miércoles, 20 de enero de 2021

How to Spend 3 Nights in Guayaquil with Hotel del Parque

 

How to Spend 3 Nights in Guayaquil with Hotel del Parque

by Stephanie Frias 

Swooning for a sojourn to the Galapagos Islands? Pay homage to the king of worldwide eco destinations with a nod to her motherland. After all, sustainability experts are whispering about lessening our impact through ubiquitous travel. In other words, string your Galapagos travel story together with bookends on the mainland, precisely from Guayaquil.

Night 1: Parque Historico in Samborondón

Perhaps the most charming way to broaden your stay in Ecuador is to spend at least 3 nights lingering in the steamy port city of Guayaquil. For an exquisite blend of wealth and wilderness, spend your first day in Guayaquil sauntering through the decidedly chic and oh-so-eco Parque Historico in the Samborondón neighborhood. The isthmus harbors an 8-hectare garden oasis home to some 50 wildlife species and historical architecture along the riverfront.

 

                                                    © Hotel del Parque

From within, snuggle up at the world-renowned Hotel del Parque all while sipping wine and sinking into the legendary cuisine at Casa Julian. It’s just one of three notable restaurants within the park coveted for their sustainable food practices.

                                                        © Casa Julián

Night 2:  Explore greater Guayaquil

Spend day two on the mainland with a quick commute from Samborondón to greater downtown Guayaquil. Despite being a bustling city topping off over 2.2 million residents, the waterfront city is delightfully easy to explore. Plus, it’s rather famous for its parks, plazas, and meandering walking districts. Start your day with a stroll overlooking the city from the lighthouse at Cerro Santa Ana and the Las Peñas art district. Then, head back waterside before the sun sinks into the sea with a cruise along the Malecon 2000 as it lights up the riverfront after dark.

 

                                                    © Hotel del Parque

 After a full day exploring Guayaquil, retreat to the serenity of Hotel del Parque for afternoon tea at El Jardin.

Night 3: Visit a Cocoa Plantation

 For the final precursor to the Galapagos Islands, swathe yourself in the sweet history of mainland Ecuador’s favorite pastime: chocolate. Surrounding Guayaquil, the largest Pacific watershed in South America lends itself to the fertile, tropical lands responsible for centuries-old sugar and cocoa plantations. It’s the palm of the oldest chocolate recipes in the world, hosted by a plethora of chocolate farms still operating today.

An intriguing way to experience it firsthand is via the region’s very own Cocoa Route. After all, Guayaquil is a city founded on the very roots of chocolate, rising to prominence over the cocoa exportation boom nearly 400 years ago.

                                                    © shotsoflouis

Guayaquil’s Cocoa Route

The official Cocoa Route passes through 6 historic cocoa plantations, through which it is endearingly possible to become a veritable cacao expert in just one day.

From Hotel del Parque, the tour first sets off for Hacienda Camino Verde, an astounding 8,600 acreage recognized globally for its sustainable production of fine chocolates. Then, continue on to El Deseo where the allure is in the secrets of taking Ecuadorian cacao from local farms to international tables.

Thirdly, a visit to the Hacienda La Danesa lends an iconic experience of the Ecuadorian chocolate trade. The historic ranch is prized for its award-winning chocolate developed on what is known as the best cacao plantation on the globe.

The route also includes a tour of the organic chocolate producer Milagro Vitaliano Sarabia, known as the prominent supplier of cacao for the fine chocolate industries hailing from France.

 

                                                    © Pixabay

 Additionally, a stop at Querida Virginia in Naranjal chronicles the scientific side of chocolate where the independent cacao producer develops Cacao CCN-51, a coveted fine chocolate variety recognized for its exquisite aroma and red coloring.

Finally, the full chocolate presentation is topped off with a look at the wilder side of the chocolate business. Tours through Taura and Bucay take onlookers through a deeper look at the natural landscapes in the world of cacao plantations including the vast cloud forests and coastal mangroves responsible for the best chocolate on the planet.

At the close of the day, return once more to Hotel del Parque to revisit memories of the day with Spanish tapas and wine at La Pergola on the twinkling waterfront.

 

© Hotel del Parque

 


lunes, 28 de septiembre de 2020

 

Guayaquil,

Hotel del Parque

Restaurant Casa Julián

Win Lofty TripAdvisor Awards

 

Despite a year of worldwide instability and uncertainty in the travel sector, Guayaquil continues to rise above it. Like a phoenix leaping from the ashes, Ecuador’s favorite city has seized 2020 as an opportunity. Guayaquil has proven that now is the time to become known as more than just a stop en route to the Galapagos Islands. 

This year has been pivotal in catapulting Guayaquil’s reputation as a world-class travel destination. The Ecuadorian city’s rising popularity is evidenced via numerous Traveler’s Choice 2020 awards issued by TripAdvisor. 

Included below are the awards earned for Top 20 Emerging Destination, Best of the Best Hotels in the World, Top 25 Hotels in South America, Best Restaurants in the World, and Top 10 Mid-range Restaurants in Guayaquil.

 

Guayaquil’s Lighthouse of Santa Clara © Antoine 49

Guayaquil, Ecuador included as Top 20 Emerging Destination

Guayaquil, Ecuador never rests and intrepid travelers across the globe are sitting up to take notice. Its tourism rise reflects a move towards luxury, sustainable, outdoors, and culinary-themed travel. Guayaquil, the city as a whole won a coveted spot on the TripAdvisor 2020 Emerging Destinations list.

TripAdvisor 2020 Emerging Destination winners are chosen by TripAdvisor based on traveler reviews and a verifiable increase in interest from yet-to-visit travelers. The level of future travel interest is tracked throughout the previous year, noting significant upticks in searches and saves.

Emerging Destination winners are then determined as the twenty destinations at the forefront of travelers’ minds. These up and coming worldwide destinations span the globe and include nearly every continent. This research unequivocally predicts where travelers intend to travel next. Guayaquil, Ecuador currently ranks in the middle as the 2020 Emerging Destination with the twelfth highest amount of searches and saves.

Top Attractions in Guayaquil, based on TripAdvisor reviews:

     Parque Historico Guayaquil

     Malecon 2000

     Las Peñas

 

Malecon 2000 © José A. Vilches

Hotel del Parque listed as Best of the Best Hotels in the World

In addition to the above, an icon of the Ecuadorian owned Oro Verde hotels chain continues to send ripples through the hospitality niche. Hotel del Parque, a 5-star boutique hotel which earned Relais & Chateaux affiliation late last year, is now being recognized among the Best of the Best Hotels in the world.

The prestigious list is part of the Traveler's Choice 2020 awards by TripAdvisor. To be included, hotels must fall into the tiny margins defined as the top 1% of hotels in the world according to TripAdvisor traveler reviews. In addition, Hotel del Parque made the list of the Top 25 Hotels in South America.

Currently, there are 1.4 million hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and specialty lodges listed worldwide on TripAdvisor. Hotel del Parque Historico boasts traveler reviews higher than 99% of all hotels globally. This accomplishment places Hotel del Parque Historico alongside other legendary names in hospitality. The Oro Verde hotels shares it recognition with reputable brands like Belmond, Luxury Collection Resorts, Four Seasons hotels, JW Marriott, and more.



Hotel del Parque Historico

Casa Julian among the 10% Best Restaurants in the World

Known for its ambiance as much as it’s food, Casa Julian is a relatively new name on Guayaquil’s culinary scene. Even so, it hasn't taken long to climb the rankings, successfully establishing itself as a benchmark among the best restaurants in Guayaquil. 

Casa Julian boasts gourmet fusion cuisine, a sustainable food program, and a dazzling riverfront location. All undoubtedly played a role in establishing its unparalleled reputation. Via the Travelers Choice 2020 awards by TripAdvisor, Casa Julian is recognized as one of the Best Restaurants in the World.

The award is earned by restaurants that rank in the top 10% of worldwide TripAdvisor restaurant reviews from 2019. Globally, there are 1.4 million restaurants in 48 countries listed on the travel reviews website.

In addition, Casa Julian is also recognized among the Top 10 mid-range restaurants in Guayaquil, coming in number eight on a list of 662 restaurants listed in this category.

 Currently, 89% of Casa Julian reviews rate their dining experience as very good to excellent.

According to the reviews, favorite dishes include:

 

     Ceviche

     Osso Bucco

     Sea Bass



                           Casa Julian

domingo, 9 de agosto de 2020

Guayaquil, Ecuador Hotel Embraces Sustainability with Green Globe

 

 

Guayaquil, Ecuador Hotel Embraces Sustainability with Green Globe

By Stephanie Frias

There’s been a long lull in 2020 for the travel lonesome but for some, resuming travel is long overdue. It’s time to brush off the cabin fever blues and experience the world anew!

Hotel del Parque Guayaquil awaits, poised and polished, with a splendid mix of anticipated comforts, alluring surprises, and renewed sustainability efforts.

 

Hotel del Parque turns Sustainable with Green Globe

While Mother Nature has been stopping to catch her breath, Hotel del Parque has joined the ranks of world-wide sustainable hotels under Green Globe affiliation. Among the first of such hotels in both Ecuador and South America, the five-star hotel strives to meet the criterion to be a locally and internationally recognized sustainable travel establishment.

 By complying with the Green Globe Standard, which includes 44 core criteria and over 380 compliance indicators, Hotel del Parque is rolling out the red carpet for luxury sustainability. With these, guests can anticipate sumptuous comforts and iconic experiences without worries of exploiting precious environmental or socio-cultural resources. 

The Green Globe sustainability program is a far-reaching enterprise touching virtually every corner of the hospitality niche where no detail is missed. Long term sustainability efforts encompass design and construction, food and health, business management, guest satisfaction, communication, ethics, and more.

 

 

New Guayaquil Restaurants Serve Sustainable Food

Included in their sustainability efforts, Ecuador’s eco-friendlyHotel del Parque harbors one of the best restaurants in Guayaquil, Casa Julian. It’s been long touted for creative culinary design plated with revolutionary sustainable food practices. The gourmet cuisine is a key indicator in the Relais & Chateaux affiliation earned by the hotel late last year.

 

But, Casa Julian no longer stands alone! While the hospitality world was quiet over coronavirus, the beehive kept buzzing inside Hotel del Parque while they added two additional world-class restaurants to the property.

 El Jardin

Tucked into the lush, inner courtyards of Hotel del Parque, La Jardin replaces the former breakfast terrace. The legendary communal breakfast is now served room side, while the gardens have come alive with the scents of an Italian kitchen come late afternoon.

El Jardin’s petite menu mimics a dinner course set at home with a main dish House Pasta featuring classics like garganelli, tortellini, spaghetti, or farfalle; served with a glass of house wine. Antipastos include decadent delights such as Campari soaked melon with cured ham or tomato carpaccio with cheese in a balsamic reduction sauce. Dreamy Italian desserts seal the deal with classics like Panna cotta or fruit and herb laden sorbets. 

The Italian cafe is now welcoming guests from Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 pm till 10:30 pm.


La Pergola

Perched along the twinkling Daule waterfront is the casually distinguished La Pergola. Taking nods from a Spanish tapas & wine menu, the offerings boast a flirtatious mix of iconic bar plates with particular yacht club flair.

 

Among the culinary highlights are the Angus beef Bao Burger with brioche bread and sweet mustard dressing, crispy shellfish empanadas with tomatillo aji and organic honey, and Siracha chili cheese fries topped with peppermint guacamole. Top it all off with world-famous aperitifs including sangria, negroni, mojitos, margaritas, and more.

 

La Pergola also serves from late afternoon through evening, from 1 pm to 10:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday.

 

Social Distancing & Health Protocols

As per usual, guests can expect that no detail has been discarded and full preparations are underway to ensure both the enjoyment and safety of our guests and personnel. Rest assured that every measure is being taken to comply with health protocols established by the Ecuadorian government, the World Health Organization, Oro Verde hotels, and Relais & Chateaux.

 

All guest experiences are available, plus restaurants and bars are open with consideration for social distancing regulations. The wildlife park will remain closed to visitors. The surrounding Samborondon neighborhood is currently operating under yellow light status with more relaxed restrictions than greater Guayaquil. Nearby malls and restaurants are open.