Hacienda Uzhupud

Our last two nights in Ecuador were spent in this beautiful hacienda in Paute, about 45 minutes outside of Cuenca. Top shelf service! From the moment we were picked up by our driver, Christopher we were treated like royalty. Christopher was attentive to our needs and pointed out many places of interest along the way as well as giving us some history of the area. Fernando, the rooms division manager was/is maravilloso! He is impeccable in his attention to the customers needs and even called our cable company in Quito for us to make sure we had discontinued service as we are leaving Ecuador.

It turns out we had the place to ourselves since last weekend was a holiday weekend and they were packed. The food is delicious, fresh and mostly organic as they have gardens on the premises. The customer service is outstanding! The staff has catered to visitors from around the world and it shows in their prompt attention to your comfort without being cloying. The superior rooms speak of days gone by yet they are updated for modern convenience. Plenty of hot water, gorgeous patios, pools, Turkish baths, massage rooms and two restaurants. A charming fireplace in the original part of the home is surrounded by comfy couches and a bar nearby where you can drink warm canelazo to take the chill off even more. Or sip your drink of choice as you sit on the veranda overlooking the original entrance of the Hacienda overlooking the Rio Paute.

Fernando gave us a tour of the grounds and told us the history of the Hacienda which dates back to the 1790’s. It was a sugar cane plantation and rum distillery. There is also a salon that invokes old Spain and houses beautiful antiques and tapestries from the original home and can be used for meetings, weddings and the like. A lovely pond for paddle boating and horse back riding is included in your room rate. If you EVER get to Uzhupud/Paute you won’t be disappointed by this elegant historic inn from another era.

Beautiful lemon trees grace the grounds of the Hacienda

Love these lemons!

When the Paute flooded several years ago this tree grew like this, it was seeking light.

Grounds of the Hacienda

Several species of trees that are not indigenous to Ecuador were brought here by the original owners in the late 1700’s.

This basin was used for boiling sugarcane at the Hacienda’s plantation.

Artifacts from the original planatation

More artifacts from the original plantation

A view of the Rio Paute

The four rivers of Cuenca and another river converge to form the Rio Paute

We visited La Casa de las  Makanas in Bulcay near Gualaceo to see them weave macana. These urns contain plants, nuts and indigo to dye silk, wool and cotton to weave the scarves, shawls, etc. Your tour can be arranged by the Hacienda.

Leopard of Ecuador, hanging at the weaver’s factory.

Cotton that was dyed with walnut hulls. The stripes are made by tying off the threads with strips of agave plant.

Master weaver at his loom. Each piece can take anywhere from 15 days to 4 months.

Master weaver’s wife on right and helper at their looms.

Terrace view Hacienda Uzuphud

View from patio outside room 302 Hacienda Uzuphud

Ground floor patios at the Hacienda

Exquisite landscaping and flowers of many varieties adorn the grounds

The Salon is used for meetings, weddings, etc. includes a kitchen and gorgeous antiques

Original carriage used by the owners of the Hacienda

Current entrance of the Hacienda, they are working on getting the original entrance from the Rio Paute restored.