AUTHENTIC Colonial feel
• CURATED modern-colonial design
• HOME-LIKE coziness
• CENTRAL location
• AMAZING view
• HIGH SPEED WiFi
“Imbabura”, this name is inspired in one of the Ecuador’s highest volcanoes, as well as
the name of one of the northern Andes provinces from where the Matriarch of the Cascante family, who resided in this house, originated from. Needless to say, it’s a very symbolic apartment for our family.
“Imbabura" is an Inspiring, fully-furnished and very complete and carefully curated modern-colonial apartment located on the third floor of "Casa LunaLoma", a charming and beautifully restored 3 stories high traditional house. This 100 yr old grand colonial house is located in the heart of "La Loma Grande" a colorful and traditional residential neighborhood adjacent to Quito's Historic Center. This house was the original home of the Cascante-Lopez family and its 9 children and for 80 years it has remained family owned. Today it houses a collection of 7 unique apartments, each one with its own personality and special qualities, yet all exuding the same welcoming warmth and charm.
Apartment “Imbabura” is an ample and spacious inspiring apartment. It features modern amenities with a most special mix of distinctively curated design touches that integrate local Ecuadorian culture, world culture, and our very own Cascante family culture. It has a full dining room table, complete kitchen, full living room and to cozy and comfortable rooms. It also has a lookout balcony with a privileged view to “El Panecillo” and the “Virgen de Quito”. This apartment exudes comfort and care from an era back. One of our most endearing apartments.
“Imbabura" is the perfect place for the couples, families, solo explorers, friends and business travelers that are seeking a unique immersive cultural experience that feels authentically colonial while still enjoying modern amenities with boutique designer touches. This is the perfect fit. Our apartment elegantly integrates classic colonial elements with modern amenities with a and comfort and comfortable 'home feeling’ as it weaves together within it elements of Cascante family daily life from an era back.
Our Apartment is also a great place for writers, artist, designer travelers looking for a calm, retreat-like space that is recharging, home-like and comfortable while providing them with tranquility & inspiration. It is also great for those looking for a longer term stay and needs a complete unit that still provides them with a feeling that evokes Old Town Quito’s charm.
Our apartment is over 900 sq. ft and is spacious enough for 2-4 travelers to feel right at home. As “Imbabura” is located on the third floor of “Casa LunaLoma” accessing it will require the ability to climb through two leaves of wooden stairways though, no worries, we’ll help you with this as needed!
Main Floor Area:
As you first enter the third floor, prior to entering our unit you are greeted by a long open passageway, balcony with a full and uninterrupted view of “El Panecillo” and our “Virgen de Quito” Statue. This stunning view is highly memorable and most iconic.
As you enter our unit, you enter into our window-lit dining room that receives the sun from the east and lights up this unit beautifully. Depending on what time of the day you arrive, you should notice the light quality, one of the many beautiful features of this apartment - the Quito light that constantly ebbs and flows, glows and dims based on the ever-changing climate of our city. …so going back to our unit. Our dining room table is an ample table that comfortably seats 4 people.
The dining room is also connected to our main Living room. A lovely space that beautifully captures a blend of an era long gone, yet so formally charming and retro. A classic traditional colonial style window that faces the front of our house lights up this room and creates a beautiful lighting effect when opened. This living room is perfect for our guest to sit back, relax with a great book and enjoy great conversations.
As you continue through its window light-filled dining room you are then greeted by our kitchen which at your arrival it will warmly welcome you with some goodies which we always provide to our guest to include: Medium size bottles of our most iconic local mineral water called "Guitig" (A must-try), local Ecuadorian ground coffee, local Tea and crackers. (We know how it is to finally arrive at home-base from a long flight)
Our kitchen is a cook-ready! It is pretty complete with all the essentials for meal preparation: Electric stove, fridge, coffee maker, microwave, tea kettle, pots, pans and cooking utensils. Whether you are doing a light morning coffee prep or if you want to fully venture into doing a more immersive cooking, the kitchen is ready. Many of our guest purchase items from the local "Tienditas" (mini-markets) to prepare their meals. Also, let us know if you have any special requests for foods to be stocked in the fridge prior to your arrival, we are happy to help with that at an additional charge.
The kitchen also has an extended small breakfast table for more quick and casual eating which can accommodate up to 2-3 people. This breakfast table also holds a smart TV right above it which you can hook to your Netflix in case a little binge watching is in the works for the evening while you cook!
Further, into our unit, you’ll find both of our bedrooms. The first one holds two twin-sized beds for two separate guests and our second room holds a Queen sized bed. All our bedding is hotel quality cotton sheets with Down comforters specially selected for their thick density to embrace the colds of Quito's evenings. Our mattress is very comfortable as well. Needless said, your evening will be ultra cozy! Both rooms also have ample space for storage through built-in closets and drawers. Each room also has their own deep inset traditional colonial window that faces the front of our house with an adjacent love seat. These spots are a most lovely place to receive the warmth of the sun (during summer) as you relax and read a great Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel.
As the evenings in Quito can get very cold, the apartment comes equipped with 2 space heaters as well as extra blankest for your cozy usage.
The apartment also has two bathrooms, a guest bathroom and a full bathroom. It has a full shower with hot water and great little skylight giving it a very charming little effect.
Our apartment has free fiber optic internet connection with WiFi enabled access throughout the house, so you remain connected.
Overall, our apartment “Imbabura" is an excellent choice as it’s very complete. It has a lot of style, character and beautifully curated design touches. Its perfect if you are looking for a home away from home that allows you to relax, get inspired, disconnect while still experiencing a unique and memorable taste of Quito with a retro flair and being central to all that Old Town Quito has to offer. Most certainly it will make your experience of Quito, that much more special.
Guest access
As part of your stay, you will have access to our common areas such as our geranium-filled courtyard. A peaceful, inner patio with a beautiful and traditional colonial water fountain at its center and a unique horizontal, deep inset window that perfectly frames a panoramic view of Old Town Quito, "El Panecillo" and our "Virgen de Quito". That's one thing to note and not miss! This is the perfect place to sit back, relax with the trickling of the water, pick up your favorite novel and chill from your day with a "Canelazo" or cup of wine :)
Casa LunaLoma also has a small balcony on its third floor with an equally stunning and unobstructed view of "El Panecillo" which can be accessed through its stairways, though the private balcony beats it :)
Casa LunaLoma has one private parking spot available upon special request and for an additional daily cost. Let us know if this is of interest.
Also, for our units, we have a washer and dryer accessible for all of our guest on the bottom floor of the house. This is free of charge.
• LATE CHECK IN - We offer the service of late check-in. Most flights arriving from US to Quito usually come in at midnight. Please be aware that if your flight arrives at this time we will require that your booking extends itself to the previous day.
• TAXI PICK UP - We offer reliable taxi pick up service recommendations. This is a separate charge payable directly to the driver.
• CITY SOUNDS - In regard to sounds, Barrio La Loma Grande is a breathing, living local neighborhood and even though it is not within the hustle/bustle of the Historic Core and is relatively quiet, it still breathes with local city sounds of daily commerce. One sound you may hear in the morning that may wake you up fairly early on some weekdays (and potentially make you chuckle!) is the Gas Man selling and delivering gas tanks. He drives around our city's street selling blue cooking gas tanks while playing a loud (very funny jingle) that alerts local residents to come out and buy the gas... just don't be surprised. Being that we are on the upper floor, it’s usually not too loud.
• CULTURAL ACTIVITIES - Check out our Face Book page as we constantly keep it updated with current cultural and art events taking place around our apartments like local concerts, musical & plays. The artistic and cultural energy within Downtown Quito is very special and some really great hidden gem of events are always taking place! Look for us in Face Book.
• SAFETY - In regard to overall safety, our neighborhood is relatively safe, yet please note it is still up and coming and it is not the gentrified part of Quito, which is what gives it its unique character. We always advise to all of our guests to exercise common sense when walking within ANY area of Quito, in particular, Old Town Quito.
The house has two layers of security, the wooden front door, and the iron gate.
