Peru is remarkably diverse when it comes to traveling experiences; from the Nazca Lines carved into the desert in the southwest, to the turquoise water of Máncora and, of course, the bucket-list favorite Inca archeological site, Machu Picchu.
Whether you have ten days, two weeks, or more to explore Peru, you’re guaranteed to have a fascinating itinerary of sights to visit.
Alongside, you’ll want a range of welcoming and unique places to rest your head along the way.
To help, I’ve compiled this list of Peru’s best hotels and guesthouses for all the destinations you might visit – plus a couple of destinations you perhaps haven’t considered yet.
I’ve traveled all across the country working on guidebooks and multiple research trips for this website. I’ve stayed in everything from backpacker hostels to five-star hotels, giving me a unique perspective on what’s worth the cash (and what most definitely isn’t!).
Some hotels are also definitely worth traveling to the region to visit (Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion, we’re looking at you!), while others will just be a pleasant place to stay while you explore the surrounding area.
Looking for a complete list of the country’s finest high-end properties? Read my other guide to the 30 best luxury and boutique hotels in Peru.
The best hotels in Lima, Peru
1. Mid-range: Second Home Peru
The trendy Barranco neighborhood is one of the focal points of Lima – home to uber-chic cafes and chic bars in restored mansions. When it comes to this neighborhood known as a hub for poets, artists, and creatives, there’s nowhere better to stay than at Second Home ($135 USD double).
Things to consider
This grand, eight-room guesthouse is one of the homes of Peruvian sculptor Victor Delfin, who you might even spot pottering around the house if you’re lucky.
Each room is unique. Some offer the azure blue Pacific ocean view, while others face the lush garden – where you’ll see Delfin’s iconic “Laughing Horse” sculpture.
We recommend room Mirador 3 (S/754 or $195 USD double), which is located in the top corner of the house and from where you can soak up the ocean view from the windows, the balcony, and the hammock by the deck.
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2. Mid-range: Innside by Melia Lima Miraflores
A four-star hotel within Miraflores, an upscale district right next to Lima’s Pacific coast, INNSiDE by Melia Lima Miraflores ($154 USD double) offers a sense of urban calm amongst the skyscrapers, shopping areas, and museums of the Peruvian capital.
Things to consider
When you want to relax away from the noise of the city, head to the hotel’s rooftop where you’ll find a heated swimming pool. While the ocean isn’t visible from here, the city views – especially during sunset – are remarkable.
The hotel’s simple, modern design extends from the lobby to the guest rooms, where the interiors are predominantly painted white, with slick urban touches.
3. Budget: Selina Miraflores
Located in Miraflores and offering a youthful, friendly vibe, Selina Miraflores (S/205 or $53 USD double) is our budget pick. Even though it’s a hostel, a slew of comfortable and stylishly presented private rooms with private bathrooms are available.
Things to consider
Moreover, the hotel’s two lifts allow you to navigate easily, even with your luggage.
The standard double rooms are huge, with a queen-sized bed and seating area. Each room in the hostel has a mural painted by a Limeño artist, making it a superb choice of Peru hotel if you want to learn more about the country’s street art culture.
They also have spacious bunk beds in spacious dorm rooms, alongside lockers and shared bathrooms, as well as fully-furnished apartments – in a second tower two doors down – with kitchens and, in some cases, balconies.
Read more about our first-hand experience spending a couple of nights in this design hotel in our article about Selina Lima.
The best hotels in Arequipa, Peru
4. Luxury: CIRQA – Relais & Châteaux
Think traditional Arequipean architecture mixed with grandeur: this is what CIRQA Relais & Châteaux ($581 USD double) – also known as the Parador – offers in the heart of Arequipa’s historic center.
Things to consider
The hotel has just 11 rooms, meaning every guest can expert personalized attention – as well as access to massages and a spa, plus a 24/7 concierge service.
The Parador first opened back in 1540 – the same year Arequipa was founded – and underwent a renovation in 1883. As a result, this luxury hotel offers a unique and historical atmosphere no others can replicate. This extends to all 11 rooms, built around two intimate patios.
There are three room types, each with its own style of high-vaulted ceilings and luxurious interior resplendent with the rich, artistic style of Arequipa.
5. Budget: Selina Arequipa
Like its sister in Lima, Selina Arequipa (S/54 or $14 USD dorm, S/116 or $30 USD double) is not an ordinary hostel. In fact, it’s a three-star hotel with dorms housing six to twelve beds and private rooms with private bathrooms, too.
Things to consider
The shared dorms feature comfortable bunk beds with privacy curtains. Lockers with keys are available, plus you’ll have a small box at the foot of your bed in which to keep your belongings. That’s where you’ll find a charging socket as well.
Selina Arequipa is on Calle Jerusalén, five blocks away from Plaza de Armas – the hub of the city and a most unmissable place to hang out and catch the atmosphere of Arequipa. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and bars on this street. From here, you only need to walk north, crossing the river, to reach Parque Selva Alegre, the city center’s biggest park.
Need more options? Read our guide to the best hotels in Arequipa for more recommendations for the White City.
The best hotels in Cusco, Peru
6. Luxury: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
For understated, tasteful luxury, few places can top the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas ($595 USD double).
Things to consider
Part of the Belmond chain (who run the luxury train to Machu Picchu as well as the Andean Explorer from Cusco to Arequipa), this is indeed the top of the top when it comes to the best hotels to stay in Cusco.
Built on the foundations of a former Inca palace and with preserved Inca stonework for good measure, this hotel drips with luxury, from the outdoor pool to the spa and oxygen-enriched suites, which ensure you’re never short of breath.
These bedrooms include four poster beds and private balconies with city views, plus your own personal butler who’ll book tours of the city, provide room service and even show you how to prepare the ultimate pisco sour.
What’s more, with only 55 suites, it’s slightly smaller than the Belmond Hotel Monasterio (S/1,393 or $360 USD) next door, ensuring a more boutique feel to your stay.
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Alternatively, if you’re looking to book your trip to Peru through a local operator, check out this 15-day Best of Magical Peru tour from our trusted partner in Peru, Valencia Travel.
Hitting the country’s absolute highlights, this incredible tour will take you to unmissable Peruvian destinations including Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, Arequipa, Puno, and the Amazon Jungle.
7. Luxury: Inkaterra La Casona
Part of the exclusive Relais and Chateaux chain of international luxury hotels, Inkaterra La Casona ($440 USD double) is housed in a 16th-century colonial mansion and boasts just 11 bedrooms for a blissfully tranquil stay.
Things to consider
All are suites with freestanding bathtubs, heated floors, open fires, and colorful Andean textiles to capture the rich history and culture of the city.
There’s also a spa and restaurant here to ensure absolute comfort during your stay, while a relaxing courtyard provides the opportunity to while away the hours with a book or drink in hand and enjoy the complimentary tea time or happy hour.
8. Mid-range: Quinta San Blas
An old colonial mansion has been lovingly restored to make the beautiful Quinta San Blas (USD 130 double) an understated boutique hotel in a quiet part of the San Blas neighborhood.
Things to consider
Bedrooms have crisp white linens and blue statement decorations and look out onto a sunny courtyard area. Light blue walls and natural wood balconies surround the interior patio of this boutique hotel.
The breakfast isn’t the most complete, but wonderfully hot showers and its location close enough to the main sights of Cusco but far away enough to be quiet and relaxed are huge bonuses here.
The best hotels in Aguas Calientes, Peru
9. Luxury: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Those familiar with five-star hotels in Peru may well have heard of Inkaterra. This chain is run by the world’s first climate-positive hotel brand, which has been actively supporting sustainability efforts in and around Machu Picchu.
Things to consider
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo ($548 USD double) offers more than other Peru resorts. Its 12-acre (4.8 hectares) property is nestled in the cloud forest, which houses over 200 species of birds and 300 native orchids.
Stay at one of their 83 whitewashed houses, which fit the ambiance of Aguas Calientes with their rustic but tasteful décor. Upgrade to Superior Deluxe room (S/2,334 or $602 USD double) to have an indoor fireplace – the perfect cozy spot for curling up with a good book or company.
10. Mid-range: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu Hotel
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu Hotel ($113 USD double) is the most affordable and strategic Peru hotel in Aguas Calientes and offers fantastic cloud forest views, while still being within walking distance of the town’s artisanal market and restaurants.
Things to consider
So if modern comfort and a convenient location – without breaking the bank – are key prerequisites for choosing a hotel in Peru, this is your best option.
All 43 rooms are simply designed, with little Andean details added here and there. You can choose between queen-sized beds or singles, as well as your view: either the Urubamba River or the mountains that surround Aguas Calientes.
Book a suite (S/878 or $227 USD double) for the best of both worlds: mountain and river views from your semi-private balcony.
The best hotels in Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley, Peru
11. Luxury: Skylodge Adventure Suites, between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba
Skylodge Adventure Suites ($400 USD per person) is unlike any other hotel. Staying at this Peru mountain hotel is like sleeping in a condor’s nest, 400 meters above the ground.
Things to consider
Not for those with vertigo, this hotel delivers when it comes to views: wake up each morning to 300-degree panoramas of the mystical Sacred Valley beneath.
It should come as no surprise that Skylodge is one of our top picks of the best hotels in the Sacred Valley.
The rooms are inside three completely transparent aluminum and polycarbonate capsules suspended from the top of the mountain. Breakfast is served with views from the dining area, while the braver can enjoy the vantage point from the open balcony.
Visible for miles around, these pods are a one-in-a-lifetime experience, particularly because a via Ferrata or hike and zipline are required to get here. At the end of your stay, you’ll zipline down to the valley floor.
This ziplining fee is included in the nightly rate, along with a breakfast and gourmet dinner. Note that the zipline ride has a 265 lbs (120 kg) weight limit.
12. Mid-range: El Albergue, Ollantaytambo
Located within the train station, but home to a lush garden and suntrap terrace, El Albergue ($142 USD double) is a tranquil place to while away the evening.
Things to consider
Not only does it have a great location if you’re heading onwards by rail to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (you won’t need to join any queues for the train!), but this pretty guesthouse has a fantastic on-site restaurant that cooks up ingredients from the hotel’s organic vegetable garden.
Bedrooms might be rustic but they’re perfectly comfortable and some have views across the garden from their balconies. You can even sign up for cooking classes to learn how to make pachamanca, one of Peru’s traditional dishes.
The best hotels in Iquitos, Peru
13. Mid-range: Doubletree By Hilton Iquitos
Is there any better place to stay when looking for the best hotels in Iquitos than at the hotel overlooking the town’s central park? Doubletree By Hilton Iquitos (S/607 or $157 USD double) sits right at the heart of the town, overlooking the Plaza de Armas.
Things to consider
Rooms are modern and large and all have access to the hotel’s pool – which feels decadent if you’re coming back from a hot and sweaty Amazon tour. Even if you’re not up for swimming, you can kick back and relax by the pool at the on-site Casiri Bar & Lounge and sip on an icy pisco sour.
Besides the facilities, this hotel has a prime location, offering easy access from and to the airport and the port linked to the Amazon River; both are less than three kilometers away (around 10 minutes).
14. Mid-range: Casa Morey
Casa Morey ($76 USD double) gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the ambiance of the bygone era right by the Itaya River of the Peruvian Amazon. As you can tell from its name, this hotel was once the house of Morey. He was a wealthy rubber baron, transporting rubber balls on his own steamships. You can see some of the restored ships at the Museum of Historic Boats.
Things to consider
Morey built the house in 1913. After a series of renovations, adding a blend of Victorian and Amazonian styles, it is now one of Peru’s best hotels.
Each of its 14 rooms, like the common areas, is donned by vintage furniture and household. If this is your cup of tea, you’ll love the small details they add, such as a rotary dial phone and oil lamp.
The best Amazon lodges near Puerto Maldonado
15. Mid-range: Tambopata Research Center
Tucked deep into the Reserva Nacional Tambopata, an area considered remarkably rich when it comes to biodiversity, the Tambopata Research Center ($830 USD double all-inclusive) is the remotest of the Amazon lodges and requires a day’s traveling to get here.
Things to consider
But when you do, you’ll quickly learn why this lodge is considered one of the best in the region. Not only has the lodge been a pioneer in environmental protection in the Peruvian Amazon, but they’ve also worked with local indigenous people to help protect their ancestral lands.
Accommodation is comfortable (we recommend the suites for a much larger, quieter room), while its remote location just a short distance from the world’s biggest macaw clay lick make it a phenomenal place to encounter wildlife including jaguars, giant river otters, and harpy eagles.
16. Luxury: Inkaterrra Hacienda Concepcion
If you’re seeking to head into the jungle but without the day-long boat journey from Puerto Maldonado, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion ($390 USD double all-inclusive) ticks all the boxes.
Things to consider
Offering rustic luxury (think spotless wooden cabins opening out onto the rainforest and slung with silky mosquito nets to protect you from any unwelcome visitors) and a location just 45-minutes downstream, this lodge is the perfect introduction to the delights of the Amazon.
With wildlife tours, including night hikes and boat trips to nearby lakes, you can expect true immersion into this remarkable ecosystem – although if spotting a hugely diverse range of wildlife is your motivation for visiting, you might want to check out their other lodge, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica ($475 USD double all-inclusive), which lies further east along the Río Madre de Dios.
Bear in mind, both lodges tend to book up months in advance, so if you like the sound of luxury accommodation, Amazon style, then this is the choice for you.
The best hotels in other parts of Peru
17. Luxury: Arennas Máncora
Máncora is arguably home to the best beaches, and best beach hotels, in Peru. One of them is Playa Las Pocitas, a 20-minute, five-kilometer drive north of the town itself, where you’ll find Arennas Máncora ($305 USD double), one of the region’s most beautiful beachside accommodations.
Things to consider
Since the sun shines all year long in this part of Peru, the ocean view from many of the hotel’s rooms is always guaranteed to be mesmerizing. Even better, some have direct access to the white sand beach. Splurge a little more and book the Arennas Hyrdomassage Villa ($534 USD double), where you’ll have a private spa pool to yourself, plus those all-important ocean views.
18. Mid-range: Tierra Viva Trujillo
Sitting not far from the Plaza de Armas, Tierra Viva Trujillo ($100 USD double) provides easy access to Victor Larco Herrera, where you’ll find the city’s main shopping area, plus it’s a short taxi journey from local star attraction, Chan Chan.
Things to consider
This hotel might be located within a soulless tower block, but the hotel’s design and clean but chic bedrooms make up for this fact. Like most Tierra Viva accommodations, it’s simple, yet modern and offers more than just comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep.
An ample breakfast is included every morning at the on-site restaurant, which has a rooftop area with city views.
19. Mid-range: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca, Puno
Puno isn’t the prettiest of places but visitors flock here nonetheless with their eye on one prize: the Uros Islands. These floating reed islands are located on Lago Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake and which is split in two by the border between Peru and Bolivia. For the best views of this vast body of water, you can’t beat GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca ($88 USD double), which sits on the tiny Isla Esteves and is connected to the mainland by a road bridge, just a short taxi ride from Puno.
Things to consider
The hotel’s 123 rooms are basic with standard amenities, such as a TV, minifridge, shower and bath, king-sized or twin beds, and complimentary Wi-Fi. But each one boasts fantastic lake views, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
The lake and its surrounding area – including the hotel – sit at a high altitude of 3,800 meters (12,507 feet). This makes the on-site 24-hour oxygen bar one of the hotel’s highlights, as it can be a crucial help when you need to recover from altitude sickness quickly.