My boyfriend and I had the opportunity to check out the beautiful Resort with natural Hotsprings and Spa. We decided to go on a Monday since fewer people and chances to get the best room were higher.

We arrived around 4 pm. The receptionist asked us if we wanted a guided tour around the whole property. He also gave us a wristband so the staff would know we stayed there. One of them showed us our room. It was beautiful. We got the Jacuzzi room. More about this later.

The property has 35 wood rooms with a private bathroom and floor heating, which is very necessary since Papallacta is very cold. Three of these rooms had a jacuzzi and were brand new in 2020.

The different types of rooms Papallacta offer:

Standard rooms:

You can choose between 2 double beds or a king-size bed. Each room in the standard category has its private bathrooms. The rooms come with excellent WIFI, floor heating, safe and bathroom amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and other accessories. Also, a hairdryer, an additional heater, blankets, a telephone so you can call the reception anytime, water bottles were available in each room.

Rooms with jacuzzi

The jacuzzi rooms are brand new, and it is the room that we got. They have three of these rooms. It comes with a King size bed, jacuzzi in the bathroom, included a separate shower and toilet. This room is perfect for honeymooners or couples in general. The room also comes with all the essentials as the standard room included bath salt for the Jacuzzi, Teapot, several selections of tea and chocolate.

Family cabins

We were so lucky that we got to see these rooms. About 100 meters from the hotel, they have six two-story cabins with two bathrooms in each place. Perfect for families with kids or friends. The area where the cabins are is super beautiful and has natural hot springs right outside the entrance. Some of the cabins also come with a fireplace.

ABOUT TERMAS PAPALLACTA

As stated on their site, 6 Ecuadorians found a hidden treasure in the middle of the Andean wilderness, and that’s how Termas Papallacta occurred. Termas Papallacta, located in a short drive from Quito, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It takes only 45 minutes from the international airport in Quito. It is a small town in Ecuador, about 3,250 m above sea level in the Andes. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself away from noise and pollution. You will be in the middle of a unique natural environment. On their website, they explain how the hot springs are so healthy and good for our body. They say that thermal water sources that feed the Papallacta pools come from rainwater infiltrated into the Chacana volcanic caldera. They acquire heat energy, magma, and mineral-medicinal priorities. The water arises from deep geological layers until they reach the surface with all the healthy potentials.

The hot springs temperature varies between 60-70 degrees, but you will experience a comfortable temperature between 36 to 38 degrees in the pools. Papallacta is a freezing place, so it feels so good to get in the hot springs and stay there for a maximum of 20 minutes, then jump in the super cold water next to the hot spring and back to the warm water. So refreshing.

SPA

We also had the opportunity to test the spa. After breakfast on the departure day, we went to the spa area. The spa area has five thermal pools equipped with pressurized water jets, hydro jets, and air injectors. They also have one super cold pool so you can refresh. You can also find a restaurant and outside seating areas next to the springs. Personally, this was my favorite place to be. The beauty of the pools and the mountains surrounding them was breathtaking.

Once we arrived at the spa area, they had us sign a paper with corona measurements, with our names and our room. They also handed out keys for our lockers, towels, and a swimming cap (mandatory). It is possible to take it off for pictures, though.

The spa has all the essentials you need after swimming in the hot pools, such as shampoo and conditioners, hairdryers, and dressing rooms with floor heating.

We got to take some pictures before more people arrived. I tried to fly my drone, but it didn’t want to cooperate with me. So I landed it for safety measures.

SPA TREATMENT

After enjoying the pools in the spa area, we went to the spa itself. They asked if we wanted cold or hot tea. We chose the cold one, super tasty. They had us wait inside a comfortable room with sunbeds, towels, relaxing music, and aroma. We waited for maybe 10 minutes then the lady asked if we were ready. We went to two separate massage rooms since they only have one single bed in each massage room.

The lady started with my feet. She put this fantastic oil on my body. I think this is one of the best massages I have ever had. She was so gentle but knew where to touch, and she could feel what muscles needed more attention. Very talented and comfortable. The music was super relaxing as well, and there were candle lights in the massage room, which made it even more relaxing.

The spa area is beautiful, the essential oils smell incredible, and the rooms are spacious. It feels very luxurious, and you can even take a shower before you get the massage. I would recommend taking a shower, as it would be healthier and cleaner for the masseur, and you would feel better as well. You can also take a shower after the treatment to get rid of the excessive oil.

COVID-19 MEASUREMENTS

Termas Papallacta has done some measurements for you to be safe at their place due to the corona pandemic. In the reception area, there are hand sanitizers. On the floor, it says 2-meter distance, and everyone has to wear masks at times, even when taking spa treatment. In the restaurant area, they have put several tables with sanitizers for your convenience. They also have put out separators in the hot springs, so people can’t get close to each other. Great for safety measures but bad for photos.

HONEST REVIEW:

When we arrived around 4 pm, they told us to go to the reception to check-in. The receptionist was very kind and explained everything about the property, the Covid-19 measurements. He told us where we could find the restaurant and explained about the hot springs.

Another employee followed us to our room, which was the Jacuzzi room. A brand new room with a king-size bed and a massive bathroom with a double shower and a separate jacuzzi. The room had plenty of towels, two pairs of robes, chocolate, and tea. We loved this room. At night we tried the jacuzzi, put a lot of salt inside, and our skin felt so soft and smelled amazing—such a luxury feeling. The bed was comfortable, and the room and the curtains made the room pitch black. I loved it.

Right outside the room, we could enter the hot springs. The best part about the hot springs being outside each cabana is that they are open 24/7, so there is no time limit when you go at night. I think people respect being quiet and understandable towards other guests while taking a dip at night.

We went late so that we could take pictures with no people. There weren’t many people anyway. It was super cold standing there trying to get the shot, so when we got too cold, we just entered the hot spring.

I have been to plenty of hot springs in my life, natural and human-made. Papallacta is doing a great job maintaining this place. It is spotless in the hotel area. They empty the pools in the spa area every night and refills in the morning. So when guests arrive in the morning, it will be 100% clean.

The food at the papallacta was great, but I was waiting for some good sauce or dressing. That is something they should consider as it is an excellent restaurant and a good chef. The sauce is super important. Otherwise, I find it dry and dull. I would give the restaurant a 7 out of 10 because they didn’t have a sauce with their food.

Overall, my stay at papallacta was outstanding. I will, for sure, go back and also recommend this place for others visiting Ecuador. It is an adventure just being there. The atmosphere is so relaxed, the staff was incredibly professional and informal, and the new rooms were better than expected.