Minka Hostel
Location: La Mariscal, Gustavo, G.Darquea OE2-24, Quito , Quito, ec
Star Rating: 8.9 Stars
Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
About this Property
Smart and Convenient Location
Minka Smart Hostel, the first intelligent and automated hostel in Ecuador, offers a comfortable stay in the heart of Quito. With essential amenities just steps away, including banks, markets, and public transportation, exploring the city is a breeze.
Comprehensive Services
Experience Ecuador to the fullest with our range of services, from airport transportation and tour bookings to Spanish classes and 24-hour security. Enjoy the convenience of free parking, high-speed WIFI, and a shared kitchen during your stay.
Personalized Assistance
Contact us in advance to ensure a seamless trip and late-night arrivals. Let us take care of the details, from coordinating your schedule to preparing a delicious dinner upon your arrival.
Book your stay at Minka Smart Hostel for a memorable and stress-free experience in Quito!
Important Information
* Guests must contact the property 12 hours after booking to confirm time of arrival or reservation will be canceled.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.
Policies
Check-in: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Check-out: 09:00 PM
Amenities & Facilities
- Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Luggage storage
- Express check-in/check-out
- Safety deposit box
- Tour desk
- Soundproof rooms
- Car hire
- Table tennis
- Darts
- Non-smoking throughout
- Private check-in/check-out
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Board games/puzzles
- Shuttle service (additional charge)
- Grocery deliveries
- Shared kitchen
- Evening entertainment
- Outdoor furniture
- Coffee Shop on site
- Fruits
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Physical distancing rules followed
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Contactless check-in/check-out
- Smoke alarms
- Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- Food delivered to guest room
- CCTV outside property
- Process in place to check health of guests
- Access to health care professionals
- Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
- 24-hour security
- Delivered food - securely covered
- Security alarm
- Thermometers for guests provided by property
- Mobile app for room service
- Broadcast Live sport events
- Pub crawls
- Cooking class
- Television in common areas
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Express check-in
- Billiards or pool table
- Free wired internet
- Snack bar/deli
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
- Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
- Internet access
- Games
- Housekeeping on request
- Japanese garden
- Covered parking
- Garage
- Bicycle-friendly property
- Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
- Accessible shuttle
- No accessible shuttle
- Accessible train station shuttle
- No accessible train station shuttle
Rooms Available
-
Family Room with Private Bathroom
Spacious Family room with private en-suite, street view and hot water 24 hours.
Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)
- Shower
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Sofa
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Shampoo
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
This bright dormitory room features a shared bathroom with 24-hour hot water.
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Shampoo
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Reading light
- Privacy curtain
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Double Room with Private Bathroom
Private Room with excellent view of the street and hot water 24 hours.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Sofa
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Sofa bed
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Budget Single Room
Triple room with excellent view of the street and the shared bathroom has hot water 24 hours a day.
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Deluxe Double Room
Spacious Private Room with excellent view of the street and hot water 24 hours a day.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Sofa
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Shampoo
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Double Room with Private Bathroom
Private Room in front of the living area and the shared bathroom has hot water 24 hours a day.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Quadruple Room with Bathroom
Private Room with excellent view of the street and the shared bathroom has hot water 24 hours a day.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Terrace
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Shampoo
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Hand sanitiser
-
Standard Single Room
The single room includes a private bathroom fitted with a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Toilet paper
-
Deluxe Suite
This suite includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. The unit has 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Shampoo
Guest Reviews
- DIMITRIOS MARIOS (10/5): -
- Daniel (10/5): - Muy agradable el lugar y muy amables
- Rodrigo (8/5): Muito bom. - A localização do hostal é boa, perto de estação de metrô, supermercados e do bairro que tem restaurantes e bares. Não há problemas com segurança. Os anfitriões são simpáticos e sempre estavam à disposição para ajudar e indicar os passeios e pontos turísticos, além da facilidade das informações e agendamento de passeios através do site do hostal. O sistema de reconhecimento facial que abre a porta de entrada do hostal, apesar de ser prático e trazer segurança para quem está hospedado, não estava funcionando bem. Por diversas vezes, tinha que acionar por telefone o anfitrião para pedir a abertura remota da porta.
- Pedro (8/5): - El lugar La parte de entrar esperar q abran la puerta
- Nathalie (8/5): Klein hostel met super lieve eigenaren! Voelde me gelijk veilig en super welkom!! - De eigenaren zijn superlief en behulpzaam. Kamer was heerlijk groot met een fijn bed en een reuze badkamer! Ze hielpen me echt last minute een toffe trip te boeken richting jungle en bleven ook steeds goed bereikbaar voor vragen. Locatie is dicht bij een metro die je in 3 haltes naar de oude stad brengt. Weinig daglicht en donkere keuken.
Niemand aanwezig bij de receptie.
- Jose Daniel (8/5): - El personal muy educado Falta tv en la habitación
- Matheus (5/5): Boa, mas - Camas muito gostosas e quentinhas Chuveiro não esquenta, estava muito gelado, falta de funcionários no hostel para tirar dúvidas.
- Black Dan (10/5): -
- Black Dan (10/5): -
- Sabina (5/5): - Die Zimmer waren schön und es gab fließend warmes Wasser. Danielo war jederzeit per WhatsApp erreichbar und hat bei Fragen zu Unternehmungen und Touren geholfen. Die Unterkunft war nicht besonders sauber. Die Küche und der Gemeinschaftsbereich sehr klein und leider unordentlich. Leider waren keine anderen Reisenden in dem Hostel, so dass ein Austausch unter Backpackern nicht möglich war.
Außerdem war das Personal des Hostels fast nie im Hosz, nur über WhatsApp erreichbar.
- Isabel (9/5): -
- Susana (8/5): - Nunca vimos a nadie del personal, todo fue virtual y siempre fue difícil que nos abrieran la puerta para entrar o salir
- Juliana Arias (9/5): Buena ubicación, lindas habitaciones - Una ubicación super centrica, cerca de la estación del metro, habitaciones confortables amplias y seguras. Puede mejorar la limpieza, una de las camas tenia una sábana con manchas, y tambien mejorar colocando una puerta o cortina en la ducha para evitar mojar el piso del baño, del resto todo bien.
- Louise (10/5): Very good stay! Amazing staff! - The staff was very nice, super helpful which was amazing as she gave us a lot of tips.
The room was spacious! The location is not the best
- Isabel (10/5): Exceptional - The hosts were amazing! They helped us so much with logistics in terms of our bikes and were always happy to help and office advice. Thank you so much! Would recommend this hostel.
- Santi (6/5): Pleasant - I never saw anyone at reception
Too much mold in the bathroom
- Baas (10/5): Great location, clean rooms, and nice people! - Great location, and still super quiet. The staff was super helpful in getting us to the airport super early in the morning.
- Malgorzata (10/5): Exceptional -
- Steve (9/5): Superb -
- Jesse (10/5): Loved. Definitely coming back there. - They have their own taxi!
Place was great. Good location.
- Kruti (8/5): Comfortable and homely stay - Alexandria and Danilo are very helpful and have created a tranquil homely environment at Minka Hostel. Danilo speaks good English and is quickly available via WhatsApp if you need any assistance. My room was clean, spacious and comfortable. I had a couple of issues with the shower drain and bedroom door lock, which Danilo fixed on the same day. He also helped me book a last-minute trip to Mindo, which I really enjoyed.
Big supermarket nearby too, which is handy. Kitchen space could have been kept better, some guests were making the sink dirty and clogged as well as leaving dirty dishes behind. So it would be good to have posters/signage reinforcing good hygiene manners in communal spaces.
- Lital (9/5): Superb - The room was very spacious and clean. The staff were very friendly and helpful with finding attractions and giving recommendations. It can get noisy sometimes from the outside. The mattress was a bit tough to my liking
- Saphir (10/5): Great hostel - great hosts - The hosts were amazing, Alexandra made us immediately feel at home. They even had a website with a lot of tips for travellers. We rented a double room which was extremely spacious with a giant bathroom and super big and comfortable bed.
- Svenja (9/5): Superb - The staff is amazing. Really friendly and helpful. The room was clean and quiet.
We booked breakfast, which was fresh and delicious (melon, toast, scrambled eggs, coffee).
- Jan (10/5): Great hostel with comfy beds and very helpful staff - The location is convenient. The hostel offers all kinds of helpful services for travelers. The staff, particularly Alexandra, was so nice and helped us get SIM cards. We will be back next time we’re in Quito!
- Jose (10/5): Exceptional -
- Ricarda (9/5): Superb - Very nice hostel in a good area of Quito. The bus to the historic center leaves in 1 minute walking distance. Market and Supermarket are just round the corner. We got an upgrade I guess as there were hardly any tourists when we were there. It was quiet at night, only in the morning some noise from the gas tank shop in front of the hostel. Very clean and spacious. Our bicycles where stored safely and the staff has many useful information about Quito and things to do around. The hostel has an attempt to be fully automatic, but in fact the camera to open the door doesn't always work great, so we had to wait a while sometimes to get in. Also when arriving we waited quite a while, but to admit we made a last minute reservation and didn't communicate the arrival time.
- Quentin (10/5): Exceptional -
- Quentin (10/5): Exceptional -
- Laurens (10/5): Exceptional -
- Sebastian (10/5): Perfect start for backpacking Ecuador - Everything calm and clean. Owner of hostel was himself a backpacker so he can give you good advice. Also he tried to help wherever he could, e.g with picking me up from the airport or a perfect organization of a Cuyabeno tour. His wife is super friendly as well and made a delicious breakfast. Thank you :) I just saw one other person when I stayed there, might not be your place if you want to make party.
- Scott (1/5): Bad - Not much. The shower had hot water and they have adequate wifi. Had to wait 2-3 minutes to be let in at 9:30pm. The street, Gustavo Darquea, felt very sketchy at night with the group of around 10 thuggish looking men that were staring me down at the end of the block. So I felt quite nervous standing waiting outside with my backpack. Nobody was there to greet me when I arrived. You have to talk to a remote person through the speaker and microphone. I was woken up by lots of noise and loud women talking in the staff kitchen at 8 am next to where the private room was. Bed sheets were stained with what appeared to be blood. Toilet leaked water on the floor. Not worth the price in my opinion, and definitely would not repeat.
- Anonymous (9/5): Convenient automated hostel in Quito - I stayed at Minka two separate times between my trip to the Galápagos Islands and really enjoyed it. Alexandra was very kind and helpful during both of my stays. Plus everything is automated in the hostel, and their website has great travel trips!
I stayed in the standard room and the double room during my separate trips and actually preferred the smaller standard room. Both were clean and organized, but the WiFi connection in the standard room upstairs was much more stable. WiFi was extremely spotty and sometimes nonexistent in the downstairs double room. Otherwise both the private room options were great. And I felt very secure with the luggage storage when I left Quito. WiFi spotty in some areas. Sometimes it was very noisy in the evening/morning in the downstairs double room.
- Ricardo (10/5): Exceptional - All great! Super recommended! The hosts are amazing and help you with a lot of nice tips!
- Johannes (8/5): Very good - Friendly hosts will help with everything
- Sven (7/5): Good -
- Katja (9/5): Superb - A really nice hostel! Very friendly staff, who are more than happy to help with information on traveling through all of Ecuador. It is sometimes a bit quiet, which I enjoyed after the days in the busy capital. I would definitely come back!
- Sebastien (10/5): Incredible hostal in Quito - Very nice hostal in the center of Quito. Danilo, his wife and staff made our stay an incredible experience. Not only can they help you out with all your needs with an easy to navigate site and recommendations, they also cater to your every need. From the time we arrived early in morning where they made the room for us even though we were in advance to the misadventure we lived in the Teleferico where Danilo went out of his way to bring us back in the middle of the night. Thank you Danilo.
- Ademis (9/5): Awesome trip - This place is awesome! First, the owners are super kind and helpful they make you feel like you’re home. Anytime we had questions they were always there to help us and guide us. They helped us book a taxi from the airport and gave us information and a map of the city to help us get navigated. We booked one of the private rooms and it was great! The room was really spacious with a big bed. The bathroom was also big with warm water which was a plus. We loved how quiet the hostel was at night because sleep is important for us when traveling.
They also provided breakfast with coffee, juice, eggs and toast with ham and cheese. They provide tours if you want to go places and will give you information on where to go. The location is also SUPER SAFE. There’s a great market like a minute away with lots of fruits and medicinal things. Lots of restaurants in the area and Ubers are all super cheap. If you’re loving for a safe, welcoming place I would definitely stay here :)
- Alexis (9/5): Superb -
- Olivia (10/5): Exceptional - lovely owner, really easy stay and lovely breakfast thank you! also gives you loads of info on Quito (and other places!) like what to do etc
- Jaani (10/5): Absolute gem in Quito - I wish I had known about Minka Hostel earlier, when I first came to Quito. The second time in Quito I stayed here because of the location, which is a lot nicer and safer than the Old Town.
The owner clearly knows what a backpacker needs and wants, and it shows. Minka has very comfortable beds, they have a curtain, electric sockets and light, and the lockers are big enough to hold a large bag. The room was also warmer than some of the other hostels in quito. The common area is comfortable, the kitchen is spacious and the breakfast was enough. Bonus points for the Minka homepage which has plenty of information about Quito and a food delivery app for the hostel.
One of the best places I stayed in South America in 6 months.
Go there. Perfect for a backpacker.
- Kabilan (10/5): Exceptional -
- Dimitri13 (10/5): Exceptional - Danilo is the perfect host, he goes the extra mile to make the Ecuador travel as smooth as possible for his guests. Sometimes it's a bit chill in the dorms, but it seems common practice in Quito not to have a heating.
- David (10/5): One of the best hostels we've ever stayed in - Super nice and helpful staff that went above and beyond with support and recommendations! Amazing breakfast that was a bit different each day, spacious room with a huge bathroom, clean facilities and comfortable beds. We felt totally secure here and would have loved to stay longer. It's definitely not a party hostel but a place to chill and sleep well after a full day of exploring Quito, almost felt like visiting friends. If we're ever back in Quito, we'll be back at Minka hostel! There is almost nothing to say here, only a super minor thing: the bathroom didn't have a shower curtain, so the floor was full of water after every shower.
- Jamie (10/5): Exceptional -
- Claudia (10/5): Exceptional - The staff is amazing and really helps with everything when organizing the movement in loco, they spear no suggestion and direct you in the best way possible.
The bedroom are nice and matrasses comfortable.
It's good to have a kitchen because it helps save some money. It is pretty well organize, small but has everything you need (plus you have a lot of random things left by past guests that you can use).
Breakfast was play, a but of fried plantain and eggs. Nothing special but it's nice to wake up to some already prepared food.
Good location. I would say that it is right in the middle of the city so you can easily walk to the old Town but also to the botanical garden.
- Francesco (9/5): Superb -
- Hillary (10/5): Exceptional - This was the first place we stayed on our South America trip so we were a little bit nervous, but the owner was so helpful and gave us lots of advice for Quito as well as other places in South America! the room, showers, bathroom, wifi etc was great
- Dylan (7/5): Good -
- Dylan (6/5): Pleasant -
- James (7/5): Good - The property, room and facilities have everything you need in a hostel The owner was helpful but condescending. The location is not a safe area at night (although most of Quito is not safe at night)
- Eldigiyogi (10/5): Great hosts for your stay in Quito - Relaxed, never too packed, but always has a friendly face around. The facilities were good and well upkept. Would definitely recommend for first time Quito travelers. Everything closes early nearby, it seemed that other rooms could have been used to spread the guests out more. The room we were in was always full, 2 other rooms next to us seemed empty for most of our stay, probably to save on needing to clean up multiple rooms, but it would have been nice to have a bit more space since not ontop of other guests.
- Tomas (9/5): Superb -
- Robert (10/5): Exceptional -
- Iliana (9/5): Price performance is very good! - The staff at Minka was very helpful and friendly.
The breakfast was delicious and every day somethingelse A lot of the time the restroom had‘t any toiletpaper.
It is a bit noisy.
- Paul (8/5): Good value in oldtown Quito - Good bed and kitchen. Dorm and toilet area were open to the common area so not much privacy.
- Ryan (10/5): Exceptional - very clean, helpful staff, excellent wifi
- Thomas (9/5): Superb -
Photos