Cuenca

With unrivaled service and rooms decorated with unique themes, the Alcázar is the best high-end offering in Cuenca. — Lonely Planet

With such stiff competition, it's tough to rise to the top of the backpacker accommodation game in Cuenca but this place has done it. — Lonely Planet

Its aspirations are clearly grand and the gorgeous tiled courtyard, abutted by the equally nice tapas restaurant next door, prepares you for stunning rooms. — Lonely Planet

One of several grand 17th-century houses on the barranco over Río Tomebamba, the Victoria’s 23 impeccable hacienda-style rooms have exposed wooden beams, comfy beds and modern bathrooms. — Lonely Planet

We still like this converted colonial-era home with a remarkable chandelier in the central courtyard. — Lonely Planet

The colonial-style Hostal Macondo has spotless palatial rooms in the front, older section, and small but cozy rooms situated around a big, sunny garden out back. — Lonely Planet

‘Green Lime’ refers to the neon walls that make this little hostel almost blindingly vibrant. — Lonely Planet

In a restored colonial-style house, 10 rooms with hand-painted murals surround a central courtyard full of wood and iron. — Lonely Planet

The rooms are of a high standard (well, some low on light) with creaking wooden floors and reading lamps (four have river-facing terraces). — Lonely Planet

The modern octagon-shaped building offers small- and medium-size dorm rooms with good mattresses and plenty of space. — Lonely Planet

Some of the little extras are welcome cocktails, memory-foam mattresses, myriad cable TV channels, valet parking and three sumptuous-looking restaurants. — Lonely Planet

With a shared kitchen and comfy wood-floored rooms, this family-run hostal is a decent, centrally-located choice. — Lonely Planet

This yellow-and-blue B&B in a – you guessed it! – colonial-era house has comfortable rooms with cable TV and big beds. — Lonely Planet

It's true that Hotel Santa Lucia wows when you walk into the lovely interior courtyard, but the rooms – although very nice – won't take your breath away. — Lonely Planet

In a refurbished century-old home practically on top of the Church of San Francisco, the ‘Brotherhood of Monks’ B&B has high timbered ceilings and expansive views of the plaza and market below. — Lonely Planet

In this pretty, colonial-style hostal, sixteen comfortable, wood-floored rooms with modern bathrooms surround a peaceful inner courtyard complete with gurgling fountain. — Lonely Planet

In a pretty little creaky colonial building, this brand-new hostel is a bargain in central Cuenca. — Lonely Planet

With a colonial aesthetic and modern accountrements, this midrange spot makes a comfortable base for exploring Cuenca. — Lonely Planet

In a pretty, creaky little colonial building, this brand-new hostel is a bargain in central Cuenca. — Lonely Planet