Lima
Peru’s economy is doing well, although you wouldn’t know it from the popularity ratings of President Alejandro Toledo. While the pool of top-end hotels is small, they excel at service. Lima is also a good gastronomy destination.
Sleeping
Swissötel. This polished property in the San Isidro neighborhood has welcomed international guests for years. The executive floor offers special perks for business travelers, including meeting rooms and a private lounge with an open bar. Supersaver rates on the hotel Web site begin at $160. Amenities include a pool and a fitness club with a tanning salon. www.lima.swissotel.com
Miraflores Park Plaza. Orient-Express operates this boutique hotel. All rooms have highspeed Internet and boardrooms can be reserved for meetings. The Park Plaza sets itself apart with its extras – from the cool towels it has waiting at the lobby door for joggers during summer months to the cocktails served poolside on the roof. Rooms from $210. www.mira-park.com
Country Club Lima. The spot for Old World elegance. While the architecture is classic and the furnishings real antiques, this old hotel facing El Olivar Park has no shortage of technology, including highspeed Internet. Free shoe shines and cell phone rentals are among the extras. Rooms start at $100. www.hotelcountry.com
Holiday Inn Select. It may offer fewer amenities than its more traditional competitors – but not by much. Business services are available around the clock, a buffet breakfast is included in the room rate (which starts at $69), and there’s a pool for when meetings are over. www.hiselect.com
Relaxing
El Monasterio. You have to fly to Cuzco to take advantage of this refuge, but it’s well worth it. Arguably one of the most breathtaking inns on the continent, this aptly named hotel – it’s a real monastery leased from the Catholic Church – has been lovingly refurbished. Guest rooms may be on the small side, but the space has been maximized. One push of a button and a tabletop opens to reveal a television set. Don’t worry about the altitude: Extra oxygen is pumped through the ventilation system into the guest rooms. www.orient-express.com
Eating
Brujas de Cachiche. This restaurant’s curious name refers to the Indian shamans that once congregated in Cachiche, near the Peruvian city of Ica. The eclectic décor includes feathered walking sticks that once belonged to traditional healers as well as shaman dolls and other paraphernalia. But the best part is the food – an ample selection of traditional Peruvian dishes. www.brujasdecachiche.com.pe
Astrid y Gastón. Chef Gastón Acurio and his wife Astrid have parted ways but the Miraflores district restaurant they started remains popular. The creative menu combines international and re-invented Peruvian dishes in a classy setting. Acurio holds a degree of local fame thanks to a TV cooking show he hosts. At Cantuarias 175, phone: 51-1-444-1496.
Drinking
Once-staid Lima has developed a lively bar scene with a slew of stylish clubs popping up along Conquistadores Avenue in the San Isidro neighborhood. The hottest of these watering holes include Masai, where “only the name is African.” High-decibel electronic music reigns and the drinks of choice include martinis made with pisco or Red Bull “bulltinis.” A stone’s throw away, Lima’s well-heeled quaff Cuban mojitos and “other rum things” while sampling Thai-Japanese fusion food at Asia de Cuba at Avenida Conquistadores 780; phone: 51-1-222-4940. Salsa and merengue rule the dance floor. The sophisticated scene is found at Miraflores’ Huaringas Bar (in the Brujas de Cachiche restaurant) where bartenders concoct outstanding pisco sours and maracuya (passion fruit) sours.
www.brujasdecachiche.com.pe
Shopping
The Incas, and the Moches and Chimus before them, boasted metallurgy skills far more advanced than in Europe. That legacy still lives. Stunning silver designs – both traditional and contemporary – are found at Ilaria’s five stores (one of which is at the airport). www.ilariainternational.com