Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador

Mashpi Lodge is a luxury cloud forest lodge in Ecuador, hidden on the western flanks of the Andes, where the mountains fall away towards the Pacific into one of the most biodiverse places on Earth: the Chocó cloud forest. Deep within a private reserve, its sleek glass-and-steel building seems to float among the trees. Created by former Quito mayor and conservationist Roque Sevilla to protect the forest from logging, it is a pioneering blend of contemporary design, luxury and science, and one of the most extraordinary nature lodges in South America.

Location: Ecuador

Mashpi lies about 100 kilometres north-west of Quito, roughly three hours' drive. The journey itself is spectacular: from the Andean capital at around 2,800 metres, the road crosses the dry Pomasqui valley, then drops down the western cordillera into lush, misty forest. The lodge sits at around 950 metres, in the transition zone between lower montane rainforest and cloud forest.

The lodge is surrounded by the Mashpi Reserve, a private protected area of several thousand acres within the Ecuadorian Chocó bioregion, accessible exclusively to lodge guests. It is part of a wider conservation corridor, and the reserve is home to hundreds of bird species, monkeys, frogs, butterflies and even pumas. To be clear, this is a mountain-forest lodge rather than an alpine one: the drama is in the steep, cloud-wrapped slopes and the life within them, rather than snowy peaks.

Rooms and suites at Mashpi Lodge

There are just 24 rooms and suites, spread across three floors. Most are Wayra rooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows on at least one side; ground-floor rooms look into the forest floor, while upper rooms gaze into the canopy. Some rooms can be connected for families. The Yaku Suites offer more space and deep soaking tubs looking out into the forest.

Interiors are contemporary and minimalist, with warm earth tones, bamboo screens and pops of colour, designed so that the forest outside remains the focus. Waking to mist drifting past the window and birds calling in the trees is unforgettable.

Facilities at Mashpi Lodge

The lodge's restaurant, in a two-storey dining room overlooking the forest, serves fresh Ecuadorian cuisine with local ingredients. The Samay Wellness Centre has massage rooms, an open-air hot tub and a yoga deck, all immersed in the sounds of the forest.

But the real attractions are outdoors. Expert naturalist guides lead daily walks along trails to waterfalls and viewpoints, as well as night walks to find frogs, insects and other nocturnal creatures. The Life Centre is a butterfly breeding and research facility, and there is a hummingbird garden and an observation tower that rises above the canopy. The lodge also has its own research laboratory: the reserve's biologists have documented more than 20 species new to science, including the Mashpi frog and the Mashpi magnolia.

The mountain moment

The signature experience is the Dragonfly, a canopy gondola that glides for around two kilometres through and above the forest, crossing ravines and passing at eye level with the treetops, where toucans, tanagers and monkeys can often be seen. Floating silently through the cloud forest as mist curls through the trees is a magical way to understand the scale and richness of this ecosystem.

For something more active, the Sky Bike is an aerial bicycle on a cable, which two people pedal across a gap in the canopy, suspended high above the forest floor.

Why Mashpi Lodge is one of the best mountain hotels

Mashpi Lodge earns its place because it offers one of the most immersive and original nature experiences in the world, in a mountain landscape of extraordinary richness. Its architecture, guiding, research and commitment to conservation set it apart, and its comfort makes the wild cloud forest accessible to all.

It is not a high-altitude mountain hotel in the classic sense, and the weather is often misty and wet. But for nature lovers, families and anyone curious about the living world, it is a revelation, and the perfect complement to a trip to the Andes or the Galápagos.

When to go to Mashpi Lodge

Mashpi is a year-round destination, and wildlife is abundant in every season. The wetter months, roughly December to May, bring warm temperatures, heavy afternoon rain, lush growth and especially active frogs and insects on night walks. The drier, cooler months, roughly June to November, bring more mist and clearer mornings, which many guests find ideal for the Dragonfly and the observation tower. Bring rain gear whenever you travel. The lodge pairs well with Quito and the Galápagos, so build in time for the three-hour transfer.