A garden walk away, El Monestario de Cusin's white buttressed walls, towers, parapet, cloisters and garden and fountain courtyards, and 15 spacious guestrooms add distinction to an ancient landscape.

The 40 acre complex, including its valley farm, Gualavi, is at 8,500 ft. in the Ecuadorian sierra, 90 minutes north of Quito, on the outskirts of the village of San Pablo de Lago and its two mile crater lake.

The mountains of Cotocachi (15,300 ft.), Mojanda and Imbabura (15,250 ft.) dramatize the green landscape and Laguna San Pablo reflects the scene. Twelve miles south, the Equator passes through the snows of Cayambe (18,997 ft.). Cusin's white walls and terracotta tiles nestle beneath a deep blue sky in a wide, pastoral valley. It is the antithesis of urban life.

40 Guestrooms, suites and garden cottages each have private bathrooms and garden and mountain views. 33 guest rooms have kiva fireplaces, beamed ceilings and furnishings of antique reproduction beds and Indian crafts. From the tower of 25, a double suite with roof terrace and private garden, Frederic Church's 19th century landscape can still be seen. Garden cottage suite, 10 with its pond and mountain view, is magical and private. The spacious Dueños Suite, available for guests, is furnished with antiques and crafts. Public rooms have log burning fireplaces.

Activities at Hacienda Cusin include horseback riding, mountain biking, other sports (such as basketball, squash, and volleyball), and even Spanish classes.