Pepe's House Cuenca Hotel & Hostel

Clean, friendly people, nice location, safe, and hot water. I love Empanada, the hotel cat. She's so sweet.

Beds were hard as rocks, even with earplugs we were wakened every night. Our room was tiny (2 twin beds against side walls with 18" between them and maybe 24" between beds and dresser. Room had no ventilation, was musty smelling and humid, nothing would dry, tiny closet area. Parking cost $10 daily for tiny lot across the street, everything was soaked by the time we got into the hotel. Staff is very friendly and courteous, breakfast was ok. Other rooms were much larger, airy, good ventilation but also hard beds. Staff were nice and location is great, but I will never stay here again, very little sleep for 4 nights. Many other options in the same area.

Best place to stay for a visit to historic Cuenca.

This hotel has a 5 star staff and 5 star location. Just completed a 2 week stay and will definately be going back. The staff and location can't be beat if you are visiting historic Cuenca. The staff genuinely made this trip amazing. The breakfast is great with a variety of options. They always greeted us and provided great advice about the area. Unbelievable service at a very affordable price. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Cuenca. Truly love this place.

We adored our stay at Pepe’s! The room and bed (firm) were comfortable and to our liking. The location is *very* walkable to several squares, restaurants, shopping, and even a few great beer spots (two breweries and a Belgian spot). Alexandria and Estephanie were extremely accommodating and warm, we were very grateful for them. The breakfasts were big and delicious, and daily coffee nice and strong! We had heard that the towels and blankets in Ecuador were rough but not at Pepe’s! Soft towels, sheets, blankets, pillows…heaven. The plants and natural light gave it a wonderful feel that enticed us to spend more time there than we normally do when on travel adventures. Our favorite aspect of Pepe’s was the resident kitty, Empanada, who was often lounging around should we care to read or enjoy a drink in the common areas. She was so friendly and cuddly, will come into your room and snuggle if you leave the door open for her - this helped us miss our cats and dog considerably less while we travelled, as we are used to companion animal cuddling. We cannot recommend Pepe’s enough, especially if you value good location, nice atmosphere, and the company of animals. Thank you!!

Great place.

No care for a disabled guest. a MUST read before you think of booking

We booked this hotel (it is really in my opinion just a hostel) saying that the only reason we chose this in the end was because of the website we booked on stated it had an Evelator. My dad is disabled and we were only looking for places with an Elevator. So when we turn up to realise it didn't have one, even though I showed the staff where it said it did on the booking website, they took pictures showed to the owner and the response was clear, we don't care, it is non refundable. Which is the only line they would repeat. They just did not care. Even though it says falsely it has an elevator. They said it's bookings fault and not there's. The did not try to resolve the issue in our opinion. They offered a room on the bottom floor, no external window. The room we paid for was a suite with a balcony. The room they offered was HALF THE PRICE and even then they said they would not refund the difference and would just be a clean swap even though the room was inferior and literally half the cost and size. I even showed them my dads official disabled badge. They did not care. The answer was clear, the owner doesn't care and will not refund your money. Go elsewhere, write bad reviews we will not refund the money, it's non refundable and the problem is booking not us. They actually said just this! Wow. Expedia, Qantas and Trip all have it stayed that the place has an elevator, and yet they do not take any responsibility. After all of this, there were other problems regarding money. Firstly, you want to have wine in your room? You ask for some wine glasses, the answer is, you can but we sell wine therefore we charge corkage (Even though they did not sell white wine) the same reason they wouldn't give us any ice for our rooms. We asked nicely before arriving if it would be possible to check in one of the rooms at midday instead of 1pm (as my dad needs the rest being disabled) the answer was clear, yes of course you can but it costs 50% of the cost of the night. For one hour!! The rules on the back of the door are petty at the least. "We believe if you break something you should pay for it" We did not break anything but it makes you feel anxious about dropping a glass or their water bottle or something because they will charge you for it. The breakfast was simple but not bad. Fresh fruit, granola, bread toast jam and something hot. For a hostal the breakfast would be a good one, BUT the coffee was BAD, weak and undrinkable. I read somewhere that it was good in a review, absolutely not the case. The two rooms we booked with Balcony's were not worth it if you chose them for the balconies. They are small balconies where you could barely stand, it certainly wouldn't be possible to sit and watch the world go by, also the view was not very good from either room just the busy street. The tv in the large rooms on the wall were too small for the size of the room. Lying in the bed the writing was illegible it was so small. However it was great to have the apps like netflix youtube disney etc. For what you pay having the suites with balconies there are better places to stay. Perhaps if you paid half the price we did and stayed in the lower ground floor rooms with the idea it was just a hostel maybe your stay would be ok. But everything seemed to focus around money and paying for things. I've never been to a hotel where they charge corkage for having wine glasses in your room, where they refuse ice incase you going to have your own drinks, where they refuse a disabled person a refund after they falsely advertised an elevator. To me this is not owners who care about guests. They seem to care about the money. Also after all of this they made sure that i knew my mum had to share the room with me (we booked 2 suites) accidently the smaller suite i booked for 2 peopel and the larger for 1 and apparently woudl effect the price by $15 or so. I was told I would be charged more if we had 2 sleeping in the larger room. I mean really after everything what does it really matter when we were all in one room most of the day anyway. However because we couldn't be bothered with any more fights my mum came and slept with me anyway. The pros Even though the female staff at reception was very firm in not contacting the owner on my behalf and not allowing a refund, my impression was that her hands were tied and he wouldn't care or allow the change. She did say he told her to just sort it out but no refund. She offered free glasses of wine (which is when we found out about the corkage when they mistook me asking for wine glasses for the glasses of wine they offered). She also gave us some fruit in our rooms, however I read after that this is supposed to be daily given the fact they were suits but we didn't receive it the second day. The lady in the second turn was ever so helpful in helping us find a nice restaurant. She had good recommendations. I have not a bad word to say about any of the staff we met, from the cook to the cleaners, all were kind and welcoming. And even the cats were cute to have around. I was sure that I saw this place advertised as having an elevator in more than just one place I have in fact found 3 places in total. Expedia (which after they took a picture and showed the owner although they said it was the websites fault mas if ally it changed over night). Qantas and Tripp. I've attached the latter 2 because now they have changed the expedia website however the lady at reception has the photos she took them twice to be sure. The clear lack of regard for a disabled client, unwillingness to help, to see the error themselves or offer a solution is disgusting in my opinion. Please be careful when booking here, they offer NO GRACE. I would not recommending leaving your card details with them as I wouldn't put it past them to charge you things on exit.

Well run, really friendly hotel in a great location

We stayed either side of a trip to Vilcabamba and also spent extra nights here to explore Cuenca and it's local sights. The receptionists Samira, Alexandra and Yancy spoke excellent English and couldn't be more helpful. They answered all queries and booked two day trips for us as well - to Ingapirca and to Cajas national park. The cleaning and kitchen staff were also very friendly and obliging. The en suite double room was quiet as requested, had decent wifi and Netflix/Youtube etc channels which were handy. Used the laundry service which was good value and quick. Breakfasts were freshly prepared with a choice of food and tea/coffee were always available anyway. Overall an excellent, relaxing stay and it is easy to recommend this hotel.

Delightful, feline friendly hotel within a stone’s throw of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Staff are friendly and helpful and the hotel is very clean. It was the first place in Ecuador I could sleep without using earplugs! The breakfast and common areas were also fantastic. Highly recommended.

Cozy place in Cuenca

How do I start! This place is absolutely wonderful. We stayed there a week and don't regret a second of it! The location in in the heart of the historical district of Cuenca. We went on multiple day tours, all of which the hotel helped set up and organized. The staff is absolutely wonderful and accommodating. The breakfast is so great. I can't forget to mention the wondfuo cats that welcome you upon entering the cat! I can't speak highly enough of Pepe's!! I want to go back so bad!!

Gorgeous Hotel

Such a beautiful hotel. Definitely deserves its Boutique naming. I love the decoration, the rooms a spotless and the bathroom is as it should be. Feels very safe too as only guest can enter the premises. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Only 5’ walk to the Plaza Calderon so very well situated.