Ecuador and Galapagos Trip change - thoughts?

[alvernon90]

We just received the letter today saying that the itinerary for our July Highlands/Galapagos trip has been changed. It appears that we will no longer be staying at Hacienda Cusin, and will be staying at Hacienda Pinsaqui instead.

Can anyone who has been tell me if this is a good or bad thing? Anyone have any speculation on the reason for the change?

 

[K and K's Mommy]

From my DD 10 (who was 9 on the trip with my parents): she thinks the Hacienda Pinsaqui might be a bit "fancier." "They had cool chandeliers."
She says it was very nice, but she can't remember the food very well. The Hacienda Pinsaqui is where she did the art project. They also had a tour of it. My DD also liked that there were some horses there.

Hopefully, an adult will come along and give their opinion for you!

 

[Dahly]

I remember the public spaces at Hacienda Pinsaqui being larger than Cusin and a bit more "plush" , but we did not see any of the guest rooms, so I can't compare those. Cusin was somewhat spread out..we needed a flashlight for the walk back to the room after dinner.

At Cusin, they have a "hidden" room that was really fun for the kids to find. It was also within walking distance of a rose plantation - where we got a surprise tour.

The one meal we had at Pinsaqui (lunch) was good. I do remember thinking I would have liked to stay there on a return trip..so there must have been something I liked.
We went in 2009 - so if I remember anything else, I will add.

Honestly though, either place will be great. We had such a good time, DS, who was 11 at the time, talks about going back at least once a week....

And my son just reminded me they had peacocks at Pinsaqui...

 

[alvernon90]

Thanks for the replies. I assumed that there would be a good reason for the switch, and I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

 

[sjlsk8r]

We enjoyed our stay at Hacienda Cusin tremendously. With that being said, it was pretty much unanamous that one of the best meals we had was lunch at Pinsaqui! So while I have no complaints about Cusin, I would be more than happy to hear that we were staying at Pinsaqui if we were to take the trip again. I do agree that the space is larger there which may be one reason to make a switch. The dining area got pretty crowded at breakfast when everyone was there.

 

[kristilew]

I will be interested to see if we get a letter for our December trip, or if this is a one-time change. So far haven't heard anything.

Either way, alvernon90, we'll be looking forward to your review!

 

[pipch]

- Hi there we haven't received our change letter yet - although snail mail takes longer here to Barbados.
What date are you going? We are on the 17th July trip?
I am assuming it is every itinerary? Do you know?
Thanks

Pip

 

[sayhello]

- Hi there we haven't received our change letter yet - although snail mail takes longer here to Barbados.
What date are you going? We are on the 17th July trip?
I am assuming it is every itinerary? Do you know?
Thanks

Pip

I'd call ABD to find that out. I wouldn't assume it was every itinerary at this point. There may have just been some sort of conflict with the "old hotel" for the week alvernon90 is going (a wedding? some other type of large private party?). The website still says Hacienda Cusín. I would think if it was a change for all itineraries, they'd update that.

But it never hurts to ask!

Sayhello

 

[kjd469]

We have also had a change to one of our hotels for our Peru trip this summer - letters were sent out last week. As I have done the trip previously, and really did not like the previous hotel or think that it was worthy of ABD, I was very pleased to learn of the change.

It is my understanding (from a reliable source) that ABD is tweaking many of the trips for 2012 and 2013 with regards to replacing some of the hotels that have gotten less than stellar reviews from the guests.

I think this is a welcome change and nice to see they are finally listening to guest feedback

 

[tufbuf]

Hacienda Pinsaqui is a wonderful place!!! I would have preferred to stay there honestly. Our room was right next to the road in Cusin and at 6 am, you can clearly hear the buses honking their horns and unloading the workers in the nearby rose factory (which is now officially part of the tour). The view in Pinsaqui is simply amazing and it is much more peaceful since it's way back from the main road. The manager (forgot his name at the moment) is somewhat of an eye candy, our guide Rae made sure she had pictures taken of him. hahaha!

 

[sayhello]

Hacienda Pinsaqui is a wonderful place!!! I would have preferred to stay there honestly. Our room was right next to the road in Cusin and at 6 am, you can clearly hear the buses honking their horns and unloading the workers in the nearby rose factory (which is now officially part of the tour). The view in Pinsaqui is simply amazing and it is much more peaceful since it's way back from the main road. The manager (forgot his name at the moment) is somewhat of an eye candy, our guide Rae made sure she had pictures taken of him. hahaha!

Heheheheh! I can totally see Rae doing that!

Sayhello

 

[alvernon90]

Pip, we are going on the July 17th trip as well. I'm sure you will get the letter soon -- if our hotel is changed, so is yours! I expect we shall be meeting in a few months.

Glad to hear such great things about the changed hotel. It seems most likely that this is a temporary switch, though the reason given in the letter is that Hacienda Pinsaqui "offers a superior experience then [sic] the hotel we previously featured on our itinerary."

Whatever the reason and whatever the future plan, I'm sure we won't be disappointed on this trip.

 

[familygoboston]

Thinking back on all my research; Im pretty sure it's been mentioned in reviews that HP has been a "stop" during the "highlands" part of the tour, and I know I ve read at least one review (was it yours Tuffbuff?) that speculated they'd rather stay at HP than HC, and wondered why not.

I depart in August and haven't got a letter, (but it would likely go to my TA forst) so I guess I don't know if our Aug departure has changed too. Or it could be a one shot deal due to an event at HC. I ahve to call my TA next week anyway, so i will ask her and post if I get any info on the situation!

 

[Bobo912]

Last year at this time we were in the Galapagos. Every day this week we've been reminiscing about where we were and what we were doing on each day. On this date last year we were on Fernandina. We've got 6 more days to go before we get to reminisce about coming home. I hope you all have a wonderful time like we did. I'm sure you will! It is an amazing place.

 

[sayhello]

Last year at this time we were in the Galapagos. Every day this week we've been reminiscing about where we were and what we were doing on each day. On this date last year we were on Fernandina. We've got 6 more days to go before we get to reminisce about coming home. I hope you all have a wonderful time like we did. I'm sure you will! It is an amazing place.

Sayhello

 

[tufbuf]

Thinking back on all my research; Im pretty sure it's been mentioned in reviews that HP has been a "stop" during the "highlands" part of the tour, and I know I ve read at least one review (was it yours Tuffbuff?) that speculated they'd rather stay at HP than HC, and wondered why not.

Yup, that was me. I think Pinsaqui is more serene and they have a beautiful garden. There is also an option to go horseback riding within the premises if there is free time.

 

[familygoboston]

It might have changed while I was looking! I did some research earlier and was still seeing HC, but now am seeing HP for night 2 and 3. So it appears to be for all their upcoming departures.

If tuffbuff is right ( and I can't see why not) maybe this is an improvement? I also see the Otavalo Market is listed, and I'm not sure that was on my itinerary printed from this summer? So maybe a few tweaks here and there; but I'm sure it'll be a great trip in any case!

I did not get a letter, but haven't spoken to my TA in a few weeks. I was researching Quito day trips so I can call her early this week, I'll update with any new info I get.

 

[kristilew]

familygoboston, please do post about your Quito research. Looks like we will be staying an extra day or two, so will be interested in what you find out!

 

[familygoboston]

familygoboston, please do post about your Quito research. Looks like we will be staying an extra day or two, so will be interested in what you find out!

Will do!

 

[pipch]

alvernon90! Thanks delighted to hear we are on the same trip and yes our TA received the letter yesterday.
I did also call to check and took the opportunity to ask how many junior adventurers on our trip - an amazing 12 (4x11/ 4x 10/ 2x9 and 8 and a 7 year old) My son who is 9 is over the moon!! Am sure they will have a ball.

Look forward to meeting you