Itza Hotel Boutique Internacional

Two colonial buildings merged into one address at the corner of Gran Colombia and Benigno Malo, Itza Boutique Internacional sits in the heart of Cuenca's UNESCO-listed historic centre, steps from the Cathedral Nueva's blue-tiled domes.

The hotel's five-star standing draws on restored Republican-era architecture kept visible in the courtyard arcades and carved stone doorways. Rooms face either the pedestrian-busy Gran Colombia or the quieter interior patio — a meaningful distinction when church bells begin at dawn.

Cuenca's El Centro rewards slow walking: the Pumapungo archaeological museum, the flower market at Plaza de las Flores, and the art galleries along Calle Larga all fall within ten minutes on foot. The city sits at 2,550 metres elevation — thin air warrants a slower pace on arrival.