Ecuador has traditionally not been much of a luxury travel destination, with most upscale travelers only stopping a night in Quito on the way to or from the Galapagos Islands. This is starting to change, however, with many luxury tourists realizing there is plenty worth sticking around for in this country of high Andes Mountains, volcanoes, jungles, cloudforests, and empty beaches.

For now, the top hotels and lodges are all focused in Quito, Guayaquil, and the jungle. Most of Ecudor's upscale tourism takes place on the water--on luxury yacht trips to the Galapagos rather than in a permanent structure on land.

Many of Ecuador's hotel guests in the past were either tour groups in transit or business travelers striking a deal. Neither of these led to the kind of attentive, upscale hotel with personal touches that discerning travelers try to find. The rise of independent travelers in Ecuador is giving rise to new boutique hotels that are a step above the norm, however, a trend that looks likely to increase in the coming years. As pioneer expatriates move into areas not currently served by luxury hotels or resorts, watch this space for some small hotels jumping in to serve adventurers in new markets.

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