The Best Spa and Boutique Hotels in Baños, Ecuador

Perched on the side of a steep valley, surrounded by lush green vegetation, and overlooking the churning waters of the Rio Pastaza, it’s safe to say that the Aldea Real Eco Resort is a candidate for best spa in Ecuador, not to mention having one of the best views in Banos. Enjoy the scenery while swinging from a hammock on your boutique room’s private wooden terrace, or, better yet, fill the spa bath with bubbles, pour a glass of wine, and take in the view while you soak up the revitalising atmosphere.

Escape it all with a relaxing spa retreat at the Hosteria y Spa Isla Banos, one of the best hotels in Banos, Ecuador. Rooms here are bright, colourful and comfy, and the hotel is surrounded by lush, tropical scenery that adds to the sense of escapism. The best rooms have private spa-style bathtubs, but the main spa is located in the garden. You’ll be surrounded by nature as you plunge into the spa pool, take a detoxing drawer bath or enjoy a well-earned massage.

Banos is the city of waterfalls, and from your private terrace at the Sangay Spa Hotel you’ll be able to see cascades plummeting over the nearby cliffs. The scenery is certainly relaxing, and as far as Banos Ecuador resorts go, the Sangay Spa Hotel has some of the most relaxing spa facilities too. The hotel’s Indra Ayuverdic Spa has 36 different treatments available, including Ayurveda therapies and medicinal baths. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and despite being in the middle of the Ecuadorian rainforest, there’s even a Turkish-style bath.

Is Luna Volcan the best place to stay in Banos Ecuador? We’ll let you decide, but after spending the evening in a volcanically-heated whirlpool on the edge of a cliff overlooking the bright lights of the city, you’ll find it difficult to stay anywhere else. Luna Volcan has four thermal pools, one whirlpool and 43 treatments to choose from at the Lunda Healing Spa. Order pina coladas from the Moon Bar, have a romantic meal for two at the Moon Restaurant, and try 34 different types of coffee with a view at Cafe del Cielo.

One of the best hotels in Banos, Ecuador, is without a doubt Jardines de Chamana. This quirky boutique hotel has faux-stained glass windows, exposed red brick walls and an array of local materials, sculptures and art works that all combine to create an unusual setting beneath the mountains. At night, when the bright windows and lights are all lit up, this could be the most colourful hotel in Banos, while during the day, you’ll love the views over the valley and volcano from the quaint terraces.

Take a seat in the green, colourful garden at La Posada del Arte and you’ll be transfixed by the roaring waterfall falling from the cliffs in front of the hotel. It’s a beautiful setting, and considering this is a budget-friendly hotel and hostel, you can’t find much better value or views anywhere else in Banos. The hotel is just as colourful as the garden: you’ll find rooms are brightly painted, and every inch of the hallways, dining areas and communal spaces is decorated with local artworks.

With four hectares of gorgeous gardens and an open air museum to explore, the Samari Spa Resort is the place to reconnect with both nature and the past. This five-star resort sets its heritage-minded rooms around a central courtyard that’s filled with local plants and greenery, while the steamy indoor swimming pool is designed to create a sub-tropical setting. Gourmet Ecuadorian cuisine is served on antique tables at the stone-walled tavern, while the spa facilities include a sauna, a polar bath, a Turkish bath, hydromassages and more.

Book an Ecuadorian getaway at Casa Giralda and you’ll be staying in a spacious bungalow, cabana or chalet overlooking the mountain resort’s outdoor swimming pool. There’s an undercover swimming pool, too, that’s kept at a toasty 28 degrees celsius all through the year. If that’s not warm enough for you, then take a plunge in the jacuzzi, where the water is heated to 40 degrees celsius, or sweat it out in the sauna or Turkish Hammam for the ultimate relaxation session.

Colourful terraces overlook a bright green garden at the boutique Hotel La Floresta. The unique rooms are decorated with local textiles, paintings and photographs of local flora and fauna, and the beds are delightfully comfortable after a day of hiking around Banos. Relax in a hammock on the balcony, run a soothing bath in your room or order up a bottle of wine and a few local dishes from La Floresta Restaurant.