In February last year we reported on the latest hotel news in our blog article Aracari’s rundown of up-and-coming hotels in Peru. Now it’s time to revisit the luxury Peru hotels that we featured, and we’ve been in touch with our contacts to see what progress has been made…
Westin Lima
–> Open for business
The Westin, opened in May of 2011, has established itself as one of the finest hotels in Lima. The Aracari Team have since stayed at and toured the hotel and can tell you it is an excellent hotel befitting of the most discerning of guest. The 29 story building – the tallest in Lima – has 301 rooms, all of which are appointed with a swish and modern attire, all of which are spacious, and some of which feature a living room, kitchenette and extra bedroom. We saw some gorgeous suites on the higher floors with views right across the city down to the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant Maras is first class, top Lima chef Rafael Piqueras is behind the menu. The hotel is well situated for access to the airport and the commercial heart of Lima making it particularly well suited for business travellers or those just spending the night here. A nice feature of the bedrooms is a spacious desk for those in town on business.
Hotel Plaza de Armas Cusco
–> Open for business
Hotel Plaza de Armas opened earlier this month in Cusco, on the 5th of April. Located right on the city’s main square, it offers travellers a comfortable base in the heart of the city at a most reasonable rate. The entire property has been remodeled and appointed with tasteful and authentic attire, as well as excellent service.
There are 26 standard rooms and 2 suites, all with private bathroom, LCD television with Cable, direct telephone, wifi and sound proof windows. We have got our hands on some brand new pictures of this hotel, which are fabulous. We have not had the chance to inspect the hotel yet but will keep you posted as soon as we do.
Palacio Nazarenas
–> Due to Open June 15th
The days are counting down to the opening of one of Peru’s most hotly anticipated hotels, Palacio Nazarenas. The soft opening is set for June the 15th and we are already taking bookings for this hotel. The hotel will be formally opened on 16th of September.
During a recent visit to our office the Orient Express team explained that the hotel would differ significantly from Orient-Express’ other flagship hotel in Cusco, Monasterio, in that it had a more modern approach in its service and hospitality. While Monasterio is better suited to those looking for a traditional and historic experience in Cusco, Palacio Nazarenas is more sophisticated in such fine details as the room amenities (each guest will have an iPad loaded with information about Cusco, their choice of newspapers in their own language, for example), reataurant offerings, right down to the style of the staff uniforms.
Each of the hotel’s 55 suites will be appointed exceptionally and exquisitely – they are split between 12 Junior Suites, 31 Suites, 10 Grande Suites, 1 Nazarenas Suite and 1 Palacio Suite. Some of the suites in the lower three categories are quite unique in that the offer different views of the city and different features and quirks – these options are categorized as the “Z collection”.
The restaurant Senzo and the Poolside Bar offer Peruvian cuisine with a modern touch, and use locally sourced ingredients. The SPA experience at Hypnoze, meanwhile, is set to be spectacular with a menu of treatments that can be customized for guests. Amongst these are aromatherapy treatments using locally produced organic essential oils; special baths with flower rituals inspired by Inca ceremonies; a relaxation salon; and a tearoom offering herbal teas.
Those travelling with children will also get special treatment, with books, computer games on the iPad, DVD’s and children’s menu at the restaurants. There is even a special kiddie’s treatment at the SPA.
As such, Palacio Nazerenas will not be competing with Monasterio, rather broadening the options that this world class hotel chain offer in the city. We wrote an article on the hotel back in October which covers some more of the main details and includes photos.
Las Arenas de Mancora
–> Trial period complete, Due to open mid-September
Mancora’s latest accommodation option has just finished a trail period and will be officially opened in mid-September. When we spoke to representative Yasmine she told us that the property has 22 brand new suites which have access either to the beach or the swimming pool.
The unique aspect of this property is that it is one of the few places in the world where your suite can have direct access to palm lined stretches of beach, a mere 10 metres away. When the hotel reopens in September it will have a brand new restaurant, bar gym and spa, and possibly a slight tweak to the title. Watch this space!
J.W. Marriot Cusco
–> Due to Open late July
The brand new Marriot property is on the way, due to be opened in late July. The property will have 153 deluxe rooms, a Spa and two onsite museums amongst other features.
The property once housed the San Agustin Convent and Church, which were built in the 16th century. In a lively history the building was bombarded by the troops of Mariscal Gamarra as well as being damaged by the earthquakes of 1650, 1797, 1950 and 1987. The hotel aims to carefully maintain the aspects of the site, as well as reflecting different periods of Cusco’s history, covering the Pre-Inca, Inca, Colonial, Republican and Contemporary periods. This will hopefully give the hotel a quite unique character and provide a unique cultural and historical experience to all it’s guests…
Hotel Barranco
–> Under Construction, projected opening late 2012
The scaffolding around Hotel Barranco is up indicating that the restoration of this historic building is well underway. We’re still hopeful that the hotel will open in late 2012 and the Hotel Barranco team have confirmed this.
Hotel Nativa
–> Pending further news
We reported in February 2011 that Gaston Acurio was going to be opening a hotel in the Casa Moreyra in San Isidro, it now looks as though this Project will not go ahead. We have heard rumours that, instead, his flagship restaurant “Astrid y Gaston” will be relocated to Casa Moreyra though it is not clear when this will be opened. There are also rumours that Hotel Nativa will instead be located in the Sacred Valley. As ever we will keep you posted on developments.