Ilalo Sky House, Quito

A private villa you arrive into, not check into

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QUITO SPECIALTY LODGING

Ilalo Sky House

Ilalo Sky House - a luxury villa in Quito, Ecuador, designed to rent either before or after a Galapagos Safari.

 

Designed as a mainland extension to a Galapagos Safari, Ilaló Sky House is a contemporary, four-bedroom villa on the slopes of Ilaló, offering families and small groups a calmer, more personal way to begin or end their time in Ecuador.

Located between Quito’s international airport and historic centre, and set above the Cumbayá and Tumbaco valleys with expansive open views, this light-filled home offers families and small groups the comfort, privacy and continuity that traditional hotel stays rarely provide, with open living spaces, multi-level terraces, leafy gardens and the same thoughtful hosting and coordination that define Galapagos Safari Camp.

Ilaló Sky House is the former family home of Galápagos Safari Camp co-founders Michael and Stephanie. With nearly two decades curating mainland Ecuador experiences alongside the camp, they know this landscape intimately, and understand what makes a Quito stay truly memorable.

 

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Iguana Divider
Contemporary house, open-plan living
Light-filled interiors with a natural connection to the surroundings
Rural setting, with the space and freedom to unwind in nature
Panoramic views over the Cumbayá and Tumbaco valleys
Private hosted experience, with the same level of care and hospitality that defines Galapagos Safari Camp
Ideal location: 30 minutes from the airport, and a springboard into the Andes.
ITINERARY
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
GALLERY
LOCATION
FAQ
RATES
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ITINERARY

4-Days / 3-Nights Sample Itinerary

The itinerary below is a sample. We are happy to adjust the order of activities and add nights depending on your needs and interests.

1

ARRIVAL AND SETTLING IN

Your trip begins with a 30-minute private transfer from Quito’s international airport to Ilaló Sky House. Once you arrive, the house is yours. Settle into your room, explore the terraces and gardens, and take in the sweeping views over the Cumbaya and Tumbaco valleys.

The house is fully hosted by the Galapagos Safari Camp team, with daily breakfast included and a lightly stocked kitchen for your arrival.

Lunch and dinner can be arranged in advance upon request, from relaxed in-house meals to more curated dining experiences.

2+3

YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Ilaló Sky House makes a natural base for exploring the Ecuadorian Andes. Our team shapes each day around your interests, whether that means an active excursion into the mountains, a cultural day in Quito, or a slower morning on the terraces before heading out later in the day.

Beyond these suggested experiences, we can also arrange more specialised cultural visits and private encounters shaped around individual interests, from curator-led museum visits and traditional weaving workshops to more tailored culinary, wellness or expert-led experiences.

 

Experiences Available

Quito’s Historic Center: Quito’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas. Our team can arrange a privately guided day through the old city, taking in its churches, plazas, markets and viewpoints at your own pace. Transfer time from the house is approximately 40–60 minutes.

Cotopaxi National Park: One of Ecuador’s most iconic landscapes, Cotopaxi is home to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. A full-day excursion from Ilaló Sky House takes in the páramo highlands, sweeping views of the volcano and opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting. Transfer time approximately 90–120 minutes.

Papallacta Hot Springs: A short journey east of Quito, Papallacta sits at high altitude in the Andes cloud forest and is home to natural thermal pools fed by volcanic springs. A perfect day for rest and recovery — particularly well suited to an arrival day or wind-down time before Galápagos. Transfer time approximately 70–90 minutes.

Otavalo Market & Region: One of the most celebrated indigenous markets in South America, the Otavalo Saturday market is a vivid and colourful experience. The wider region also offers weaving workshops, crater lakes and a scenic Andean landscape. Transfer time approximately 90–120 minutes.

Mindo Cloud Forest: A world-renowned birdwatching destination, Mindo is also known for its waterfalls, chocolate farms and lush cloud forest walking trails. An excellent full-day excursion for nature lovers. Transfer time approximately 120–160 minutes.

Cooking Experience: For a more intimate day centered around food, our team can arrange a cooking class drawing on Ecuadorian culinary traditions. The class is held onsite, at Ilaló Sky House, and is led by a specialist and tailored to the group.

 

Note: Excursions require advance notice to coordinate. Please let us know your interests at the time of booking.

4

MORNING AT THE HOUSE & ONWARD TRAVEL

After breakfast, take a final walk through the gardens, or simply relax before your private transfer to the airport or your next destination.

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Family-Friendly Quito Accommodation

Ilaló Sky House is ideally suited to families travelling together. With four ensuite guest rooms under one roof, generous shared living spaces and private gardens, it offers something a city hotel cannot — the run of an entire home, with private gardens and terraces that belong to your group for the duration of your stay. It also has a resident alpaca, which often delights younger guests.

Our on-site hosting team can help shape the stay around the rhythm of the family, including meal times, activities and day excursions, so that everything runs smoothly without feeling overly structured.

Day experiences such as Cotopaxi, Papallacta and Otavalo are all well suited to families and can be privately guided at a pace that works for the group.

 

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GALLERY
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House: a private villa in Quito, Ecuador. Aerial view
Ilalo Sky House, a contemporary luxury villa to rent in Quito, Ecuador
Ilalo Sky House, a contemporary luxury villa to rent in Quito, Ecuador
Ilalo Sky House, a contemporary luxury villa to rent in Quito, Ecuador
Ilalo Sky House in Quito offers more space and privacy than a city hotel
Bedroom balcony Ilalo Sky House, Quito - a natural connection to Quito's rural landscapes
Bedroom balcony Ilalo Sky House, Quito - a natural connection to the outdoors
Bedroom Ilalo Sky House, Quito. More space than a conventional city hotel
Bedroom Ilalo Sky House, Quito. Bedroom Ilalo Sky House, Quito. More space than a conventional city hotel
Bedroom Ilalo Sky House, Quito. Rooms can be configured as doubles or twins
Bedroom Ilalo Sky House, Quito
Dining area Ilalo Sky House - a private luxury villa in Quito with hosting
Sitting area Ilalo Sky House. Boutique accommodation in Quito
Ilalo Sky House. Open planned living. Private villa Quito.
Outdoor Ilalo Sky House. A private villa to rent in Quito
The open planned kitchen area pf Ilalo Sky House, - a private villa in Quito. Available for short-term stays before or after Galapagos
Master Bedroom with view Ilalo Sky House: a luxury villa in Quito, available for short stays before or after Galapagos
Master Bedroom with ensuite Ilalo Sky House, Quito
Master Bedroom with ensuite Ilalo Sky House, Quito
Sitting Room Ilalo Sky House, Quito
TV Room Ilalo Sky House, Quito
View from Ilalo Sky House, Quito
View from Ilalo Sky House, Quito
LOCATION

Location of Ilaló Sky House

Ilalo Sky House is located on the slopes of Ilalo, near Lumbisi, Quito, Ecuador. Only 30 minutes from Quito’s airport, it serves as a convenient base for exploring the capital’s historic center and surrounding Andean landscape.

 

Ilalo Sky House - a private luxury villa located 30 minutes from Quito's airport and within comfortable distance to a number of attractions in the surrounding area.

Distances from Ilaló Sky House

Destination Approximate transfer time
Quito international airport 30 minutes
Quito historic centre 40–60 minutes
Papallacta hot springs 70–90 minutes
Cotopaxi National Park 90–120 minutes
Otavalo market 90–120 minutes
Mindo cloud forest 120–160 minutes

 

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who are the hosts, and where do they stay?

Ilaló Sky House is hosted by members of the Galapagos Safari Camp team. Their accommodation is in a separate area (not in the main house) and has independent access. They are on hand throughout your stay to coordinate arrivals and departures, arrange day excursions and assist with any requests, but the house itself is entirely your own and is not ‘staffed’ in the traditional sense.

Hosting includes breakfast, but does not include cooking or serving other meals unless arranged separately in advance.

 

How far is Ilaló Sky House from Quito airport?

Ilaló Sky House is approximately 30 minutes from Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport by private transfer, and 40-60 minutes from Quito’s historic center, depending on traffic. This places it roughly midway between the two.

Guests traveling directly from the airport to the historic center should expect a journey of 60-90 minutes.

 

Is Ilaló Sky House suitable for children?

Yes. As a private villa, Ilalo Sky House is particularly well-suited to families travelling with children. With four ensuite rooms under one roof, private gardens, open terraces and a resident alpaca, it offers the kind of space, privacy and informality that is otherwise hard to obtain in a city hotel.

Day excursions into the Andes — to Cotopaxi, Papallacta and Otavalo — are all appropriate for families and can be privately guided at whatever pace suits the group.

 

Can I book Ilaló Sky House independently, without a Galapagos itinerary?

Ilaló Sky House is designed primarily as a 2–4 night extension before or after a Galapagos journey, and is operated by the Galapagos Safari Camp team. If you are planning a standalone stay in the Quito area, please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss our availability and options.

 

What type of accommodation is Ilalo Sky House?

Ilaló Sky House is a form of specialty lodging — a privately hosted whole-property rental that prioritises privacy, space and a personal hosting experience over the facilities of a larger hotel. Guests have exclusive use of all four ensuite bedrooms, the shared living spaces, terraces and gardens. For families and small groups, it offers a level of freedom and informality that conventional city accommodation cannot replicate.

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RATES

Rates for Ilalo Sky House

USD 1650 per night

Ilalo Sky House is priced as a whole property, per night, with a minimum stay of 2 nights.

 

Rates Include:

  • Private use of the entire house
  • Daily breakfast
  • On-site bilingual hosting and coordination
  • Daily housekeeping

 

Rates Do Not Include:

  • Airport transfers (available on request)
  • Lunch and dinner (available on request)
  • Guided day experiences and excursions
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Laundry service
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Additional activities and services

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ENQUIRE

Make An Enquiry

To learn more about combining your Galapagos Safari with this Quito extension, contact one of our Safari Designers.

 

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