High on a hill slope, in a residential area, stands this luxury hotel in a beautiful subtropical garden filled with huge, ancient trees. Camellias and azaleas bloom alongside bougainvillaea, hibiscus, poinsettia and cacti, and Colombo an ancient Galapagos tortoise dozes in the sunshine before retiring for the night to his bamboo hut. There are fountains and ponds and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers. Gleaming marble floors abound indoors. From your bedroom balcony you might see a full moon shining above the city lights across the valley, or watch the red skies of dawn. Our luxury suite had a spacious bedroom and a large sitting room; TV in each. All was quiet at night. Lunch is served at the poolside bar. A calm atmosphere reigns in the formal restaurant where elegant food is served with much dome lifting. Exquisite consommé, inventive main courses, pretty desserts. The multilingual menu didn't change but there was plenty of choice. Breakfast has a buffet with good juices; good brown toast, cooked dishes to order, but lots of little glass jars, and packaged butter. There sometimes is Muzak in the large public rooms but it is very quiet. Courteous staff run reception round the clock and you may take the courtesy car to the city centre