Hacienda - Hosteria San Luis invites you to visit a mountain retreat like no other. Part working ranch and part country guest house, San Luis tastefully combines modern amenities with the charm of a traditional Andean hacienda.

Embraced in a setting of gently sloping farmland, colorful gardens, Eucalyptus tree forests and the majestic Andes mountains, San Luis offers its guests equal parts adventure, relaxation and spiritual retreat.

Hacienda San Luis began as a family owned ranch or hacienda dedicated to breeding toros de lidia (fighting bulls) and raising dairy cows (both of which can be seen grazing in the nearby pastures!). Under the watchful eye of the Yerovi family, the hacienda's pre-existing infrastructure was adapted to the growing needs of the guest house.

Hosteria San Luis boasts thirty-six well-appointed rooms spread over 20 acres in 9 separate guest houses (the hacienda itself covers over 120 acres). Each guest house is decorated in the style of a traditional colonial hacienda with Spanish tile roofs and exposed wooden beam interiors.

All of the rooms have private bathrooms and hot water. Most rooms offer fireplaces and all have picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. Wireless internet is available for those who must stay in touch.

A first class kitchen and three distinct dining areas serves local cuisine and treasured family recipes. Two bars and a well stocked wine cellar complement nighttime entertainment which includes flamenco guitars, Andean folk dance and bonfires.

Horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking are among the many outdoor activities encouraging guests to enjoy the natural splendor of the hosteria and its surroundings.

Just outside the confines of the hacienda, indigenous life manifests itself as it has for centuries. Subsistence farmers watch over their sheep an cattle as they carefully tend to their vegetable gardens. The evident cultural diversity is a valuable and telling experience.

After a day of adventure and learning, guests can relax at the hosteria's spa which includes heated pool, steam room, sauna, whirlpool bath and massage area.

Sport area includes a mini-soccer pitch, basketball court, tennis court and volleyball court.

On certain holiday weekends, bullfighting exhibitions known as tientas are staged in the hosteria's bullring. These are typically bloodless. A traditional banda de pueblo (town brass band) accompanies the tienta. On occasion, an amateur bullfighter lurking among the spectators will jump into the ring to try his luck (and impress his friends) adding color to the spectacle.

In the YouTube video to the left, Guillermo Alban, a professional matador and dear friend of the Yerovi family, tests the fighting traits of a 2 year old cow in the Hacienda's bullring.

Adventure trips from the Hosteria are plentiful. Volcanic lakes such as Mojanda, San Marcos and Cuicocha are readily accessible and great for kayaking and hiking. The glaciers of Mt. Cayambe are an exhilarating 4-wheel drive journey only an hour from the Hosteria. Other outings include a visit to the pre-Incan pyramids of Cochasqui only 20 minutes away.

In addition, the colorful arts and crafts markets of Otavalo, Cotacachi and San Antonio de Ibarra are only a half hour away.

Hosteria San Luis is a perfect place to hold a destination wedding. For intimate religious ceremonies, a charming chapel on the Hosteria's grounds serves as the ideal place for nuptials. For larger weddings, the recently refurbished Tupigachi Church is conveniently located only two blocks from the Hosteria. A horse-drawn carriage is available to take the bride and bridesmaids to the church and back to the reception.

The Hosteria also boasts a convention center that can accommodate about 70 persons. The three dining halls and many outdoor areas are perfect for celebrations, receptions and business outings.

See slide show of a recent wedding at San Luis.

Hosteria San Luis is an ideal vacation destination for families. There are many green areas for young ones to run around in and explore plus a playground with swing-sets and monkey bars. For older children there is a game-room with Ping-Pong, fussball, pool table, jukebox and reading area.

Family suites are available. These have two seperate bedrooms connected by a small living room and two bathrooms. Special menus for children includes chicken nuggets with yucca fries and homemade helados de paila (ice cream).