Hotel Paracas
Hotel Paracas is on the Pacific Coast about 150 miles south of Lima, near Paracas town, and is ideally located for exploring the nearby Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines.
Renovated in 2010, Hotel Paracas has brought a breath of fresh air to Paracas. The hotel is open, airy and contemporary, from its glass walled bar with brightly coloured armchairs, to the more muted tones in the bedrooms.
There are 120 rooms and suites, all of which have terraces with a seating area. The Plunge Pool suites - as the names suggests - have small pools on one of their two terraces. Location and service are the winning formula, and Hotel Paracas has the best of southern Peru at its fingertips
Luxury yacht expeditions can also be organised to the Ballestas Islands, San Gallas and Chinca. Other jaunts for hotel guests only include a trip to Nazca Lines in a private Cessna, a desert adventure in 4x4's ending with supper under the stars, and a Pisco tour of the Hoja Redonda Hacienda in Chincha.
Children are just as welcome and can enjoy many of the activities, and the Explorer's Club will keep them entertained whilst the grown-ups sample the Peruvian piscos. On site facilities include a long dark blue swimming pool flanked by sun beds and day beds, at the end of which is a glass walled bar serving up the local cocktail, pisco sours. A family pool is conveniently located next to the playground; and there is a fantastic spa. Restaurant options include Ballestas Restaurant, which serves classic Peruvian dishes with a contemporary twist; and La Trattoria, an Italian restaurant renowned for its delicious and authentic pizzas.
Why We Love It
The hotel has its own jetty from where there are trips to the Ballestas Islands (affectionately known as their own Galapagos Islands) where sealions and birdlife are the star attraction.
La Hacienda Bahía Paracas
La Hacienda Bahía Paracas is in an ideal location overlooking Paracas Bay, and has bags of charm.
There are a total of 80 rooms, including suites that are split over 2 floors. All have flat screen teles, terracotta flooring, and small terraces with tables and chairs, finished with bourganvilla creeping up the side. The swimming pool laps onto the edge of the terraces of the first floor suites, which guests can swim directly out of.
The swimming pool is huge and irregular, flowing under bridges, and there is also a spa offering a range of the latest treatments.
The main restaurant, El Coral, is decorated with one of the world's largest sea shell collections and has sensational views of the bay, with great food to match. There is also a maritime bar which often plays live music, and a Spanish colonial cafe.
The hotel's location on Paracas Bay means that a variety of watersports an be arranged just metres from the hotel, and it also near to the Paracas National Reserve where an array of birds and sea lions can be spotted. Trips to the Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines can also be arranged, as well as activities such as sand boarding and driving 4x4 sand buggies.
Why We Love It
Opt for an outside table at El Coral in order to make the most out of the superb views of Paracas Bay.