ECLECTIC IN ECUADOR
Why "Eclectic in Ecuador"?
The alliteration is nice, it's catchy and it's a correct statement.
Ecuador is a geographic collection of mountains, volcanoes, highlands, sierra, rainforest, cloud forest, coastal lands and those famous islands in the Pacific, the Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world according to Conservation International. One example: 1600 bird species - that's 15% of the world's known species. Add to that another 28 species endemic to the Galapagos.
Quito, the capital and second largest city, sits some 9,350 feet high in the Andes on the eastern slopes of Pichincha Volcano, which soars to 15,400. The altitude of Quito makes it - arguably - the second highest capital in the world. "Arguably" because La Paz is higher but it is not the official capital of Bolivia, which is Sucre and Sucre is lower than Quito.
But the real "eclectic Ecuador"?
Perched high on the slopes of Mt Pichincha sits a lodge that will make you smile, giggle, gasp and wonder. Nothing could be more eclectic nor more harmonious.
Rumiloma Lodge is the creation of Amber and Oswaldo Freire, who take pride in exceptional service and personalized attention. Amber, with a colorful past, is an energetic, welcoming, hands-on manager.
The dining room is gourmet, with an excellent tasting menu - that decadent way to spend an evening teasing your taste buds. You can dine in a booth with views to the city, at marble-topped tables with comfy tall bar-type chairs or in a private dining area surrounded by thick curtains.
There is a bar on the lower level with a big fireplace, cozy couches, crazy seats and tables, and a wine cellar that is filled to capacity and to please any desire.
The dining room and bar have been operating for several years, but the five rooms have just been completed. They are exquisitely eclectic - in setting, in design, in taste.
And, of course, each room has a name: Montana, Felicia, Sisa, Amberleingh and Valentina.
There is no more spectacular, fun and delicious way to spend a night or two, or even more, in Quito. The airport is just a ten minute slide down the mountain, all the important places to visit are all within easy reach and one of Quito's best restaurants is just steps from your accommodations.
It's almost as if you're staying in the city. Anything you want is within easy reach. Yet the city is "down there" with all its hustle and bustle.
And you are "up here" being pampered in the most eclectic way.
