Hostal El Taxo

Location:
Foch 909 y Cordero
La Mariscal, Quito, Ecuador

Hotel

By Nili Larish

Stray just outside of the heart of the Mariscal and you'll run into Hostal El Taxo, a friendly family-run hostel that is a hidden gem for budget travelers looking for a cozy atmosphere with unbeatable value.

Both crucifixes and posters of Snoop Dogg and Bob Marley punctuate El Taxo’s walls, setting an atmosphere that is simultaneously homey and youthful, local and foreign. The spacious dorm rooms are painted in cheerful colors and include bright, spotless bathrooms with hot water. The common area has a working fireplace, leather couches, fresh flowers, and a large cable TV and DVD player, and feels like a living room rather than a grungy backpacker hangout.

With a mixed clientèle of young Europeans, Americans and Israelis, Hostal El Taxo retains a youthful buzz but doesn't seem to suffer from the noise or mess that often accompanies other budget hostels. As such, it would even be a place that families with children could comfortably stay in.

After 6:00 pm during the weekends, El Taxo opens up it's chilled-out outdoor bar and barbeque area in the front patio, which is the perfect place to hang out and have a drink before heading out into the Mariscal’s late-night chaos.

At $7 a night for a dorm room and $10 for a private room with a bathroom, Hostal El Taxo is a lesser-known budget option that won’t disappoint.

Update: Although you could formerly get a complete breakfast at the hostel, by Nov. 2008 the owners were no longer offering food. Guests could take advantage of a full kitchen if they wanted to make their own meals; the front patio bar also stocked a range of bottled waters for sale.

This Hotel is: Budget

Hotel Amenities, Services and Facilities Bar, Community Kitchen, Laundry Service, 24-Hour Reception, Safe in Reception or Rooms, Lounge, Book Exchange - Free, Luggage Storage, Child-Friendly Facilities, BBQ Area

Room Prices:
Lower:$7
Higher:$10
Price Description:Friendly owner Piedad says discounts can be arranged for groups.

Contact Information:
Zip: 593-2-222-5593