Santa Lucia House - Forum
Presidente Borrero 10-91 Mariscal Lamar, Cuenca Ecuador
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Avg. C$84 /night, 3/20 - 3/21
C$99
per night
C$86
per night
C$73
per night
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About
#4 of 76 hotels in Cuenca
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Our hotel is located in a recently restored heritage building in the historic center of Cuenca. We offer 12 elegant guest rooms that invite you to enjoy your stay in Cuenca in a traditional environment at the most comfortable level. Each room has a private bath with modern installations. The Forum Hotel charm comes from the conservation of the original elements of the building. Those elements are mainly the two courtyards, adobe walls, wooden balconies and wrought iron elements, and traditional tiling. A classic living room with hand painted ceiling round up the picture, which recalls the old times. The guest rooms are more modern, inviting our guests to feel at home. Committed to preserving the environment, we use LED technology lighting, which significantly reduces our energy consumption.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Airport transportation
Baggage storage
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Breakfast available
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Umbrella
Laundry service
Ironing service
Housekeeping
Room service
Safe
Telephone
Cable / satellite TV
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Bottled water
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Presidente Borrero 10-91 Mariscal Lamar, Cuenca Ecuador
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 97 out of 100
97
Cuenca Airport
3.9 km•
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Detailed Reviews
Friendly service in a unique building. Our room was small, but had adequate hooks and closet space so that it didn't feel cluttered. The only window was to the inner courtyard space which meant we kept the curtains closed for privacy so it was fairly dark. Nice hot shower. The lock on our door was marginal, but reception is manned 24/7 and the front door is always locked so we felt secure. Breakfast was fresh bread, juice, fruit, eggs and coffee, tea or chocolate. We were in easy walking distance of the central historic district and we felt safe walking at night.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from Bárbara Calanche, Propietario at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Sep 25, 2024
Thanks for sharing your experience. It was a pleasure serving you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a boutique hotel with character located in a beautiful and quiet area of central Cuence . It is two blocks away from the Centre with majestic cathedral, Calderon park and a myriad of restaurants , coffee shops and snacks to suit all budgets . It is also very close to the famous Tomebamba river with a cool water front and lush greenery on both banks of the river .
The breakfast is doable and can be tweaked to order if necessary . If you are looking for a substantial buffet with endless variety this hotel is not for you . I have visited this hotel three times this year and spend a month or so in total and looking forward to my next trip .
On the top of that the quality of all staff without exception is very high. They are well mannered , cultured, educated, genuine , very helpful with a good command of the English language . I highly recommend this hotel as arguably the best in Cuenca and I have stayed in hotels in the vicinity at twice and three times the price .
The breakfast is doable and can be tweaked to order if necessary . If you are looking for a substantial buffet with endless variety this hotel is not for you . I have visited this hotel three times this year and spend a month or so in total and looking forward to my next trip .
On the top of that the quality of all staff without exception is very high. They are well mannered , cultured, educated, genuine , very helpful with a good command of the English language . I highly recommend this hotel as arguably the best in Cuenca and I have stayed in hotels in the vicinity at twice and three times the price .
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Bárbara Calanche, Propietario at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Apr 19, 2024
Thank you for letting us know that your stay was wonderful. For the Santa Lucia House team, it was a pleasure. We hope that you come back soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This charming boutique hotel is conveniently located near central Cuenca and both looks and feels like it would not be out of place in Europe. The interior is old but not aged or worn, and the creaky wooden floors, exposed beams, and expansive central atrium combine to give this hotel a certain venerable, sophisticated character.
Our room was, on the whole, quite nice, although there were drawbacks to speak of. We stayed in a room with a loft, with one queen bed downstairs and two twins upstairs. Although four people can sleep in this room category, it does not seem to have been designed for more than two people to actually live in, as the storage was extremely minimal and the bathroom had a single vanity and resembled a latrine in a cruise ship stateroom. Like the rest of the hotel, our lodging was tastefully decorated, and the balcony was a welcome amenity. However, there was no climate control to speak of, so those who are averse to cold may need an extra blanket, on account of the Cuencan climate. Additionally, the street outside can get noisy, so maybe pack a white noise maker.
We ate dinner at the restaurant once and it was pretty good, although the included breakfast was rather lacking in variety or options (but the quality was acceptable).
As this is a boutique hotel, do not expect amenities like a pool or fitness center.
In sum, Hotel Santa Lucia is a strong option in Cuenca, and its design and decoration lend it a certain character that the more modern chain hotels lack. Its boutique nature means it can be a little rough around the edges at times, but as a base for exploring the city, it performs admirably and I would visit again.
Our room was, on the whole, quite nice, although there were drawbacks to speak of. We stayed in a room with a loft, with one queen bed downstairs and two twins upstairs. Although four people can sleep in this room category, it does not seem to have been designed for more than two people to actually live in, as the storage was extremely minimal and the bathroom had a single vanity and resembled a latrine in a cruise ship stateroom. Like the rest of the hotel, our lodging was tastefully decorated, and the balcony was a welcome amenity. However, there was no climate control to speak of, so those who are averse to cold may need an extra blanket, on account of the Cuencan climate. Additionally, the street outside can get noisy, so maybe pack a white noise maker.
We ate dinner at the restaurant once and it was pretty good, although the included breakfast was rather lacking in variety or options (but the quality was acceptable).
As this is a boutique hotel, do not expect amenities like a pool or fitness center.
In sum, Hotel Santa Lucia is a strong option in Cuenca, and its design and decoration lend it a certain character that the more modern chain hotels lack. Its boutique nature means it can be a little rough around the edges at times, but as a base for exploring the city, it performs admirably and I would visit again.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Bárbara Calanche, Propietario at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Jul 4, 2022
We thank you for your opinion, it is very pleasing for us to know it. We find each of the details mentioned very interesting, in this way we improve both the staff and the service we offer, I hope to have you back again and continue improving your experience. Greetings.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed in this SantaLucia hotel and also other SantaLucia Boutiq hotel 3 nights 13-16.8-2024, it was meant to stay whole time in this SL Forum hotel, but they offered so tiny room that it was not possible stay inthere 3 nights. We asked to change and they offered one night in this hotel and 2 nights in their other hotel SL Boutiq, which we accepted. They didn't tell us that there will be totally different charging of rooms, we thought that it is possible for free of small extra fee. However they charged us still 3 nights in SL Forum and 2 nights in SL Boutiq hotel, so we paid for 5 nights charge of 3 nights stay. Both hotels walls was very thin and all noise from lobby and restaurants was heard in room until long time at evening c. 22.30 also from outside came loud noise of cars and people to rooms.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Bárbara Calanche, Propietario at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Aug 31, 2024
Dear Jouko We are very sorry about this situation. When you asked for a change, we told you that you had to pay the full value there, not an adjustment, because your payment on the forum was online and that is not refundable. Thanks for telling us how was your stay. It was a pleasure!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
We selected the Hotel Santa Lucia Boutique and we don't know if booking changed our hotel or the same hotel and they accommodated us at the Santa Lucia Forum which is 4 blocks from the one we booked. We arrived tired at the boutique and at that moment at the reception we entered They changed our hotel and when we arrived at the other Forum hotel they told us that we did not have parking there, but in the other boutique hotel from which we came first, quite a relaxation, we had to walk down at that time of night. We wanted to cancel but the penalty they charge you is super high, it is an eight of another full night (and it is not economical) what I recommend first is that you never put a credit card in booking until you are sure of the place, or honestly I think that an Airbnb is cheaper and more comfortable and there are no surprises about the place
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I questioned the hotel before reserving about WiFI, and they assured me it was very good. However, when I arrived, I was given a room on the 3rd floor, and the internet was horrible.
I contended with it for a couple days until it became unbearable. When I let the front desk know it wasn't working, they quickly and graciously offered me a room on ground floor, where the WIFI was superb. So, a word of warning: if WIFI is important to you, request a ground floor room.
One other negative was the lighting. Both rooms I had used small in-built lights in the ceiling, and for my eyes, the lighting was not adequate. In fact, it was enough of a negative, that I would hesitate to stay here again, even considering all the positives of the staff.
But to the positives: The rooms were spotlessly clean, with very nicely appointed bathrooms. Included breakfasts were tasty, fresh, and very adequate.
Positives:
Staff
Cleanliness
Ambiance
Food
Negatives:
Inadequate WIFI on higher floors
Rooms not sufficiently lit
I contended with it for a couple days until it became unbearable. When I let the front desk know it wasn't working, they quickly and graciously offered me a room on ground floor, where the WIFI was superb. So, a word of warning: if WIFI is important to you, request a ground floor room.
One other negative was the lighting. Both rooms I had used small in-built lights in the ceiling, and for my eyes, the lighting was not adequate. In fact, it was enough of a negative, that I would hesitate to stay here again, even considering all the positives of the staff.
But to the positives: The rooms were spotlessly clean, with very nicely appointed bathrooms. Included breakfasts were tasty, fresh, and very adequate.
Positives:
Staff
Cleanliness
Ambiance
Food
Negatives:
Inadequate WIFI on higher floors
Rooms not sufficiently lit
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Date of stay: December 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Get ground or first floor.
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 Bárbara Calanche, Dueño at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Dec 30, 2020
Dear guest, we appreciate your comments, they always help us to improve. Old houses have very thick walls and it is because of this that the internet loses connection. We will solve this as soon as possible and we hope to have you with us again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for 5 nights and had a wonderful experience with the staff. We were confused between this boutique location and the other hotel that is 3 blocks away; so make sure to share the exact address and not go based on hotel name. Breakfast was great and we enjoyed their wine bottles at the terrace (you can ask them to turn on the lights at night). They helped schedule the covid test at the hotel which was $45/person. They also provided assistance with printing out paperwork for our trip. Friendly and helpful staff. We hope to return in the future!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from Bárbara Calanche, Propietario at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Sep 5, 2021
Dear Mrs. Shirley, Receive a warm greeting from "Santa Lucia House Forum Hotel. It was an honor for us to have your presence in our Hotel and to have done everything possible to make your stay as pleasant as possible and that the service you received from us has fulfilled each of your expectations. Thank you for your excellent comments, they motivate us to move forward. We hope you visit us very soon. Remember that the Hotel Forum will always be your home in Cuenca. Best Regards, Forum Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A great hotel, made even better by the wonderful staff! In an older building with beautiful hardwoods, tile, and a traditional feel, we found our room to be well-appointed with all the latest conveniences, right in the heart of Cuenca. While the floors in the public spaces squeak in places, there can be.some street noise, and the WiFi can be a little slow, we found Santa Lucia House - Forum had everything we needed and more. The best part was the wonderful staff who were always went out of their way to be kind and helpful (especially Dominica and Darwin). The breakfast was more than we needed (and comes with second helpings if you want). We considered more expensive places but, in the end, we had our best stay for a very reasonable price here. We liked it so much that we initially booked for four nights but ended up staying for seven. We look forward to returning!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from Bárbara Calanche, Propietario at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Jul 2, 2023
Dear guests. We are very grateful for taking the time to provide your feedback. We love to give you the best of us because we want your visit to our city to be unforgettable. Best whishes for both!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel location is so convenient, safe, and within minutes of beautiful downtown Cuenca. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. The breakfast was very good with fresh fruit, eggs, bread, yogurt, fresh juice, and coffee. The room was small but cozy and comfortable for two people. We felt the room could use more hooks or places to hang things in such a small place but that was the only issue we found. We would definitely return in the future.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Parking is scarce as the hotel does not provide and is located on a small busy street. Public...
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 Barbara Calanche, Guest Services / Front Office at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Jul 22, 2022
Thank you for your valuable comments! It fills us with joy to know that you enjoyed a pleasant stay with us. We will take your comments into account to improve our services.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is beautifully restored, while still maintaining the charm of an older building. It is in a prime location in the middle of the historic center, and easy walking distance to a number of points of interest. The free breakfasts were great, with high quality fresh fruits and juices being the standouts.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: There is another hotel Santa Lucia a couple of block away (affiliated), so look for the word forum.
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 Barbara Calanche, Guest Services / Front Office at Santa Lucia House - Forum
Responded Oct 1, 2022
Thank you very much for taking your time and letting us know your experience with us. We are glad that you had a good time during your stay. We are looking forward to serve and assist you in a next opportunity.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you contact the hotel in advance they will arrange for airport pickup.
Dear Carmen,
As our hotel is within a historic building and only has 2 floors, we do not have an elevator.
Having said this, we do have 2 Economic and one Superior room on the ground level.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Best regards
Thomas
Tenemos un convenio con un parqueadero publico a 200 metros del hotel en la misma calle (Borrero) en la cuadra 12. Ellos cobran a nuestros huéspedes 6 USD por día y 3 USD por noche o 0,60 USD por hora para tiempos más cortas.
Saludos
Thomas Klatte
DebG2012 asked a question Jul 2015
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States23 contributions22 helpful votesWe will be staying at the Forum for 9 days beginning next week. Does the junior suite have
a window to the outside?
Looking forward to our stay
Hi, to the best of my knowledge all rooms face in as both sides are surrounded by buildings. Only the front of the building faces the street, and i am not sure if there are rooms facing the street.
Its a very elegant building, renovated by a talented European owner..
Good afternoon,
I am not sure I understand your question. What did you send?
Best regards
Thomas
"Unless you are an early riser, ask for a room that does not face the street. Traffic is noisy and starts early in the morning. "Read full review
"Save bag space. Ask the staff about the Tia Supermarket or how to get to the Supermaxi south of the hotel for essentials."Read full review
"There is another hotel Santa Lucia a couple of block away (affiliated), so look for the word forum."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
C$57 - C$102 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Forum Hotel
LOCATION
EcuadorAzuay ProvinceCuenca
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Lucia House - Forum
Which popular attractions are close to Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Nearby attractions include La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Cuenca (0.4 km), Plaza Abdon Calderon (0.3 km), and Museo Catedral Vieja (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Yes, free private parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sofy Glocal Cuisine, Orion Bar & Restaurant, and El Confesionario.
Does Santa Lucia House - Forum have airport transportation?
Yes, Santa Lucia House - Forum offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Santa Lucia House - Forum?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Santa Lucia House - Forum?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Museo Catedral Vieja (0.3 km), Plaza de las flores (0.4 km), and The Ruins of Todos Los Santos (0.8 km).
Is Santa Lucia House - Forum accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.