Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [280]
Sleeping
Decent budget places are thin on the ground in Trujillo, but pay a little extra and you’ll be soaking up colonial ambience. Some travelers prefer to stay in the nearby beach town of Huanchaco.
BUDGET
Hostal Lima (23-2499; Ayacucho 718; s/d S10/15) If you’ve been on a tour of Alcatraz and thought ‘I could live here,’ this is your chance. The prison-bare, cell-like rooms in this secure building are sometimes used by supershoestringing gringos.
Hospedaje el Conde de Arce (29-1607; Independencia 577; r per person S20) With a giant, cluttered patio, this is a simple, safe and budget lodging right in the center. The rooms are weathered, but it’s not a bad deal by Trujillo standards.
Hostal el Ensueño (20-7744; Junín 336; s/d S22/32) After navigating the narrow and dark hallways here, you will find clean rooms with giant bathrooms. The owners also run Hostal El Encanto (Junín 319), located across the street with cheaper but danker rooms.
Hotel Primavera (/fax 23-1915; N de Piérola 872; s/d S22/40; ) You can’t miss the pseudo-modern, semicircular blue flourishes lining the side of this ’70s relic. It’s only slightly shabby, fairly clean and convenient to several northbound bus stations. The invigorating concrete pool may help you overlook the general mustiness.
Hotel San Martín (/fax 25-2311; San Martín 745; s/d S36/56) Although characterless, this massive hotel (furnished with faux-wood floor tiles for insta-charm) is fair value for rooms with cable TV and phone. It has a restaurant and bar.
Hostal Almagro (22-3845; Almagro 748; s/d/tr S45/60/70) No pretensions of a colonial past here, just modern, well-maintained, sparse rooms with TVs and glistening bathrooms. There’s a cafe downstairs.
Gran Hotel Turismo (24-4181; Gamarra 747; s/d S45/69; ) Live out your swinging Austin Powers fantasies at this hotel, which has its original hip decor, hallways the length of football fields and spotless, cozy rooms. Everything here is decked out in the ‘latest’ ′60s trends. Groovy.
MIDRANGE
Most of these hotels can be noisy if you get the streetside rooms. All hotels here have hot showers and many offer discounts to walk-in guests.
Hostal Colonial (25-8261; hostcolonialtruji@hotmail.com; Independencia 618; s/d/tr S55/85/110) Easily a winner in the midrange category, this tastefully renovated, rose-colored colonial mansion has a great location just a block from the Plaza de Armas. Chatty and helpful staff, a tour desk, a pleasant courtyard and a garden synergistically come together to keep attracting travelers. Cozy rooms have hot showers, and some have balconies and great views of Iglesia de San Francisco opposite.
Hostal Solari (24-3909; Almagro 715; s/d with breakfast S60/92) A contemporary spot, this place has massive, sensibly decorated ‘executive’ rooms, which feature polished floorboards, a separate sitting area, excellent mattresses, cable TV, mini-fridge and phone. A cafe provides room service, and the helpful front-desk staff will arrange tours, confirm airline tickets and try to do whatever you need.
Pullman Hotel (47-1645, 47-0517; Pizarro 879; s/d S74/92; ) The swanky lobby here faces a pedestrian street near the Plazuela el Recreo and therefore doesn’t suffer from much street noise. Neat and spotless, the parquet-floored rooms boast a minibar, cable TV and phone with internet connection. The fake antique chairs look a little out of place.
Hotel Peregrino (20-3990; Independencia 978; s/d with breakfast S75/90; ) No backyard? Plant an indoor garden! The green atrium downstairs is lovely, and the rest of the hotel is clean, pleasant and quiet. Carpeted, comfortably furnished rooms have minibar, cable TV, phone and writing desk. Suites have Jacuzzis and a sitting area. Midnight munchies can be quelled by room service and the front desk strives to please.
Real Hotel (/fax 25-7416; crealh@viabcp.com;