Enjoy your lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants overlooking the Plaza de Armas. You’ll be treated to a spectacular view of La Catedral.
A year ago I had never even heard of Arequipa. Today, I just cannot stop raving about it.
We were never even supposed to go there. We were supposed to be roughing it on the Inca Trail in route to Machu Picchu, shopping with the locals and relaxing in the beautiful city of Cusco nestled deep in the Andes Mountains, then heading back to Lima for some quick sight-seeing before heading back to the States. But, alas, even the best-laid plans are not impervious to derailment. So, just a few weeks before our scheduled departure, we found ourselves delving back into the guidebooks, searching desperately for something to fill a nearly week-long gap in our itinerary.
After experiencing the unique culture and landscape of the Lake Titicaca town of Puno, learning to live like the locals on Isla Taquile, and marveling at the centuries-old traditions of the Uros people who live on floating islands, we decided to head back into an urban setting and Arequipa, located between Puno and Lima, seemed the perfect fit. After all, it was close to the spectacular Colca Canyon, which Justin desperately wanted to see, and the expansive Santa Catalina monastery, which sounded great to me.
This beautiful colonial-style city in Peru’s Canyon Country is known as the “White City” for its buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone (which, coincidentally, is in abundant supply thanks to the two volcanoes sitting just outside the town). Arequipa has grown into Peru’s second largest city, and its historical, colonial style downtown has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for it’s incredible architecture and historical significance. Pretty impressive for a city I had never heard of!
So when it came time to find a place to stay in Arequipa, I decided instead of going for the super-cheap, bare-bones, roof-over-your-head accommodations, this time I would look for a place with the 3 C’s: Character, Comfort, and Charm. (I usually only concern myself with one C — Cost!)
This search led me to La Casa de Melgar, located just a few blocks away from the Plaza de Armas and the Santa Catalina Monastery. After doing due diligence on my research, I was sold. This place had everything we were looking for!
1.) Character
When the hotel website equated a stay here with a stay at the Santa Catalina Monastery, I was irreversibly smitten. The style mirrors the 18th Century Spanish Colonial style of much of the town and is made of the famed sillar. Walking through the halls, passing underneath archways and vaults, gives visitors the impression they are in a monastery or a Spanish villa.
2.) Comfort
The bedrooms made me feel as though I was sleeping in a castle — or a cave! — though they were very light and airy, with windows that open outwardly and if you’re lucky, you had a room with a skylight!
They also have a delicious breakfast each morning that’s included with your room. Eggs, toast, jams, fresh fruit, coffee, and fruit juices. Don’t sleep in too late! Allow some time to savor this meal.
3.) Charm
Quaint. Cozy. Adorable. This place is downright enchanting. It was once home to Arequipa’s Bishop Miguel Segundo Ballon at the end of the 19th Century. Although it has been renovated to function as a hotel, it still maintains the intimacy of a home — despite the fact that it has open courtyards and high vaulted ceilings!
How to make it happen
La Casa de Melgar is located four blocks northeast from the Plaza de Armas at Melgar 108 Cercado. Room rates start at just over 60 USD/night and go up to around 100. You can make your reservations online or give the hotel a call directly. The staff was very friendly and eager to accommodate not only our stay, but also to help us find our way around town! The hotel staffs the front desk overnight, so you can call them anytime from anywhere in the world to book your stay at this gem in the heart of Arequipa.
What’s the best hotel you’ve stayed at around the world?
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20 comments in this article
May 8, 2012 am31 10:33
This hotel certainly has a lot of charm, but otherwise it looks pretty basic to me. Particulalrly the bath room. But, I guess, uit doesn’t matter because the undeniable charm makes up for it. My best ever is a riad in Marrakesh, Riad Altair. Tons of charm and incredible luxury, like copper sinks, handcarved furniture, silk cushions and roses, roses, roses. And, not much more than $100 per night too, which is incredible for Marrakesh.
inka recently posted..Coming up - Cappadocia with the Old Age Pensioners
May 9, 2012 pm31 23:06
I guess the bathrooms are basic … but the rest of the hotel is, well, like i said, charming. It’s not a luxury hotel by any means. But it’s comfortable and cute.
May 8, 2012 pm31 15:02
I can totally appreciate where you’re coming from with not having heard of a place, visited it, fell in love, had a blast, and can’t stop raving about it. I’m glad you are. My husband has long wanted to go to Peru. It never appealed to me. Now that you’ve written about it though? I’m contemplating it more seriously!
Courtney Mroch recently posted..Are Spirits More Active During a Supermoon?
May 9, 2012 pm31 23:08
Courtney — So glad you are getting a bit more excited about the possibility of a Peru trip! One thing that concerned me when we were planning our trip there was that i felt like Peru was not that unique, that too many people had visited there. I like to go to places where no one else I know can say they’ve been. But, after visiting Peru, I definitely came to see why it is that so many people have gone there: because it’s incredible. I spent most of the trip just saying wow. We’ll be finishing up our series on Peru over the next few weeks by covering Lima and re-capping.
May 8, 2012 pm31 20:55
Looks adorable, you know a lot of the accommodation there is really affordable. I stayed in a hospedaje for $10 a night and it was my own room, shower, television and wifi - I’m pretty sure the hostel dorms there are $12 a night - worth it to look around and stay elsewhere.
Ayngelina recently posted..How Hawaiian cowboys sing happy birthday
May 9, 2012 pm31 23:09
Yeah, we wanted something more than a hostel for this trip, though. We usually try to stay in hostels or really cheap hotels.
May 8, 2012 pm31 21:02
the photos are great. i love the texture and the color of the hotel. yes, the room feels like you’re indeed sleeping in a castle. hotel seems like you’re traveling back in time. so beautiful
Gladys | ByahengBarok.com recently posted..And Mom Becomes a Traveler, Too
May 9, 2012 pm31 23:10
Gladys — the colors really were great, along with the texture. A lot of character. Thanks for reading!
May 8, 2012 pm31 22:51
That is a beautiful hotel! I would love to stay there (and seeing Peru Wouldn’t be too bad either…
May 9, 2012 pm31 23:11
Peru’s definitely worth it. Hope you can make it there sometime.
May 9, 2012 am31 1:01
Super sweet hotel, I’d love to stay there. Planning some South America soon, can’t wait!
Angela recently posted..A trip a photo – In Abu Dhabi port, bringing ancient myths back to life
May 9, 2012 am31 11:54
Oh wow - and I thought our Arequipa hotel was nice! Gorgeous
Andrea recently posted..The Party Before the Exams: Norway’s Russ
May 10, 2012 am31 10:31
I love the courtyards! It looks like you’re staying in a private castle instead of a hotel. How charming!
May 16, 2012 pm31 19:19
That’s how we felt!
May 11, 2012 am31 4:41
Wow! I am amazed by the Santa Catalina Monastery! I wish I could spend some days at that beautiful place! I really like that authentic south american atmosphere.
Sabine recently posted..Ein wunderschönes Wochenende
May 16, 2012 pm31 19:19
If you make it to South America, it’s a must-see.
May 11, 2012 pm31 14:38
Love this place! These are always my favorite kinds of places to stay…local charm, flavor, and attentive staff. Something you definitely don’t always get in the bigger hotel chains.
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..Get Your A** On The 7 Train And Go To Flushing
May 14, 2012 am31 7:28
It looks great to me. The bathroom looks fine - what do you expect for $60?
Mark recently posted..Jubilee nights in Wembley
May 16, 2012 pm31 19:18
haha, exactly!
May 17, 2012 pm31 22:34
Lots of character, comfort and charm at La Casa de Melgar! It’s funny how we sometimes find the coolest places when we take a different path than planned. I can see why you felt like you were sleeping in a castle.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: A Slice of Chicago