Casa del Merman: An Ecuador’s First
Brian Longstreth and Steve Sroufe are not the first gay Americans that have fallen in love with Ecuador and Montañita, but they are certainly the first fearless duo of friends-slash-investors-slash-fun guys that are putting their money where they’re mouth is: they’ve created the first clothing optional LGBTQ+ hotel in Ecuador. Just a decade ago, many of those words would have never been associated with accommodations in Ecuador, but Brian and Steve have their mind set in turning Montañita into Ecuador’s version of Puerto Vallarta: a safe, fun and economic oceanside haven for anyone under the rainbow.
Overwhelmed by the happiness of knowing this was happening in Ecuador, we contacted Brian and Steve on Facebook, and days later we got on a plane with friends and flew down to spend a day at Casa del Merman in Montañita, a small beach town on the Pacific Ocean located a couple hours away from Guayaquil. Like many have, one of our first questions was how did this project came to be. It started with Brian’s journey to search for the place where he would retire one day:
“After living in Florida my entire life, I wanted a beachfront, gay-friendly, warm and affordable location far from hurricanes; that quickly eliminated most of the Caribbean. Then I looked into Costa Rica, but quickly realized the gay-friendly area of Manuel Antonio was already pricey. Then I visited Panama, but found it to be very closeted, uncomfortably so. Ecuador kept coming up in my searches, and not knowing much about it, I decided to explore in person. I have heard about the surfing village of Montañita, which draws international visitors for its surf and for being quite the party beach town. One visit in 2007 and I was sold! It had the friendly laid-back welcoming vibe of old Key West, and the party atmosphere of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Every person I have brought here says almost the exact same thing. It’s hard to put in to words but Montañita is magical: there is much natural beauty, the people are friendly and welcoming, and it’s very gay-friendly. In 1999 Ecuador added sexual orientation as a protected class in their Constitution, in 2008 Ecuador legalized same sex civil unions, and in 2019 made same-sex marriage legal. On top of that, I was intrigued and happy when I found out their currency is the U.S. dollar. With new airports in Quito and Guayaquil, it is easy to fly direct from Miami or Fort Lauderdale with about a 4-hour flight. And during Daylight Savings Time in the U.S., Ecuador on the Pacific coast is the same time zone as the Atlantic Coast of the US.”
After visiting Montañita for several occasions through the years, Brian realized he not only wanted to retire here, but he wanted to share this town with the world. Cue Steve’s entry. With a shared dream and their combined experience in real estate and LGBTQ hospitality, they brough this project to fruition in 2022 with the purchase of a hotel that they have now modernized, upgraded, converted into a pool resort, and made 10 times prettier. You know, like gays do. But they’re not stopping there: the next step is to build condos on the same property that can be purchased inexpensively by full or part-time retirees and investors alike in a condo-hotel fashion, where they can help you manage and monetize the unused time of your condo by adding it into their hotel rooms inventory. It’s an investment that you can enjoy, but also profit from. Like Brian says: “Think if you had invested in Key West in the 60’s, Puerto Vallarta in the 70’s, or even St. Pete or Wilton Manors in the 90’s.”
As if that wasn’t enough in their plate, co-owners Brian and Steve have also invested into taking over and improving two of the beach bars in both ends of town, where hotel guests can mingle with other town visitors and locals after a day in the clothing-optional pool, learn to surf, enjoy tropical drinks and amazing sunsets, or just chill and enjoy the music and a toke while they swing in the hammocks. Additional hotel activities include surf lessons, yoga, hiking and biking. If by now you’re asking yourself how much will a vacation in this resort set you back, then prepare to be astonished: the nightly rate for a single room starts at US$20 (yes, TWENTY DOLLARS!) and includes a private bathroom and free wifi (with weekly and monthly discounts). You can have a nice oceanfront meal in town for about $8 per person, just ask any of the hotel or bar employees for suggestions. Brian, Steve and staff are always looking for ways to support the local community, whether it’s donating excess beds and linens to a local orphanage, or showcasing the local artist who painted the amazing murals you will find in both the hotel and the beach bar. So wait no more, Montañita and Casa del Merman are the new cool kid in the block, and they want to meet you.
Ecuador Pride Travel can get you to Montañita in one of our private Exploratory Tours for future retirees, or you can build your own custom itinerary and make this fun destination one of your stops during your visit to Ecuador and the Galapagos. To learn more about Casa del Merman or check availability, click on the link below the photos, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
If you own, operate or are starting an LGBTQ-targeted business in Ecuador, we would love to hear from you and feature you in our blog, please send us an email.