fast WiFi
• Kitchen
• Washing machine
• Spectacular views
• Balcony

Downsides:  

• Tiny elevator only unavailable during business hours, apartment is located on the 5th floor of building
• Layout may not be safe for young children or those with mobility challenges

Loto Apartment in Cuenca

4 guests · apartment · 2 beds · 1 bath

Loto Apartment features beautiful city and mountain views and is conveniently located in Cuenca Historic Center close to popular interesting places. This property is equipped with kitchen, fridge, and washing machine.

Location: 0.2 km from Tomebamba River, 2.4 km from airport

Cost:  $$ 

Lodging style:  Semi-detached private apartment in building

Amenities/highlights:  

• Free WiFi
• Kitchen
• Washing machine
• Nice views

Guests Say:  

“I liked everything from this place. It is located in the center of the city, which it makes easy to walk to all the amazing places you want to see.”

“Recommended for a quiet and comfortable stay in a home-like environment.”

“The host Edisson is very friendly and attentive with everything, without a doubt one of the best places to stay in Cuenca, obviously a place to return.”

Downsides:  

• Elevator is unavailable, apartment is located on the 4th floor of building

Check rates and availability for Loto Apartment >  

Floré Apartment

6 guests · apartment · 2 bed · 1 bath

Floré Apartment is a 2 bedroom accommodation with living room, kitchen, and views of mountains and Cuenca’s landmarks. This apartment rental, inside the Floré Hotel, is close to attractions in Cuenca such as the Cathedral, Abdon Calderón Park, and Hat Museum.

Location: 2-minute walk from Abdon Calderón Park, 6-minute walk from Tomebamba River, 2.6 km from airport 

Cost:  $$/$$$

Lodging style: Whole apartment with 2 bedrooms, living room, and kitchen

Amenities/highlights:  

• Kitchen
• Breakfast included
• Nice views
• Free WiFi
• Private parking
• Airport shuttle available

Guests Say:  

“Excellent facilities, super friendly staff and its location is very good. I would definitely stay again.”

“The breakfast was delicious. The room was bigger than we expected.”

Check rates and availability for Floré Hotel & Apartment >  

Anicha Hostel, Cuenca

Situated in Cuenca’s historic center, Anicha Backpacker Hostel is highly rated by guests for its proximity to top attractions and restaurants. This property offers rooms with balconies, dining area, private bathroom, shared kitchen and organized tours for guests.

Location: 0.5 km from Abdon Calderón Park, 2.7 km from airport

Cost:  $/$$

Lodging style: Mixed dorm and private rooms (with private or shared bath)

Amenities/highlights:  

• Breakfast included
• Free WiFi
• Pet friendly
• Facilities for disabled guests

Guests Say:  

“It’s in the center of the town with every shops and activities accessible by foot.”

“The hotel is beautifully decorated with huge wall arts, gorgeous plants everywhere and antique tiles… It’s worth a visit just for its style and character.”

“Excellent location, great value for money, good breakfast, exceptional decoration, big rooms, friendly staff.”

Check rates and availability for Anicha Hostel >  

We hope our advice on where to stay in Cuenca and review of the best Cuenca hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels have been helpful to you. May you enjoy Cuenca, Ecuador as much as we do!