Exceptional Experience: Our Big 53rd Wedding Anniversary Surprise

Edd:  May 17 was our 14th expat anniversary. A few days ago we celebrated another milestone that to me is the most important day of the year—our 53rd wedding anniversary. This year I wanted to surprise you with something special.

Cynthia:  I don’t generally like surprises. But on the morning of our anniversary when you told me to pack an overnight bag because we were checking into Itza Hotel for the night, I was very excited.

E:  For a number of reasons we didn’t do much to celebrate last year, so I wanted to plan something memorable this time. We’ve been in most of the luxury properties in Cuenca, but this one opened in 2021 shortly after we left Ecuador to travel full time.

C:  As soon as we walked into the lobby—wow! We knew this was going to be great. So elegant.

E:  You assumed I had booked a regular room. Nope, only the best for you, my love. We were staying in a King Suite with two balconies overlooking the historic downtown area.

C:  The room—actually two rooms—was fabulous. When the staff member pointing out the amenities said, “Let us know if you get chilly. We’ll come up and turn on your heated floors,” we were like, “OK-a-a-y.” 😀

E:  First things first. We opened the champagne I brought along and just hung out taking it all in.

C:  We were told that dinner would be served at their ZaZa 360 Rooftop restaurant, so we went up to check it out and make a reservation.

E:  Holy cow! From the restaurant’s balcony the iconic view of the three blue domes of Cuenca’s cathedral was breathtaking. Knowing it was our anniversary, the maître ď kindly reserved our table directly facing that direction.

C:  Since Itza is a luxury boutique hotel there aren’t amenities like a gym or conference center. But, boy, do they have a swanky Whisky Lounge tucked away beside the lobby. It was like a page torn out of Architectural Digest and brought to life before our eyes.

E:  Several glasses of champagne later, it was time to head upstairs for dinner. The domes were perhaps even more stunning as the sun was setting.

C:  And the restaurant—oh my goodness. It is both intimate and magnificent.

E:  I loved the special touches like the personal note on our table and the way they folded our napkins in the shape of a heart. The plating was like a work of art, and the food was absolutely delicious.

C:  It was so nice to lounge around in our suite the next morning. Before packing up to go home we had a lovely breakfast in Santo Placer, Itza’s restaurant on the ground floor. Once again, superior quality in the design of the space and the food.

E:  Every single thing about our stay was perfect, wasn’t it? The location, only a block from Parque Calderón, the city’s main square. The hotel, room, food, service. We’ve had the privilege to be guests at many top hotels over the years, and I think Itza Hotel Boutique International ranks up there with any of them.

C:  Thank you so much for planning such a beautiful anniversary surprise for us. You said you wanted to do something memorable, and you most certainly succeeded. I’ll always remember and cherish this exceptional experience we spent together.