Blog post update in 2016: Autor Estancia has been renamed Autor II, and is the sister property to Autor I,also located in Miraflores.
The best luxury hotels in Peru
Nestled on a quiet street in the upscale neighbourhood of Miraflores, Autor Estancia, opened in April 2016, is perfectly located near to Avenida La Mar, with its famous cevicherias and cafes, and a 7-minute walk to one of the best surf spots in the capital.
Autor Estancia is a stylish bed and breakfast spread across three floors of a former home. The property offers 6 rooms comprised of 1 King room (which can be split into a twin), Queens and Singles. Some have private balconies, open onto the garden courtyard or onto the communal roof terrace with a Jacuzzi. All rooms are slightly different reflecting the features of a renovated house, rather than purpose-built hotel, which adds to home-away-from-home charm. All feature modern en-suite bathrooms and the King room features a beautiful free-standing bath tub in the main bedroom in addition to the attached shower room.
Built as a house and then used as a print shop, the hotel’s décor is modern with clean lines and neutral tones but with touches of nostalgia to the building and Lima’s past. In the King room you can sit at a writing desk and discover the old-fashioned type-writer hidden away, while using their super-fast broadband: the epitome of old meets new. There are other quirky features to come across during your stay, like the front desk – a baker’s display cabinet given a new life.
The twisting staircase lit by a skylight pays homage to surfing legends that decorate the wall as you descend. The corridor walls and communal spaces are tastefully adorned with photography by Sergio Fernandez and vibrant paintings by Sherman Meléndez, both Peruvians renowned for their work.
There is an open kitchen where a chef prepares your breakfast, showcasing the local ingredients being used while interacting with guests. It certainly doesn’t feel like a professional kitchen but rather more like that of an upscale home; a homely feel that is continued throughout. There are inviting and cozy communal spaces, both in and outdoor where you can relax, admire the art, the views and plan your Peruvian adventure. The large outdoor terrace on the third floor offers views of the city and an inviting jaccuzi. The round seating area on the downstair patio by the kitchen encourages people to sit together and socialize. Complementary bikes are available for Autor’s ‘temporary residents’ to explore the area at their own pace.
This is the second hotel from owner Humberto Medrano, after Hotel de Autor which opened in 2014. Humberto says he is proud to preserve another old building and protect it from being torn down – the fate of many traditional buildings in the area, to make space for multi-storey apartment complexes.
With an ‘anti-boutique’ ethos, he feels the phrase ”boutique” is overused for small hotels. Describing himself as a ‘key-holder’ not a hotelier, he says he’s trying to create a cool and inviting space where curious, informed-travellers come to experience the real Lima, which you just won’t get at the big chain hotels. We think he’s achieved just that.