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

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.