Hacienda La Danesa

These generous living spaces take their inspiration from the original stables that stood here, with wooden beams and a rustic but elegant aesthetic. Featuring either king or twin beds the restored stables are suitable for couples or families with one child.

The Restored Stables have a private courtyard, furnished with handmade teak furniture from local artisans. The bathroom features a luxurious marble shower with a field view, while al-fresco bathing in the private garden is also possible. There is an excellent entertainment system as well as WiFi access and extras such as binoculars, a bird-watching guide, a minibar and yoga mats. Wander the garden to pick tropical fruits and wake up to fresh juices and coffee delivered each morning.

These two delightful bedrooms are situated in the farmhouse and have private entrances through the garden. Either a king-sized bed or two single beds can be provided. The farmhouse’s rustic style incorporates handmade teak furniture and earthy tones with natural linens, demonstrating a streak of Ecuadorian flavour.

There is an excellent entertainment system as well as WiFi access and extras such as binoculars, a bird-watching guide, a minibar and yoga mats. Wake up to fresh juices and coffee delivered each morning.

The spacious Garden Cottage has been respectfully restored with modish touches that hint at the traditional aesthetic of the cottage, with a king-sized bed and 70 square metres of floor space. A beautiful garden tunnel leads through the organic garden to a private entrance. This is a romantic and intimate retreat, built from restored teak and river stones.

The bathroom features twin vanities, a private restroom and two rainfall showers. There is an excellent entertainment system as well as WiFi access and extras such as binoculars, a bird-watching guide, veranda chairs, a minibar and yoga mats. Wander the garden to pick tropical fruits and wake up to fresh juices and coffee delivered each morning.

The Family Garden Cottage is the ideal stay for small groups and families. With 100 square metres of space and two bedrooms, the cottage creates an oasis of tranquillity and privacy. There is a king-sized bed and two twin beds.

The cottage enjoys a private veranda overlooking the lush gardens – the perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful morning coffee or toast the sunset. Inside, an open plan living space has a comfortable lounge area and small kitchen as well as high ceilings.

There is an excellent entertainment system as well as WiFi access and extras such as binoculars, a bird-watching guide, a private hammock, a coffee machine, a minibar and yoga mats. Wander the garden to pick tropical fruits and wake up to fresh juices and coffee delivered each morning.

Dining at the Teak Terrace is a truly localised experience, allowing guests to enjoy the flavours of organic Ecuadorian produce, either from the hacienda’s own garden or the nearby community market. The skilled head chef crafts exquisite dishes with a national influence, using tropical fruits and fresh vegetables.

The emphasis is on a farm to food ethos in a rustic and beautiful setting. Meals have three courses and guests’ dietary needs are catered for. Private dining can be arranged during the booking process.

The following activities are included in your stay, aiming to give guests a flavour of life on the hacienda and of local traditions:

• Bike rides
• Wet tubing in lazy rivers
• Cacao experience and plantation tour
• Milking in the gardens
• Hikes
• Product tasting – the hacienda makes its own chocolate, dulce de leche and jams

This 1.5 – 2 hour experience involves getting to know the hacienda’s quarter pinto horses – a breed well known for sprinting at short distances. After saddling up, it’s off on a trail for a ride! There are different routes to cater to individuals of all levels. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery sweeping by, or trek through plantations and rivers, spotting the tropical birds and flowers along the way. Cap off your ride with freshly squeezed lemonade.

Unwind and banish stress with a spa treatment from the comfort of your room. The massage therapists are experienced and highly skilled. This is available in all rooms except for Heritage Bedrooms.

Be taken under the wing of Hacienda La Danesa’s chocolatier and learn to make incredible Ecuadorian chocolate from scratch! The hacienda provides the equipment and ingredients. The experience begins with a short walk among the cacao plantation and an introduction to the chocolate industry. Then it’s time to begin the process back at the farmhouse, including tempering the chocolate, crafting it into bars or bark and making a ganache filling.

While you wait for the chocolate to cool, hot chocolate will be served and then guests can enjoy the delicious chocolate you’ve just made or wrap it up to take home. This experience usually lasts 2 – 3 hours.

Join the chef for a tour of the farmer’s market in Naranjito, followed by a hands-on cooking class back at the hacienda! Meet local farmers and learn how to shop for the best produce. Then, learn how to prepare the ingredients you’ve just bought as well as several practical kitchen skills while enjoying a glass of wine.

The workshop includes a knife skills lesson and also covers how to select, store, chop and cook with herbs; how to make a homemade vinaigrette with local citrus fruits; the art of a seasonal salad (without a recipe) and tips, tools and recipes for reducing food waste. This activity lasts 3 – 4 hours.

Hacienda La Danesa offers four variations of yoga sessions, with the aim of enriching guests’ stays and creating a lasting travel memory. The choices are:

• Hatha Yoga
• Vinyasa Yoga
• Ashtanga Yoga
• Bikram Yoga

Each session lasts two hours.

Spend an afternoon with a beekeeper learning all about these fascinating and important creatures. Suit up, light a bee smoker, and witness hundreds of thousands of the insects as they produce honey and their newborns emerge. Taste honey fresh from the hive and learn about how to help protect this vital species.

This activity lasts for approximately three hours and is unsuitable for visitors under the age of 16.

La Danesa implements strict policies to create employment in local communities and source local produce. The Hacienda has an ethos of using sustainable tourism to improve the living standards of local people.

When staying at Hacienda La Danesa, the emphasis is on enjoying what surrounds you – activities like tubing and horse riding in the beautiful environment, creating food with local means and even from scratch in the case of the milk, cheese, chocolate and honey that the farm produces.

There is the hope that guests will gain an appreciation for the satisfaction and simplicity of living sustainably, as well as learn about the importance of the natural environment from spending time with the bees.