La Mirage Garden Hotel and Spa

Quito & the Northern Andes

Rating: Ultimate

highlights

Historic hacienda now a luxury hotel
Gourmet cuisine
Stroll among flowers and peacocks in the gardens
Go hiking, horse riding and mountain biking
Spa offering Shamanic purification treatments

La Mirage Garden Hotel and Spa overview

La Mirage Garden Hotel and Spa provides the most luxurious accommodation in the Otavalo region. The hotel is an elegant former hacienda surrounded by attractive gardens planted with roses. orchids and bougainvillea, on the outskirts of the leatherworking town of Cotacachi, about a 15 minute drive from Otavalo.

Each of the 23 rooms and suites is unique in design and decor. The opulent furnishings include crystal chandeliers and Oriental carpets. All rooms have a separate sitting area with an open fire and views of the lovely gardens. The bathrooms are well equipped and feature extra large showers. Amenities include TV, 'phone and internet access.

The gardens at La Mirage are lush and welcoming. The air is heady with the scent of the many flowers, some of which are arranged in hanging baskets suspended from the trees. Peacocks stroll through the grounds and hummingbirds can be seen among the blooms. The mountains make a magnificent backdrop. Various excursions can be arranged for guests, such as visits to Cotacachi town, hikes around Cuicocha crater lake, a visit Otavalo's famous market and guided horse riding through spectacular scenery.

La Mirage is well known for its gourmet food, the best in the region. Each morning a generous buffet breakfast in the bright breakfast room with views out to the gardens. A la carte dinners are served in the atmospheric restaurant, filled with beautiful antique furniture.

Spa
La Mirage is famous for its spa treatments and is equipped with a wondeful spa area with numerous rooms for many different types of treatments. Guests can enjoy massages with scented oils, Egyptian body soaks, clay body wraps and relaxing flower baths. Reflexology and aromatherapy are also offered. A speciality is the female Shaman who practises indigenous healing therapies. The Shamanic purification treatments are not for the faint hearted, but should not be missed! This is designed to cleanse the body, soul and spirit. There is also a solar heated indoor pool and a relaxation room. The spa also has a jacuzzi, steam room and small exercise room.

details

Open: All year.

Location: La Mirage is about a 2 hour drive north of Quito, in the Andes region of Ecuador, near the town of Cotacachi.

Rooms: There are 23 rooms and suites including a 2-bed and 2-bathroom family suite. All have large, modern bathrooms. Local and European furnishings are used in the rooms, which are all individually decorated. All have a private sitting area and look out onto the gardens. Room amenities include a digital phone, high speed internet access, a TV and a safe.

Activities: Tennis, mountain biking, hiking, horse riding. There is an indoor pool. fitness centre and hammam.

Facilities: La Mirage is known for its high quality food. Breakfast is served in the Colibri Restaurant, looking out over the gardens. Lunch can be taken in the Patio Restaurant while a la carte dinners are served in the formal, elegant main restaurant. Guests can relax in the Pandora Lounge, listen to music, enjoy a drink and chat with fellow guests. The hotel gardens are beautifully maintained and feature a variety of fragrant flowers, statues, ponds and fountains and are home to several peacocks and many species of birds including hummingbirds. Recreational facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a gym, outdoor tennis court and a spa whch offers a range of treatments including massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. It also offers the services of a local female shaman. Reception is staffed 24 hours a day.

Dining: Meals are taken at individual tables.

Children: Children aged 6 years and over are welcome.

Health: This is not a malarial area.

Communication: There is high speed internet access and Wi-Fi.