Mashpi Lodge
Ecuador
Mashpi Lodge
La Delicia parish, Pacto,
Metropolitan Distric of Quito
Ecuador
www.mashpilodge.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Independent
Shareholders
Privately-owned
Date of Creation
June, 2012
Hotel General Manager
Marc Bery
Marc has experience as Director of Food & Beverages, of Operations, and Hotel Management, with several hotels in Ecuador. He has a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Autonomous Metropolitan University of Mexico. In 2014, he became Operations Manager at Mashpi Lodge.
Hotel Positioning
National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World member since 2015.
Development strategy
To lead a sustainable operation that delivers an authentic experience of the Mashpi Reserve in the Ecuadorian Choco Region, through comprehensive activities, carefully curated programs, and true traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, to live the Ecuadorian rainforest like a local.
MASHPI LODGE
History & Story
In 2001, the passionate environmentalist and former mayor of Quito, Roque Sevilla, saved this chunk of tropical forest from a logging operation and turned it into the Mashpi Reserve. He envisioned it as both a research-centered conservation area, and an exclusive spot for one-of-a-kind ecotourism. The hotel occupies the grounds vacated by the sawmill. Mashpi Lodge was built with state-of-the-art techniques, and its sustainable construction is designed to blend perfectly with the natural environment that surrounds it.
Sevilla’s visionary creation encompassed the community too, by training them to shift from deforestation to conservation, and employing them at the lodge.
Date Renovation
Mashpi Lodge underwent a renovation in August, 2017, focused on wellness, families and research. Two of Ecuador’s best, interior designer Julio Vinueza, and prestigious architect Roberto Burneo, worked together to redefine the concept of the social areas. They enhanced the bar, remodeled the reception area and lobby, and built the Expedition Room. The original spa area was moved to the terrace level (two massage rooms); in this space, we built a convertible suite (two rooms separated by a vestibule). We also built Mashpi Lab, to bring guests closer to Mashpi Reserve’s scientific research, complete with its own Children’s Corner.
Date added Extensions
Renovations included the construction of our Samay Wellness Center, a sleek and modern outdoor space located adjacent to the Lodge. Blending seamlessly with the surroundings, it harbors a hot tub and yoga deck, and offers treatments. The name means soul in native Kichwa.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Mashpi Lodge combines luxury sustainable tourism and conservation efforts. Located at one of the planet’s most important ecological hotspots, we aim to further knowledge of its ecosystem with our scientific research to promote environmental awareness, while still providing a real cocoon of lavish relaxation, tucked away in the forest. The Lodge’s sophisticated, strikingly-contemporary design, nature-centered Spa, and top hospitality, paired with our research station, make for the ideal central base to explore the biological corridor that is the Choco Region.
Location
3 hours away from the capital, Quito, perched at 900 meters, (3,116 feet) above sea level, between tropical rainforest and cloud forest, the Lodge is surrounded by a profusion of plant species, from ferns and bromeliads, to plenty of orchid species. A staggering 400 species of birds –including some 36 endemic species– inhabit the forest, fluttering through the canopy. Monkeys, peccaries and even large pumas make their homes inside the Reserve.
Key sites/activities in the area
There are dozens of activities to enjoy within the reserve, setting out from the lodge. These can be chosen by guests depending on their interests and skills. They include visiting the Life Centre, with its fascinating and colorful butterflies; riding the ingenious Sky Bike across a gorge; climbing the Observation Tower; spotting dozens of birds at the Hummingbird Garden; trekking through the forests; walking to refreshing waterfalls; birdwatching at dawn from the terrace; flying through the canopy atop the amazing Dragonfly Canopy Gondola; all the while letting the magic of the forest sink under your skin.
Fun Facts
• Mashpi Lab is home to the investigation projects carried out within the Mashpi Reserve, manned by our Wildlife Project Coordinator. The ongoing research has already led to the identification of several species new to science, all recently discovered, like the Mashpi Torrenteer Frog (nocturnal tree frog), Magnolia Mashpi (a species of this tree that only grows on the reserve), and Lepanthes Mashpica (orchid). Here, guests can see specimen exhibits, and learn about scientific projects with Mashpi’s resident biologist and guides.
• For exploration, we offer our guests the assistance of an Expedition Leader, who designs itineraries that allow every visitor to make the most of their stay, with the flexibility to tailor them to specific preferences and make them personalized.
Children’s Corner
The Mashpi Rangers program brings together all kid-friendly exploration activities that foster learning, guided by our in-house scientists. With the Life Center, Sky Bike, and Mashpi Lab, the young ones (ages 6 and up) in the family can have tons of fun while increasing their knowledge on rainforest wildlife, as they awaken their love for science and nature.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 3
• Yaku Suites have king-size beds.
• Number of Luxury rooms: 21
• 13 Wayra Rooms with two full-size beds.
• 7 Wayra Rooms with one king-size bed.
• 1 Wawa Room with a full-size bed.
* 6 interconnected rooms (3 Wayra Twin with 3 Wayra King).
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 24
Restaurants & Bars
• Mashpi Restaurant: Cuisine of the wild ( All- inclusive)
Mashpi has built a gastronomic identity around ingredients native to the forest, filled with generous flavors that will linger in your memory long after your visit. We aim to match fine dining with the soul of the forest, offering sustainable menus that highlight the formidable Ecuadorian cuisine. Chef Oswaldo Araujo showcases the finest Ecuadorian gastronomy while blending flavours and techniques from around the world. The restaurant offers three meals: buffet breakfast, À la carte lunches and appetizers, and dinner.
• Mashpi’s Bar
The adjoining bar offers specialty house cocktails, created by our very own mixologist from Peru, Jossimar Luján, who designs the menu to reflect the forest and its inhabitants. Focusing on creativity, he has dedicated himself to the limitless art of combining all sorts of incredible flavours and techniques. Also offered are natural energy drinks, and a specialty wine list of mostly Chilean and Argentinean vintages.
Wellness
An array of fine treatments, a yoga deck, and a hot tub. Mashpi Lodge’s very own spa is aimed at giving you the full experience, whichever service you choose, with resources unique to the surrounding natural oasis. Its secluded location amidst raw nature make it an exclusive site for a holistic approach to wellbeing, where our team certified experts of will help you detox and unwind with luxurious pampering.
Corporate & Celebration Events
The hotel can be chartered and is an ideal venue for corporate team-building events. Celebrations and events can be carried out inside and outside, with a max capacity of 47 guests.
Extra Notable Features
Activities on the reserve:
• Dragonfly
• Sky Bike
• Observation Tower
• Life Centre
• Trails
• Waterfalls
• Night walks
• Birdwatching and wildlife observation
• Hummingbird Garden
• Laboratory
• Children’s activities
• Specialized activities
Hotel & Restaurants Awards
2019
• World Responsible Tourism Award – Emerging Leaders – Recognition
• Luxury Lifestyle – Luxury Lifestyle Readers’ Awards: Top 5 Best Hotels in South America (#1) – Winner
• Square Mile Magazine – Among the Best Hoteles in South America
• World SPA Awards – Ecuador Best Resort Spa – Winner
• Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Top 20 Resorts in South America (#13) – Winner
• TripAdvisor – TripAdvisor 2019: Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame
• The Telegraph – The 50 greatest hotels in the world
• World Travel Awards – South America’s Leading Eco-Lodge – Winner
2018
• World Travel Awards – South America’s Leading Eco-Lodge – Winner
• World SPA Awards – Latin America’s Best Resort Spa – Winner
• World SPA Awards – Ecuador’s Best Resort Spa – Winner
• Celebrated Living Magazine – Platinum List: Best Hotel Innovators
• Luxury Lifestyle – Luxury Lifestyle Readers’ Awards: Top 10 Best Hotels in the World (# 8)
• Luxury Lifestyle Luxury Lifestyle Readers’ Awards: Best Hotel in South America (#1)
2017
• World SPA Awards – Ecuador’s Best Resort Spa – Winner
• World Travel Awards South America’s Leading Green Hotel – Winner
• United Nations – Recognized by the UN Global Compact for its commitment to the conservation of Ecuador’s Chocó Bioregion
• Condé Nast Traveler – Readers’ Choice Awards- Top 20 Resorts in South America
Chad Clark 25 Certified Recognition for Mashpi’s Night Walk
• Flight Network Luxury Lodges: The 100 World’s Greatest Hotels (#2) – Winner
• Hideaway Report – Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Grand Award and Special Recognition for Most Family-Friendly Hotel – Winner
• Hideaway Report – Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report – Special Recognition for Most Family-Friendly Hotel
2015-2016
• World Travel Awards Ecuador's Leading Green Hotel Winner
• Top 10 Eco-Lodges in South America, Travel Weekly.
• The most amazing hotel experiences in the world, Daily Telegraph.
2013-2014
• Condé Nast Hot List. Travel+Leisure It List.
Number of employees
104