We stayed here for one month and if we found ourselves in Cuenca again, would not hesitate to return. The location by the river is great, with some nice seating areas. It isn't right in the downtown area, but we enjoyed the walk along the river, and taxi's are cheap and plentiful if you'd prefer that. We had the unit right on the river which was nice, and also had a kitchen so we could cook. The wifi worked most of the time from the room, but there was better coverage from the sitting area in the courtyard. This is very typical of what we experienced in other places in Ecuador as well. They do have a washing machine/dryer onsite for a fee that we found convenient (though no hot water to the washer.) My only real complaint is that I'm one of those crazy people who like taking showers with water so hot it is almost burning. There was always hot water, but it does get chilly here so I would have liked it a bit hotter. That said, this wasn't really a problem, just more of a personal quirk, but something to be aware of if you are like me and really want to steam up the bathroom. lol The best part of our stay though was the staff. We didn't interact a whole lot with the family (though they were around and were very friendly). But both Sara and Angelita were above and beyond friendly and really went out of their way to be helpful at the slightest opportunity. We were both very touched by their kindness. And the two old dogs are just the sweetest. Definitely recommended, especially if you want to get away from the noise and traffic of the downtown.

My apartment was immaculate! The location is superb. Very quite, but within easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants of El Centro historical district. The best part is the hosts, Xavier and Samara are encyclopedias of hiking, climbing, canyoneering, and biking routes and activities around Southern and central Ecuador! For any visitor the location and beautiful setting is worth a stay. For the adventurous, tapping into the hosts knowledge is priceless!

We just completed a one month stay in a one bedroom apartment with a cost averaging less than $20 per day. The apartment was clean, and the daily housekeeping service kept it that way - they even did our breakfast dishes for us! The owner (Xavier) and his wife were very helpful, answering our questions and providing us with directions and tips abut the area. When we first arrived I think most all the units were occupied by people from the US and Canada. The neighbors were very helpful in getting us settled and providing us with recommendations. We were fortunate and had some very delightful people as our neighbors, and now longer term friends. Toward the end of our stay perhaps one-third of the units were occupied by Ecuadorians on holiday, and everyone was very friendly. The location is very good, about a 15-25 minute walk along Rio TomeBamba into El Central depending upon how fast you walk and the route taken. Our unit backed up on the RioTomeBamba, which I believe is quieter than the units in front along 12 de Abril. The beds were comfortable and they provided enough blankets that kept us more than toasty on a few cold nights. The kitchen supplies were basic. We picked up a few items at the Mercado or Supermaxi to make it easier for preparing meals, but there is enough provided to get by. The towels were ok, not JW Marriott quality, but we weren't paying Marriott prices. There was a small TV in the apartment which had stations with shows in both English and Spanish, Wi-fi is included but it can be slow if the bandwidth is being hit by a bunch of people - same as any hotel. Hot water was ok after we learned what to expect and some of the nuances; hot water was the right handle in the kitchen and shower, and the left handle in the bathroom sink. Tankless hot water heaters are more flow-sensitive than the tanks so common in the US, and flow volume could change depending upon how many units were up and showering.