Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [134]
Lula’s B&B (27-2517, 9-34-2660; bbaqpe.com; Cerro San Jacinto, Cayma; s/d US$15/20) A charming apartment-style B&B run by a friendly Spanish teacher in the suburb of Cayma. Big discounts are given for extended stays. Meals (vegetarians OK) and airport and bus terminal pickups also available.
Colonial House Inn (22-3533; colonialhouseinn@hotmail.com; Av Puente Grau 114; s/d with breakfast S48/72; ) Peaceful, if slightly run-down, colonial house with friendly staff. Rooftop terrace with a garden and striking views of El Misti on clear days.
Hospedaje Familiar Thelma (28-6357; pensionthelma@hotmail.com; Palacio Viejo 107; s/d with breakfast S60/75) Recommended by readers, this quiet homestay’s hostess speaks Spanish, French, German, Italian and English.
Midrange
All hotels listed here have cable TV, unless otherwise stated.
Hostal Solar (24-1793; www.hostalsolar.com; Ayacucho 108; s/d with breakfast S90/150; ) This snazzy pick is clean and airy, with contemporary decor. Prices include touches like airport pickup and a buffet breakfast served on the rooftop terrace.
Hostal las Torres de Ugarte (28-3532; www.hotelista.com; Ugarte 401A; s/d/tr with breakfast S96/128/144; ) This is a friendly hostel in a quiet location behind the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. It has immaculate rooms with TVs and colorful wooly bedspreads. You’ll just have to ignore the cacophonous echoing hallways. Rates drop considerably in the low season.
La Casa de Melgar (22-2459; www.lacasademelgar.com; Melgar 108; s/d/tr incl buffet breakfast US$43/53/63; ) Housed in an 18th-century building, this hotel is nonetheless fitted with all the expected creature comforts. High-domed ceilings and unique decor lend the entire place an old-world feel. Comfy beds and tucked-away inner patios help make this a romantic hideaway within the city limits.
Hostal la Gruta (22-4631; www.lagrutahotel.com; La Gruta 304, Selva Alegre; s/d/ste with breakfast from US$45/55/65; ) Situated over 1km north of the city center, La Gruta (the Grotto) is a beautiful small hotel tucked away on a quiet residential street. Rooms are all tastefully furnished and have large windows or glass walls with views of the garden, as well as a refrigerator and bar; some also have fireplaces. The staff are wonderfully welcoming, too. Rates include airport pickup on request.
La Hostería (28-9269; lahosteria@terra.com.pe; Bolívar 405; s/d with breakfast US$51/61) Worth every dollar is this picturesque colonial hotel with a flower-bedecked courtyard, light and quiet rooms (with minibar), carefully chosen antiques, a sunny terrace and a lounge. Some rooms suffer from street noise, so request one in the back. Apartment-style suites (US$68) on the upper floors have stellar city views. Prices include airport pickup.
Hotel La Posada del Monasterio (40-5728; www.posadadelmonasterio.com.pe; Santa Catalina 300; s/d/tr incl buffet breakfast from S160/205/260; ) On a prime pedestrian corner, this hotel gracefully inhabits an architecturally mix-and-match building combining the best of the Old and New Worlds, especially popular with European tour groups. The comfortable modern rooms here have all the expected facilities. From the rooftop terrace there are fine views of the Santa Catalina convent across the street.
La Casa de Mi Abuela (24-1206; www.lacasademiabuela.com; Jerusalén 606; s/d/tr/q with breakfast US$54/54/70/85; ) The strong points of this hotel, which is often booked by tour groups, are its extensive grounds rattling with birdsong, plus deck chairs, swings, loungers and hammocks for kicking back. There’s also a small pool, games area, library and restaurant. The rooms are disappointingly substandard, however, with bizarre floor plans and a hodgepodge of different aged and styled furniture. The front-desk staff can be brusque.
Casa Arequipa (28-4219; www.arequipacasa.com; Av Lima 409, Vallecito; s/d US$55/65) Inside a cotton-candy pink colonial mansion in the gardens of suburban Vallecito,