After island-hopping in the Galapagos with days spent snorkeling with sea lions, hiking across volcanic landscapes, and keeping up with packed excursion schedules, it can feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. That’s where Hacienda La Danesa comes in. Just a short drive from Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador, this luxurious hacienda-style hotel offers the perfect way to unwind before heading home.
Here, the pace slows. Instead of rushing to catch your zodiac boat for your next excursion, you can linger over fresh farm-to-table meals, stroll through the gardens, or relax in the open-air lodge with nothing but birdsong in the background. It’s a chance to trade the exhilarating, non-stop adventure of the Galapagos for a few days of rest, nature, and warm Ecuadorian hospitality—making La Danesa the ideal finale to your trip, especially if your international flight departs from Guayaquil.
If you only have a week to 10 days to spend in Ecuador, I’d suggest spending five nights on a Galapagos cruise and then adding on three to four nights at Hacienda La Danesa Ecuador. And as a travel advisor, I’d be happy to help you plan and book this trip. Learn more about my trip planning services and VIP hotel perks.
But first, let me tell you why I fell in love with Hacienda La Danesa during my visit.
About Hacienda La Danesa Hotel
Set on a family-owned working farm, Hacienda La Danesa blends rustic elegance with authentic Ecuadorian charm. With only seven guest rooms and a setting surrounded by lush countryside, it feels more like being welcomed into someone’s private estate than checking into a hotel. It’s intimate, luxurious in a quiet way, and designed for travelers who want to feel both cared for and connected to the land.
The estate, owned by the Olsen Peet family, is about an hour’s drive from Guayaquil, which is at least a stopover for flights from the Galapagos. To get there, you can either rent a car and drive yourself, especially if you want the freedom to explore on your own during your stay, or you can arrange a private transfer. Guests can even arrive via private helicopter for an unforgettable aerial journey.
Hacienda La Danesa Review
Accommodations: A Garden Cottage Retreat
I stayed in the Garden Cottage, tucked away with a private sitting area and cozy, stylish décor that blended modern comforts with traditional details. Spacious yet intimate, it was the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring or simply to enjoy the stillness of the countryside.
As soon as I walked down the plant-lined pathway, through a tunnel dripping with greenery, I knew I was in for a treat. Opening the door to this gorgeous space, I was blown away by the beautiful contemporary but rustic chicness of the design. I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels over the years, but this will always be a standout, especially for those who appreciate interior design.
This spacious cottage features a king bed, writing desk, and a huge and well-equipped bathroom area. From raincoats to lanterns, bug spray and chocolate, La Danesa thought of everything. This was the perfect Ecuador luxury farm stay.
While rooms only sleep two people, families can take the two rooms in the Stables building. This stand along building in the Hacienda’s restored stables gives families the space and privacy they enjoy, including a private courtyard. There are also two Heritage Bedrooms that are part of the historic family farmhouse. Guests enjoy a private entrance and a sense of history and tradition in these cozy bedrooms.
Lodge & Restaurant
At the center of the property sits the heart of the Hacienda, a stylish lodge building that is home to the bar, restaurant, and lounge area. The decor is simply stunning and the food is a perfect match.
Meals at La Danesa reflect both Ecuadorian flavors and international influences, utilizing local ingredients. Breakfasts can be enjoyed al fresco, with fresh fruit, pastries, and an a la carte menu. Lunch can either be a three-course meal or something lighter, like fresh ceviche and tasty salads.
There is even a small shop on the property with a curated selection of local goods, as well as items that they produce on site. I still regret not buying a jar of the La Danesa dulce de leche, which was one of the best that I’ve tasted.
The lodge building is also a great spot to gather or relax. In addition to the comfortable seating area, there is also a beautiful library for those seeking peace and quiet.
On the property, you will also find a large working stables, dairy barn, a cacao plantation, the Anapoyo and Milagro Rivers, wellness center, pool, chocolate workshop, boutique, and acres of teak trees, fields, and lush forest.
Activities: From River Tubing to Cacao Plantations
One of the joys of staying at Hacienda La Danesa is the variety of things to do—at whatever pace suits you.
Included activities might have you pedaling through the countryside on a bike, floating lazily down the river on an inner tube, visiting the cacao plantation to see the chocolate-making process firsthand, or even trying your hand at milking a cow or enjoying an immersive tree-to-bar chocolate making workshop. There are miles of trails to explore on horseback, bike, or hiking that go through pastures and teak plantations, and past rivers.
La Danesa partners with the local community and for your excursions, you will be paired with a local, Spanish-speaking guide. This is a great way to practice your Spanish. However, for some activities (like the chocolate making workshop) may also include an interpreter.
The lush grounds invite guests to wander, birdwatch, or simply find a quiet corner to sit and listen to the sounds of nature. Floating down the river, you may spy river otters, iguanas, or sloths.
My visit was too short by far, but I was still able to enjoy a guided bike ride through the property where we spotted two sloths! I also had fun making my own chocolate bar and tasting the Hacienda’s locally produced jams, spreads, and chocolate.
For those looking for more, optional activities such as horseback riding, cooking classes, beehive workshops, in-room massages, and guided excursions can be arranged. Adventurous guests may also want to try the Cloud Forest and waterfall hike in the Esperanza Cloud Forest Reserve, which is a boon for both bird-watchers and adrenaline seekers as the hike goes through three waterfalls and offers the opportunity to try rappelling. This excursion finishes as a local farm where you can learn about artisan sugar cane juice and liquor production, with a hands-on opportunity to make your own sugar cane juice.
Service with Heart
The staff at La Danesa are warm, welcoming, and attentive, eager to make each guest feel at home. While most of the team speaks primarily Spanish, that only adds to the authenticity of the experience—and offers a wonderful chance to practice a few phrases. Service here feels genuine and personal, the kind that makes you feel part of the family. Everyone that I interacted with seemed to take pride and care in their work and, even though I was traveling solo, made every effort to to make me feel at home.
If you are looking for where to stay before or after a Galapagos cruise, Hacienda La Danesa is hard to beat. Where the islands are all about the wildlife, La Danesa offers a sense of connection to the people and culture of Ecuador. Spending a few days here extends your journey in the best possible way, ensuring you return home not only exhilarated by the Galapagos but also restored by the hacienda’s warmth and beauty.
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Tamara Gruber is an award-winning travel writer and the founder of Your Time to Fly. With more than a decade of professional writing experience across two travel publications and hundreds of destination guides, she specializes in crafting practical, detailed itineraries that help travelers explore the world with confidence. Her work reflects years of on-the-ground research across the globe. Tamara is a member of SATW and serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association.
