La Casa Amarilla

Bettina and Darwin are the most hospitable hosts imaginable. There are only 2 rooms, so you immediately feel one of the family. My room was divine, colourful and comfortable. Breakfast with a breathtaking view over Banos, under the supervision of their two llamas grazing nearby. It’s worth coming to Banos just to stay here. Only caution- the road is very steep. My taxi wouldn’t take me up as it had been raining. There is a driveway - i should have taken the left fork by foot, instead i took the right (where the taxi driver indicated) which was muddy, steep and difficult in the dark, especially if like me you’re carrying too much But worth it!!!

Excellent stay. This is a family run hotel so very unofficial and welcoming making solo impromptu travel much easier when any reservation changes occur. As a solo traveler I felt extremely safe staying there and felt more like home than a hotel. One of the owners was also immensely helpful towards helping me arrange last minute tours I wanted to do and really made my stay in Banos exceptional. Yes, the hotel is on a steep inclined hill - but you wouldn't have such spectacual views without being on a hill. If you can do a steep 13min hike, it is WELL WORTH IT. The trail is lit up in the evening so no issue coming back after dark either. There is an unofficial restaurant as part of the hotel, so food or drinks are also not an issue, if not wanting to come up/down the mountain too frequently. HIGHLY recommend the property's horse offer when arriving (horse if muddy post rain but I was told a taxi can go up there as well...)- you do not want to be dragging your luggage up that hill AND hiking it for the first time.

Bettina and Darwin were exceptional hosts. The beds were comfortable, the food was amazing and the view was spectacular. It’s a hike to get to the place but well worth it.

I had an excellent time at Casablanca Amarilla. It’s a lovely place perched on the hillside. The owners are very friendly and helpful.

My wife and I are from California and have visited Ecuador twice now for months at a time. Being foreigners it can be hard at times to find clean, comfortable and safe places to stay but that’s exactly what we found here. The owners make you feel like your at home and they are very helpful and overall just great people. The hotel is clean and the food they serve is great also. Just be sure to bring some good shoes for the 15 minute hike up to the house.

it was a crazy holiday weekend and last minute booking so we choose casa amarilla for some of our group guests. you better be in shape or not have any problem waking its a steap walk, it will compensate with the view and the great hosts casa amarilla has. you can organize horseback ride from the main street to casa amarilla to avoid the walk.

If you like hiking, great hosts, wonderful views and excellent breakfasts then this is the place for you. Bettina and Darwin make you comfortable and welcome at the Casa Amarilla. Muchas gracias - Bev & Bob de Canada

Nestled in the middle of the mountain, this was absolutely an amazing experience. Felt like we were staying at a good friends house. Bettina, her husband and son Rumi were so delightful!! Thanks for making this experience so special. If you're looking for a quiet escape, with a little bit of leg work to go up a hill for a few minutes, you will LOVE THIS!!

We had a wonderful time and the owners family is very friendly. They helped us with all issues we had and gave us valuable advice for our current and future stay. We will come back. It is a trek up the hill but if you don’t mind walking the peace and the views are worth it.

We stayed six nights with Bettina and Darwin who were wonderful hosts. The three room Casa is quiet, very clean, very good wifi, hot water in the shower, delicious and plentiful cook-to-order breakfast (think eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit "sundaes", croissants/fresh bread, ham & cheese, cafe con leche or hot chocolate or tea with herbs fresh from Bettina's garden (try the lemongrass), and homemade jams with fruit from Darwin's farm). The view overlooking Banos is amazing, but be warned it comes at a price. It's a 10-15 minute walk down into town, a 20-30 minute walk up depending on your fitness, it is a very steep hill, but worth it if you can make the trek. A horse can be arranged to transport you and/or your luggage up the steep walk as no cars or taxis can drive up. We would plan our day to be out and about all day and only have to walk up once at the end of the day - it's lit with street lights so very safe, but bring a small flashlight just in case the electricity goes out. We enjoyed Darwin's chef skills for dinner several times during our stay and Bettina offered a late night sugar cane liquor and a blackberry and limoncello liquor other nights. We also tried her homemade blackberry frozen ice - delicious. They offer through their restaurant lunch and dinner options and beverages to people staying at Banos hotels/hostels and to hikers passing by to the Virgin Statue. We highly recommend La Casa Amarilla and Darwin and Bettina's hospitality and would stay with them again.

I absolutely loved my stay at La Casa Amarilla! It's a little bit of a hike to get there, but if you're staying in Banos you should be willing to do some hiking to take in the true splendor of stage area. I had the most amazing view from my room and also took many pictures on the way to/from my hotel every day. Bettina and Darwin were amazing hosts--very polite and accommodating of my needs, and always offering help with suggestions when I'd ask questions about different activities and places in town. They were both very friendly and fun to talk to while I'd enjoy my morning coffee and when I'd return for the day. I absolutely loved it here and highly recommend to anyone visiting Banos!

Wonderful! If you are fit enough to walk 10 min up a steep path, you will be well rewarded: a beautiful location overlooking the town and the surrounding mountains, the peace of a lush garden, and a discrete building, nicely decorated, blending with the vegetation. The owners will quickly make you feel welcome and at home.

Darwin and Bettina who run the place are so sweet, you feel like family. Fresh and delicious breakfast daily- great coffee and fresh mora juice!!! Darwin acted as our personal tour guide, taking us out two days to see waterfalls and canopying. The room is comfy and quiet. Views from the hotel are beautiful, looking over banos. Be prepared, the walk up to the hotel is an intense 10 minute, rocky and can be muddy hill. Banos is such a fun town, definitely stay here and enjoy!

I like the fact that the place had a quiet surrounding atmosphere. the view of the city of Baños Is spectacular as is to be expected from the hotel location. The hotel owner is very friendly and accommodating. he speaks Swedish, English, and Spanish.

Arrive at address. Hotel had no parking area. No road access. No one to answer the phone

El acceso al lugar es muy complicado, el camino necesita un auto 4x4

An amazing place to stay at!!

We arrived in the evening and we were welcomed very warmly by Bettina and her son. The view was amazing over Baños, very much worth the 15 mins hike up the mountain road. We felt more like being invited at a family, Bettina and Darwin personally cooked our diners which were always very delightful. They use a lot of fresh ingredients picked from the garden, like for tea. Highly recommended, gives that extra quality touch to your stay. + The animals (rabbits, dogs, chickens and more) were very fun to have around us.

A hotel beautifully situated with a grand view of the town Banos and the surrounding mountains. It is perfectly managed by Bettina, originally from Switzerland. I only stayed one night but wish I had stayed longer.

Very nice hotel to stay in Baños. It is way up the hill and when you are up in the hotel you have a spectaculair view of the whole town and valley, especially at night it is beautiful. You don't have to go down town at night to have dinner. Darwin and his wife make delicious dinners. It is really worth staying at this hotel. They also Help to organize trips.