Travelling as a couple, we use Airbnbs a lot, often for the simple fact that in many cities we’ve discovered that renting an entire apartment to ourselves can often be much cheaper than paying for a private double in a hostel.

And in Quito, where some of the best hostels charge up to £40 ($50) a night for a double, this was absolutely the case; our little apartment was only £10 ($13) a night! Thrown in the fact that renting an Airbnb also gave us our own kitchen, no one to fight with for hot water, and unlimited internet, it was the perfect choice for our week in the city.

So, if you’re in the Ecuadorian capital for a few nights, it’s definitely worth looking into your options.

Now, as we mentioned in our best hostels in Quito post, before finding your perfect Airbnb in Quito, you’ll need to decide which neighbourhood you’d like to be in - and to make that a little easier, we’ve broken this post down by three mains areas of the city.

Here are our pick of the best Airbnbs in Quito, in La Floresta, La Mariscal and the centro historico - with options to suit all budgets and travel styles!

The Old Town | A Classic Quito Experience

Given its status as the world’s first (and best preserved) UNESCO heritage city, it’s easy to understand why many who come to Quito choose to stay in the historic centre - and why it seems that there are many more Airbnbs here than in the rest of the city.

If you’re keen to be close to all the best things to do in Quito, don’t mind being amongst a few more tourists, and love the idea of staying in beautifully renovated colonial properties, then this is the place for you.

Cheap and Cheerful

This apartment is where we stayed during our second time in the city!

Down a residential street in the old town (in part of a gated complex so nice and secure), it’s within walking distance to all the major sights, but also lovely and peaceful. The apartment is small but perfectly adequate for £10 / $13 a night, has a serviceable little kitchen that allowed us to cook all our meals, good wifi, and a comfy bed. The only downside was that it’s a little chilly, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a couple of extra layers.

Is it the fanciest Airbnb in town? No. But it’s definitely the cheapest! We’d stay there again.

Capacity | One bedrooms, two guests

Price | From £10 / $13 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Charming Airbnb In Historic Centre

This apartment proves that good (and cheap!) things can be found in small packages. With stylish design features throughout, at only £12 per night, this is the second cheapest apartment on this list and is perfectly ideal for a young couple on a budget who don’t plan to do much cooking, given that the kitchen is rather limited.

Capacity | One bedrooms, two guests

Price | From £12 / $15 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

An alternative budget option is this apartment. Whilst the decoration is a little rough around the edges, it has spectacular views and at £11 / $14 per night, is very reasonably priced.

Itchimbia Garden

We love the look of this little apartment!

Located a short walk from Quito’s old town, this charming colonial house (broken down into four flats), is bright and colourful, and set around a lovely garden with fruit trees. The apartment itself has been sensitively renovated with lots of traditional heavy dark wood furniture, as well as beautiful floorboards and would provide a wonderful base for a travelling couple.

The owners even provide a little hamper for breakfast each morning!

Capacity | One bedroom, two guests (the listing says four adults, but that would involve two couples in two beds in the same room - kinky)

Price | From £24 / $31 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Tip | If you’ve never used Airbnb before, then sign up for free via this link to receive up to £25 off your first booking.

Encantador Loft

If your ideal home is a bohemian style loft with quirky features and lots of greenery, this is the Airbnb for you!

Set over two floors, this beautiful hipster-designed apartment is perfect for small families or couple who want a little more space, but also love to surround themselves with vintage furniture, colourful art, and appreciate a more ‘lived-in’ feel to their Airbnbs rather than the clinical hotel vibe that has become increasingly common.

It also has a roof terrace, good kitchen and washing machine.

Capacity | Two bedrooms, four guests

Price | From £34 / $43.50 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Chimborazo Airbnb

Chimborazo is a spacious, fully furnished, modern loft apartment located on the first floor of Casa Luna Loma. It features modern amenities, with a mix of uniquely curated design touches and classic colonial architectural details including hardwood floors and exposed wooden beams for added warmth and coziness.

Located in the very heart of Quito - and only five minutes to La Ronda - it’s ideally placed for touristic activities and would suit a couple perfectly.

Capacity | One bedrooms, two guests

Price | From £21 / $27 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Casa La Basilica

This simple but thoughtfully designed apartment is set within a beautiful restored 19th century home. Everything has been upgraded, including new floors, windows, kitchen and original solid wooden furniture. It’s even got high speed internet and a 24 hour security system.

Located very close to the Basilica (with spectacular views of this striking church form the windows), it’s walking distance to all of the best things to do in Quito.

Capacity | One bedroom, two guests

Price | From £24 / $31 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

La Casa del Herrero

Now, let us preface this recommendation with the statement that we know that this Airbnb is expensive. However, it’s simply too lovely not to recommend, and we wanted to let you know just in case you’re looking splurge, want something really lovely, or are not travelling on a measly backpacker budget.

Part of a 17th century colonial mansion (one of only 17 that remain in the city), the apartment has been beautifully restored with traditional and contemporary furniture to a really high standard. It is set over two floors, and includes a terrace/garden with spectacular views over Quito, as well as a further balcony in the master bedroom.

As you can imagine, it has a great location in the centro historico.

Capacity | Two bedrooms, three guests

Price | From £51 / $65 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Casa de los Leones

Another that is beyond the backpacker budget, but too lovely not to mention, is this utterly incredible artist’s residence for design conscious travellers looking for someone a little bit special. Decorated in a chic colonial style, it combines the historical essence with a contemporary touch.

Set over three floors, it has huge windows with lots of light allowing for the best view of Quito’s beautiful historic centre and its wonderful churches, a private jacuzzi, large terrace and access to a garden.

Capacity | One bedrooms, two guests

Price | From £54 / $69 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

If this is exactly the sort of thing you’re looking for consider this apartment or perhaps this one (which are both beautiful), especially if you’re travelling with a group of people as they both cater for up to six people.

La Mariscal | ‘New Quito’

This area is the city’s major nightlife hub with loads of bars, craft beer spots and nightclubs to entertain even the most ardent party goer - it’s also a surprisingly good spot for food, with a number of great options for when you just want western plates or a dirty burger.

However, as La Mariscal is part of ‘new Quito’, you’ll not find any beautiful colonial buildings here. Instead, pretty much every Airbnb offering is in a relatively new high-rise apartment block. Whilst this means you’ll not find beautifully period features, most rentals feature all mod-cons, sleek lines and even added bonuses like gyms and 24-hour concierge.

Contemporary and Stylish Studio

Whilst this is a studio (something we’re not always the biggest fans of), we’d stay here in a heart beat. Cozy but with contemporary design features including beautiful wooden floor boards, large windows and industrial accents, it offers something different to those seeking a base in ‘La Mariscal’.

It also has a well-equipped kitchen and access to a communal roof terrace.

Capacity | One bedroom area, two guests

Price | From £24 / $31 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Modern and Sleek apartment

Light, bright and airy, this ‘like-new’ apartment has all the amenities one would expect in a modern apartment, as well as being incredibly spacious for the price. There’s a really good sized kitchen, large windows overlooking the city, and it’s located slap-bang in the middle of the neighbourhood.

Capacity | One bedroom, two guests

Price | From £26 / $33 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Bright and Colourful Apartment

Located within recently built apartment block with its own concierge, the modern style apartment has lots of natural light, a well equipped kitchen and living space, plus a great view of Quito that can be enjoyed from the balcony. Colourful design pops make this Airbnb feel especially suited to younger travellers, as are fun little elements such as the interactive pin map.

Well located for the bars and nightclubs in the area, it’s on a quiet street meaning noise is kept to a minimum. There’s also a communal terrace and gym.

Capacity | Two bedrooms, five guests

Price | From £29 / $37 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Budget Bolt Hole Near Plaza Foch

One of the cheaper options in La Mariscal, this small but modern apartment is perfectly suited to a young couple (or single traveller) who wants to be a stone's throw from all the action of Plaza Foch. Large windows mean lots of light, the kitchen has all you need to cook a meal and there’s fast wifi.

Ideal for a short visit to Quito, when you plan on being out and about during much of the day. As a bonus, there’s 24 hour security and a small gym on-site.

Capacity | One bedroom, two guests

Price | From £23 / $29 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Another great option for La Mariscal on a budget is this little apartment. It’s pretty basic but modern, and at £13 ($17) per night, is incredibly good value (especially once you throw in it has wifi and access to a gym)

Pssst there’s a few airbnbs that, although lovely, were not ideally located for any of the tourist hotspots. If you’re just in Quito looking for a base to relax, or catch up on work, they would however be perfect. If this sounds like you, we’d recommend checking out this one, this one, and this one.

La Floresta | The Hipster Neighbourhood

This is Quito’s unequivocal hipster district.

It’s where you’ll find the city’s best street art, some of its coolest coffee shops and numerous artistic projects. Importantly for those that want a good night out, it’s also within walking distance of La Mariscal (or a cheap taxi, depending on time of night that you choose to crawl in!).

La Floresta is a however a neighbourhood for the community, more than a neighbourhood for tourists. This means that if you’re not speaking to locals, it can feel a little like things are behind closed doors. For this reason, we feel that Airbnbs here are particularly suited to those that plan to spend more than simply a few days in Quito checking off tourist list, particularly digital nomad types.

Spacious Penthouse Apartment

Another great option for those who prefer a more homely Airbnb experience, Vera’s place has exceptionally good reviews - especially from those that choose to spend more than a few days in Quito. On the eighth floor of an apartment block it has great views from its small balcony, lots of light, an abundance of plants and plenty of books to relax with.

It also has one of the best equipped kitchens we’ve seen and, as a huge plus for any digital nomad, a separate office with a desk big enough for two!

Capacity | Two bedrooms, four guests

Price | From £27 / $34.5 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Beautiful View in La Floresta

This minimalistic, but sleek and modern apartment has everything you need in addition to fantastic views of the city. It’s not the biggest space, but with a fitted kitchen (with all mod cons and everything you need to prepare proper meals), in an open plan space, it’s more than adequate for a couple. The bedroom’s a really good size too.

Capacity | One bedroom, two guests

Price | From £20 / $26 per night

For more information, or to check price and availability, click here

Light And Bright Apartment

If your apartment priorities include bright rooms filled with light, then this should be right at the top of your list. This two bedroom flat at the top of an apartment block has large windows throughout for a panorama view of Quito (including a wraparound window in the bedroom), oodles of space, a great kitchen and some quirky and colourful design touches.

It’s a little pricier than some of the others in this list, but we do feel that you get what you pay for with this one.