Shining on the banks of Ecuador’s Pacific Coast, Bahía de Caráquez has earned a reputation as an eco-city, as well as a gateway to the country’s pristine mangrove forests, breathtaking bird sanctuaries and ancient archeological past. And now, the bay city has a new attraction — Casa Ceibo (http://www.casaceibo.com), a luxury, boutique hotel that’s a destination in and of itself.

Tucked in on the mangrove-lush shores just minutes from the historic city’s center, Casa Ceibo epitomizes easy, yet extraordinary elegance. It is also a showcase of Ecuadorian craftsmanship, which will officially be unveiled at Casa Ceibo’s Grand Opening in Bahía de Caráquez on Oct. 24, 2009. As of September 16, invitations were sent to Ecuador’s high-ranking local and national officials, plus notables within the media, fashion, lifestyle and celebrity scene. Select guests slated to stay at the exclusive 18-room Casa Ceibo will experience its signature accommodations, dining and amenities firsthand.

The vision for Casa Ceibo grew from a recent partnership between Daniel Jacome, drummer of Ecuador’s famed Tercer Mundo rock band, and Charles Van Diver, an established developer from the United States. Both will be present for the Grand Opening in Bahía de Caráquez, as well as a second debut event, scheduled for Oct. 28, 2009 at Quito’s Swiss Hotel. Catering to over 250 tour operators, ambassadors, Ecuadorian authorities and press, the invite-only Quito event promises to be an unforgettable bash that perfectly represents the diversity of Casa Ceibo’s unique, upscale offerings.

“Casa Ceibo is all about delivering a superior experience, and both grand opening celebrations will spotlight examples of this from the food to the wine, entertainment, service and overall ambiance,” Jacome says. “Our guests will taste samplings from our gold-medal, internationally award-winning chef, Hugo Jimenez, and sip house cocktails while hearing the sounds of Tercer Mundo and other Ecuadorian musicians in person. We’ll have famous Ecuadorian artists who’ve contributed to Casa Ceibo’s aesthetics on hand, as well as other local craftsman whose architectural talents can be seen throughout Casa Ceibo. Of course, our guests who attend the Bahía de Caráquez Grand Opening will see their handiwork in person, in addition to our impressive art collection, which includes pieces from such artists as Miranda, Kingman, Constante and Cattasse. Fashion designer and former Miss Ecuador, Maria Susana Rivadeneira, will attend at least one of the grand openings, and both celebrations will be thrilling, to say the least.”

For the Bahía de Caráquez Grand Opening, Casa Ceibo will coordinate VIP travel pickups to/from Manta Airport. Details for this event, as well as the Casa Ceibo Grand Opening in Quito, are available by contacting Jacome directly. Tour operators interested in private fam trips should contact the hotel.