Cuenca & the Southern Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 228

small pool for children, and adults can use the weight room, sauna,
bar, and the nice restaurant. The helpful staff can arrange guide ser-
vices into Cajas and other surrounding areas. This is an extremely
professional and high-quality establishment and, accordingly, the
highest priced. $$$$

Just outside Cuenca, serving the hot springs at Baños, is the
Hostería Durán , at Km 8 Vía Baños from Cuenca, 7-892-485. It

offers higher quality accommodations and access to the hot springs
and steam baths. The general public may also use the springs for a
nominal fee. $$

Loja
Loja's hotels seem to be a step up in quality for what you pay, com-
pared to many other places in Ecuador. At the bottom end, the Hotel
Acapulco , at Sucre 07-49, 7-570-651, is simple and basic, yet com-

fortable for the budget traveler. Rooms include TVs and private baths
with hot water. There's also a small restaurant on the premises,
breakfast included. $

The Hostal La Riviera , situated at Universitaria and 10 de Agosto,

7-572-863, has the best rooms among the low-end choices. Clean
and comfortable accommodations include TVs and phones.

Just south of town in a quieter neighborhood is the Hostal Aguilera
International , at Sucre and Emiliano Ortega, 7-563-189 or 7-572-

461, /fax [phone]. While smaller andmore tranquil than the other

hotels in the area, it also offers more of themid-range amenities, such
as color TV, gym and sauna. Admittedly, though, it is a bit character-
less. $

The most modern establishment in the area is the Grand Hotel
Loja , on the corner of Av. Iberoamerica and Rocafuerte,

7-575-200

or 7-575-201, /fax [phone]. It is relatively new and popular with

businesspeople, with nice rooms and a good restaurant. It also has
spa services, including sauna, Jacuzzi and Turkish baths. Overall,
this is good value. $-$$

La Libertador , at Colón 14-30 and Bolívar, 7-560-779 or 7-570-

344, /fax [phone], is one of the better options in town, with com-

fortable rooms on three floors. (Ask for one of the newer rooms.) Ame-
nities include a swimming pool, sauna and a relatively nice
restaurant. Feel free to ask the friendly and informative manage-
ment about local excursions. $$