The tiny front desk, lack of an actual lobby, and small elevators might give a poor first impression of this upscale boutique hotel, but don't be deterred. Inside, spacious rooms are elegant (pale yellow striped walls, blue and white toile bedspreads), and have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and hydro massage showers. Additional highlights here include a wonderful (and expensive) restaurant with gorgeous views of the surrounding buildings, and a stylish rooftop lounge. While there is no parking, no fitness center, and the business center is basically a single computer, rates tend to be fair and the location on Gran Via is hard to beat. However, there is a pesky daily fee for Wi-Fi.

There’s nothing remarkable about this 54-room, aging hotel -- it has a fairly decent restaurant, nice park views from some rooms, a tiny fitness center in the basement, and little else. But rooms are large and comfy -- though a bit run-of-the-mill -- and come with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and Neutrogena toiletries. Its location in residential San Isidro, across from the Lima Golf Club, might not be the most convenient for those looking to be close to major tourist sites.