Hotel Vila Santa

With 10 floors, the Hotel Vila Santa Miraflores rises above most of its neighbors along busy Avenida Alfredo Benavides. Squished between two medical clinics, the sterile-looking hotel and its wheelchair accessible front entrance could go by unnoticed. Originally a hostel, the three-pearl hotel has upped its game and interiors have far more personality than one might think when they approach the property at first. An eclectic collection of oil paintings adorn the bright lobby, which is dressed in romantic silver-and-teal furnishings. Upstairs, things have even more life to them, and the rooftop terrace and restaurant are both deservedly popular with previous guests. Colorful tchotchkes, potted flowers and plants, and bright clusters of tables and chairs all make for a cozy, eclectic look that helps make this hotel feel like a proper boutique option. Tourists looking for Lima's older heritage may feel too removed from the city center or trendy beaches, but visitors who don't mind hailing cabs and using the metro generally find little to fault with this hotel.

The safe Miraflores district has an abundance of beautiful gardens and shopping centers, as well as a beach scene that's popular with tourists. However, the hotel is much deeper inland than most of these, nearly in the more modern Surco district. A few minutes from the Ovalo Higuereta roundabout makes it easy to reach by car, but traffic is almost always busy and travel times reflect this. Sites like the Larcomar shopping center and the Malecon can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a half hour with traffic, and Huaca Pucllana and Museo de la Nacion from 20 to 45 minutes by car. Even closer attractions in Surco, like the Parque de la Armistad and Plaza Mayor, can still take up to 15 minutes on average. Similarly, it's recommended to budget at least an hour and a half for car travel to the airport, just in case. Luckily, cabs aren't too pricey, and the hotel staff are consistently noted as being attentive to helping guests from being overcharged.

The hotel's spacious rooms are modern and simple, with warm wood paneling on everything from floors to furniture. The style is a bit underwhelming, especially given the colorful decor in the hotel's common areas, but the rooms are clean and well-kept nonetheless. Standard features include 32-inch LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi, phones, desks, and a private bathroom come with all of them, though only the highest-category rooms have air-conditioning -- the rest come with fans. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the room bright, but noise can filter through in some rooms from the busy street or through thin walls. The comfy beds come in queen or twin sizes, and some have three single beds, making them convenient for groups or families. Bathrooms are neat, though some could do with an update. They're equipped with shower/tub combos plus soap dispensers and hairdryers. It's worth noting that the floor may get wet due to the half-panel of glass that doesn't fully enclose the shower. Higher-category rooms come with a mini-fridge, microwave, and safe, and sometimes even a jacuzzi bathtub.

There aren't a ton of features here, though generally the hotel has a bit more to offer than its mid-range competition in the neighborhood. The El Mirador de Vila Santa Restaurant on the hotel rooftop is charmingly designed with bright pops of pumpkin, goldenrod, teal, and fuschia against marble floors and white tablecloths. Casual fare is served on its open-air terrace, and the free breakfast includes healthy options plus various hot and cold dishes. The fitness room isn't much, but is fine for a basic workout, and consists of a tiny room with mirrored walls and limited cardio equipment. A small air-conditioned business room comes with desks, chairs, and an overhead projector. A free welcome cocktail is provided for all guests, as is indoor parking and use of the hotel's bicycles and helmets. Tour services, maps, and souvenir items for sale are on display at both the front desk and in the rear lobby. Airport transfers and cabs can be arranged with the 24-hour front desk. Public computers are available in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel.