La CasaBlanca

La CasaBlanca

Aeropuerto Dos, Ishpingo y Churiyuyo, Tena 150150 Ecuador
Traveler (31)
Dining (3)
Room #2
Room & Suite (2)

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About

5.0
#1 of 1 B&B in Tena
Location
4.3
Rooms
4.8
Value
4.9
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
4.9
Sleep Quality
4.8
We are people people, a US emergency room nurse and an Ecuadorian guide, teamed up and turned HOTEL OWNERS and TOUR PROVIDERS in the Amazon. What does this mean for you? Comfort in the jungle and quality tours! The hotel reflects what we wanted for ourselves and experienced in other places around the world. The rooms are clean and spacious, 150 sq ft (14 sq m) or greater. The showers are hot and the water is purified throughout (you can brush your teeth with our water!) There are screens on the windows and fans in every room. There’s a big common kitchen to cook your own food in or just be able to hang out in. That in combination with a helping hand to get you up to speed on the area will smooth your transition to maximize the time you have here in this little corner of the world. Come see us!, Gary Garces and Michelle Klein We have 6 private rooms, all have at least a double bed. One also has a single bed, one also has a bunkbed, and one is 310 sq ft with 5 beds and a huge bathroom!b
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Property amenities
Free parking
Street parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Breakfast available
Non-smoking hotel
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Housekeeping
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
114Reviews2Q+A17Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
Emily K wrote a review Oct 2016
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Casa Blanca feels like a home away from home. Michelle and Gary are incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable and accommodating. The hotel is always very clean and everything just works like it should. This is the perfect place to recharge after a few weeks of bumping through hostels or use as a home base to explore the beauty of the Amazon forests. The fully filtered water means that you never have to worry about accidentally swallowing a mouthful; the washer and dryer, the full kitchen and Michelle and Gary's generosity mean that you will never want for anything while you are here. The quiet location and the sturdy doors means a good night's sleep every night of the week. As a Ph.D. student working in communities around Tena for three to four months at a time, I couldn't have asked for a better place to call my temporary home in Ecuador. Also, this hotel/hostel seems to attract the nicest and most adventurous people so when it's full, it's even more fun to share stories, coordinate tours (which makes them cheaper too!) and play games with travelers from around the world!
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Date of stay: September 2016
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea P wrote a review Jul 2016
Lafayette, Colorado
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Michelle and Gary run La Casa Blanca in Tena. They make a good team. Michelle is very organized and can give you all sorts of recommendations about restaurants, places to go, and things to do. Gary is a native Ecuadorian and is a tour guide. He knows so much about the rainforest animals and plants. He speaks English very well and has a great sense of humor. We went on the overnight stay in the rainforest with Gary as our guide- we were searching for a good rainforest experience and he knew lots!
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Date of stay: July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle K, Owner at La CasaBlanca
Responded Jul 16, 2016
Hi Andrea, Thanks for coming and thanks for taking the time to put in a great thumbs up! Michelle and Gary
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sylvia937 wrote a review Jun 2016
Dayton, Ohio
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We are so thankful we came across this location! It fulfilled our every need and Michelle and Gary went out of their way to provide us fantastic memories. Michelle was very responsive to all our questions and helped arrange private transports for us to and from Tena. They made us feel most welcome in their beautiful home and we appreciated all the nice amenities. The washer and dryer really came in handy after our overnight jungle trip!

Gary's overnight jungle tour was extremely interesting. We really enjoyed all the new experiences and he provides a great variety of activities. We especially enjoyed feeding the monkeys, experiencing the chocolate/chicha processes, the butterfly farm and endangered zoo. The lodge we stayed in overnight was lovely and peaceful, perched high above the river. The food was great and well presented.

A huge thumbs up to La CasaBlanca and their wonderful hospitality and services!
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Date of stay: May 2016
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Koshala W wrote a review Aug 2013
Salinas, Ecuador
1.0 of 5 bubbles
I registered for 2 rooms back in June 2013 for September 2013 and asked Michelle (owner) to book rooms at Maria's Homestay (Tambuco) and the car service for the trip to and from Quito for our visit To Tena. This was a service La CasaBlanca offered to provide to all their customers on their website! I immediately received a return email requesting $50 cash deposit for the rooms, which I immediately sent. In August, when I contacted Michelle, wondering why I had not received any specifics on reservations for her hotel, Maria's Homestay, or the car service, (like I had from all the other hotels I was staying at during my travel my lengthy trip), I was told that my reservations at Maria's Homestay had fallen through the cracks. She said she had not even thought about making the car reservations yet! Michelle was quick to blame Maria's husband for having caused the problem. I was then told I could stay in Maria's daughter's room, but would have to go minus any closet space! When I expressed my frustration ( I was very business like, nothing ugly) Michelle proceeded to cancel my reservation at La CasaBlanca, expressing she did not feel we would be a welcome "fit" to her hotel! This was 2 days prior to the start of my lengthy SA trip!

I strongly feel it was outrageously unprofessional of Michelle to handle a customer in this manner. People make mistakes and if she had simple apologized and worked with us to accommodate our needs (find new accommodations - not the daughter's room), everything would have been fine. People like her do not belong in the business of dealing with the public. Be warned, walk on egg shells when dealing with La Casablanca. Who knows if your plans are going to be yanked on you at the last minute! It is NOT being run like a hotel, more like a personal residence where only people who please Michelle get to stay!
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle K, Owner at La CasaBlanca
Responded Aug 31, 2013
Hi all, Well I can't say I wasn't expecting an ugly review from this almost guest. Maria and Fernando had an opportunity to host a number of students for a whole month at their homestay and this guest and her traveling companion, staying for 1 night in two separate rooms got bumped. To me this was understandable. We came up with a solution but a slew of ugly emails from this almost guest followed. I did apologize, at first. Finally, after checking availability and rates at an equally great hotel in Tena, I canceled her reservation (a full month before her stay here) and sent her links to a nice place with equal rates and availability for the days she was to stay here and to another tour agency. I did tell her I did not think she would fit in here at the CasaBlanca, and I still feel that way. Anyone who has been here knows that you do not need to walk on eggshells around us here, quite the opposite, but I do expect a certain level of respect. Up until now, that has not ever been an issue. We get the most incredible people coming through our place, I really don't know how we have been so lucky. About the car service, Auto Express does not make reservations 3 months or even 1 month in advance. We call them a few days to a week ahead of time and then end up only getting final confirmation the day before and even then sometimes those rides get postponed. That's just how their car service works. It's inexpensive, a regular taxi from Quito to Tena costs around $150 as opposed to $20 a person. A private taxi with them costs $100 and may be booked reliably farther in advance. Hopefully you read reviews from our other great guests who have actually been here and experienced this home away from home we've worked so hard to create for you! Sincerely, Michelle
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KathyLTrvl wrote a review Jun 2016
Bedminster, New Jersey
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We loved our 2-night stay at CasaBlanca, close to town in Tena. The owners, Michelle and Gary, helped us with every aspect of our stay- including arranging rides, selecting restaurants and an amazing Jungle Tour with Gary. The filtered water and free wifi and use of washer/dryer were much appreciated too. We highly recommend staying with Michelle, Gary and their family!
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Date of stay: May 2016
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex B wrote a review May 2015
Atlanta, Georgia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Upon arriving at La Casa Blanca, we were a little wary of its location a little off the beaten path, however, we quickly figured out that we were in a good, safe part of town. Michelle and Gary were incredibly accommodating to foreigners by showing safe food spots, what to be cautious of, etc. The room was large and clean, and there was even purified water. Our favorite part of the trip was going on tours with Gary. He always made sure we were safe on our journeys but also made sure we were having a lot of fun. He grew up just outside of Tena, so he knows the area and the people very well. It has so far been our most favorite part of the trip to Ecuador. Quick disclaimer, we are three post college graduates who did not have a hard time with the physical fitness that his tour required. If you want an authentic, safe, and fun time, book a tour with Gary and stay safely at their hostel, La Casa Blanca
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Date of stay: May 2015
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert P wrote a review Sep 2014
Cleveland, Ohio
5.0 of 5 bubbles
the hotel was wonderful Michelle and Gary are absolutely the best hosts Michelle helped us before we even got there arranging transportatation to and from Quito she really helped us learn and understand some of the culture of Ecuador. The hotel is clean comfortable and has all the amenities you need including a laundry room the kitchen is fully stocked with all the pots and pans and utensils you need. We wanted to go on Gary's chocalate tour but were getting to Tena late and they held the tour about an hour and a half to wait for us and we are so glad they did the tour was fantastic the best chocalate you will ever have . Garys knowledge and wisdom of the land and terrain is just amazing he can tell you about every plant and animal you come across . We simply had a wonderful time and fell in love with Tena looking to be going back. Ama La Vida.
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Date of stay: September 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murphy C wrote a review Jun 2014
Lanham, Maryland
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The best decisions I have ever made. The trip was an excellent combination of adventure and tourism with a very homey experience. Let's skip the usual goodies of a good hotel such as the hotel was very charming, very clean, very quiet; the staff was very friendly etc and etc (and they are all true at La Casablanca anyway). What makes La Casablanca standing out is the hospitality of Gary and Michelle and their family. If you are reading this review, you will see most of people saying that Gary and Michelle went out of their way to help them and let me tell you that they are exactly right!
Michelle was incredibly helpful with information and help. She arranged for our pickup at the hotel in Quito (with 2/3 of the price that other offers) and when we arrived at her hotel, she was at the front door greeting us and when Gary came home that night, he talked with us like he had known us for years and offered us the chocolate he made that day.
I did one of Gary's Kayaking tours and it made my trip so memorable. I'm a blind person and when I asked Gary that If I could take the advanced kayaking trip that he offered, I thought he would hesitate but he didn't. It was raining hard the night before the activity and the water was high, but the amount of effort and safety check that Gary spent made me feel really secured and of course the high water made it extra fun!
I can spend another page talking about good things of the hotel but I guess you need to just go there to experience it yourself.
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Date of stay: May 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dgetahun wrote a review Jun 2014
Minneapolis, MN
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My wife and I stayed at CasaBlanca for two nights in May and found it to be a terrific base to explore the surrounding area. It is a taxi ride or ~20 minute walk from the north side of Tena, so probably not convenient if you need to be in town on a regular basis (including going out to eat - nothing is really close by other than a little store, but a great pizza place does deliver). But, if you are taking day trips in the area and are fine with ~$1 taxi rides or long walks, the location is no issue. The property is in a residential neighborhood on the other side of town from an old airport runway - it's probably worth taking a taxi to find it your first time (especially if you arrive to the central bus terminal), but after that you'll know the area well.

There are 5-6 rooms of varying sizes (each with its own bathroom), a huge kitchen and dining area, a common room and a (free to use) laundry room. The property is just a year old and everything is in excellent condition - new bathroom fixtures and tiling, new washer/dryer, new fridge, new everything. It all looks and feels really clean, especially compared to older hostels elsewhere in Ecuador. Amenities like filtered water (even from the tap) and $2 optional breakfast are nice bonuses. Know that it's not a full-service hotel (no TVs, no daily maid service, no on-site restaurant), but it's a comfortable and quiet place to get a good night's sleep.

At your service is Michelle, and American who primarily manages the business, and her husband Gary, who is native to Napo Province and leads daily tours around the area, both for CasaBlanca guests and other local tourists. Michelle and Gary live adjacent to CasaBlanca with their 3 young daughters, who you'll come to know well. Michelle goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable at CasaBlanca and in Tena, with tips on everything from where to eat to what to do to which ATM to use (also, visit the CasaBlanca for a handing packing tip sheet before you leave).

Our room was spacious and comfortable with nice touches like a hammock, bathroom shelving, adequate outlets in the room, screened windows and a powerful fan. The shower was outstanding and hot water was plentiful. A couple of bugs did find their way into the room, but it's pretty much impossible to avoid a mosquito or two on edge of the rainforest. The walls are pretty thin so noise does travel, but the whole place is pretty quiet by 9:00 PM, which is great if you've had a long day out (not so good if you're bored and looking to be entertained).

We took two awesome tours with Gary that I've reviewed in a different category, and it was really convenient to be able to pay for and arrange the details along with our room reservation.

You will not feel more at home anywhere else you stay in Tena, and we would definitely return to CasaBlanca if we had time to explore the area again. And if we had to stay elsewhere, we'd still stop by to visit and take a tour with Gary!
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Date of stay: May 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Room #2 is great for couples - 1 queen bed and a terrific bathroom and shared patio.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liam N wrote a review Jul 2013
5.0 of 5 bubbles
La casablanca is a good hostel/hote with really nice, helpful and friendly owners who make you feel really welcome. The facilities are very very good with purified water in all of the taps throughout the hotel and a very well equiped kitchen. The dorm room (I stayed in the 6 bed dorm) was clean and large with comfortable beds, a really good ensuite bathroom and large secure lockers.
Whilst the location isn't as centeral as some other hostels in tena it is still within a reasonable walking distance of the centre.
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Date of stay: July 2013
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Susan C asked a question Nov 2014
Strome1 helpful vote
how far is this from Quito?
Answer from Michelle K
Tena, Napo, Ecuador2 contributions
It depends if you are coming from Quito centro or from the airport, which is technically in Quito, but actually an hour away and how you are traveling. If you travel by private car, is it about 4 hours from say the Mariscal in Quito, if you are coming from the airport it is 3 hours. However, if you are traveling by bus, count on 5 to 6 hours on a bus from Quito center and you will need to take a taxi down to the round about on the main road going from Quito to Tena where you would pick up the bus coming here. From there it is about 4 hours on the bus. Flying here is a whole other issue and generally not worth the hassle. There are a couple of options if you want to come by taxi as opposed to going by bus. We can arrange a private taxi to pick you up at hotel near the airport for $100 or one to pick you up in Quito for $125. That would be for up to 4 people. You can also join a shared ride that a taxi shuttle company called Auto Express runs. They need at least 3 people before the shuttle is a go and do not confirm the trip until the evening prior. However, if you travel on a weekday, it is almost for sure a go. Anyway, if you go for that option, they leave Quito centro at about 5am and pass through Tumbaco at about 6am. (Tumbaco is down from the mesa where the airport is located. They won't go all the way up to the airport on shared rides, so we have a very nice homestay in Tumbaco that we can set you up at.). It is a door to door service, so they will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at ours. The charge is $20 plus $5 per large bag. You can go back the same way, leaving Tena at 3:30 - 4pm or sometimes at 6am if enough people want to go. It does take longer than a regular private car because they spend time going around picking everyone up and then going around dropping everyone off, it depends where you are in that scenario and how many people are in the car or van. If you leave from Tumbaco, you will be the last picked up and due to our location, probably the first dropped off.
Answer from Michelle K
Tena, Napo, Ecuador2 contributions
Hi, you can find our website at the top left of our TripAdvisor page. If you go to the rooms page, you'll see all of our prices. You can email me for availability or use the booking engine (the red button at the top right of every page on our website. But the short version is: 1 person in a private room is $25 per night, 2 for $40, 3 for $50, and one room has a bunkbed and double bed, 4 in that room is $60. Our shared dorm has 6 beds. You can rent a bed and a locker in there for $12 a person per night. We also offer tours. Let me know if I can be of further help! Michelle
Carolyn E wrote a tip Nov 2017
15 contributions2 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"ask for one with a balcony/patio!"
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Nicole O wrote a tip Mar 2016
Madison, Wisconsin5 contributions2 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"All rooms are on the same floor."
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Jen K wrote a tip Sep 2015
Englewood, Florida23 contributions39 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"All seemed great"
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Alex A wrote a tip May 2015
Miami Beach, Florida12 contributions4 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"cleanliness, friendly"
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darwin31 wrote a tip Mar 2015
Kalamazoo, Michigan50 contributions31 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"As far as I could tell, the rooms were equally nice. I think that there was a dorm room as well."
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LOCATION
EcuadorNapo ProvinceTena
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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LA CASABLANCA

Frequently Asked Questions about La CasaBlanca
Which popular attractions are close to La CasaBlanca?
Nearby attractions include Centro Ecoturismo Comunitario Kamak Maki (1.0 miles), Finca Tamia Yura (1.3 miles), and Tena Observation Deck (0.8 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at La CasaBlanca?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and self serve laundry.
What food & drink options are available at La CasaBlanca?
Guests can enjoy breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at La CasaBlanca?
Yes, free parking and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to La CasaBlanca?
Conveniently located restaurants include Cafe Tortuga, Bunker593, and El Vagabundo.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at La CasaBlanca?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Is La CasaBlanca accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
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