Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
Last summer, I enjoyed a terrific holiday in Peru. You can read my trip reports here:
- Review: KLM (old) Business Class Boeing 777 from Amsterdam to Lima
- Review: Central, world’s best restaurant 2023, Lima
- Review: Cirqa Hotel, Arequipa
- Review: Puqio Lodge, Colca Canyon
- Review: Titilaka Lodge, Lake Titicaca
- Review: Titicaca Luxury Train, from Puno to Cusco
- Review: Explora Valle Sagrado, Sacred Valley
- Review: Rio Sagrado, a Belmond Hotel, Sacred Valley
- Review: Hiram Bingham, a Belmond Train, from Cusco to Machu Picchu
- Review: Sanctuary Lodge, a Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
- Review: Inca trail to Machu Picchu
- Review: Fausto Hotel, Lima (today)
- Review: KLM (new) Business Class Boeing 777 from Lima to Amsterdam
Today: Review of Fausto Hotel, Lima (Peru)
Located in Lima’s popular oceanfront neighborhood of Miraflores, Fausto Hotel welcomes the discerning traveler into a stylish residence of contemporary design and impeccable service. The property – which is more a guest house than a true hotel – blends Peruvian heritage with modern-day creative touches. With only five rooms, Fausto represents an intimate and peaceful retreat away from the hustle and the bustle of the town. Managed by Andean, Peru’s top luxury travel company, the hotel’s excellent location makes it an ideal base for independent exploring of Lima well as to start or end an epic journey through the country.
Have you ever stayed at Fausto Hotel ? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):
PROS & THINGS I LIKE
- Located on a charming tree-lined street in one Lima’s most vibrant districts, Fausto Hotel offers a serene haven in the center of Lima. Just one block from the coastal promenade, this hideaway finds its place in Miraflores, one of Lima’s liveliest and safest districts. Boasting with energy and life, Miraflores is a neighborhood steeped in history and heritage, and often referred to as the crossroads of tradition and modernity, where travelers and locals meet. Miraflores houses a range of galleries and museums, as well as bustling artisanal markets, cafes and restaurants.
- Housed in a meticulously preserved 1920’s neoclassical building, Fausto Hotel blends traditional architecture with locally curated design, art and décor, creating a sophisticated yet casual ambiance. The property actually feels more like staying in a stylish residence than at a hotel. At the heart of Fausto, just behind the impressive entry doors, lies the ‘sala,’ a cozy ground-level living room that opens onto a pretty tiled, open air patio with some lush greenery. This communal space is designed for connection, where guests can gather to share stories and experiences.
- Right next to the sala is Fausto Hotel’s elegant open-plan kitchen. The kitchen is always open to guests (24/7), creating a homey atmosphere where guests can enjoy the flavors and comfort of a Peruvian home. The house fridge is stocked with daily baked sweets, savory snacks, fruits, charcuterie, and refreshing drinks. For guests looking to share, social food options include carpaccio, Peruvian cheese tasting boards, and other finger foods. For comfort food after a long day of activities in Lima, the menu offers pasta, soups, salads, and more (although the hotel lacks a formal restaurant or dining room).
- The charm of Fausto Hotel’s sala extends to the first floor with a cozy dining spot under some trees as well as to the third floor, where a cozy rooftop terrace looks out over Miraflores’ urban scenery. The rooftop terrace’s inviting ambience serves as the perfect setting for social gatherings or unwinding solo with a house-made beverage and snacks. As such, it’s a great place to meet other guests as well as Fausto’s dedicated team, which is always on hand to ensure each stay is as comfortable as possible, also offering personalized recommendations to uncover Lima’s hidden gems known only to locals.
- Fausto Hotel preserves its original five-bedroom layout, with each room carefully revitalised to maintain its original character. Guests can choose from three room types – Pequeña, Mediana, and Grande – each offering a unique and comfortable stay in this charming historical setting. The minimalist Pequeña room is large enough to fit a double bed, desk, and chair, but not much else, while the Mediana room features a high-arching doorway that leads onto a luminous private patio. The Grande Room on the property’s first floor is an absolute standout with a four-poster bed, sitting area, and a freestanding soaking tub.
- Fausto Hotel is managed by Andean, the Peruvian luxury travel company who which largely sets the standard for high-end boutique stays throughout the country. As an industry pioneer in the design and development of owner-managed hotels and carefree travel, Andean takes guests on journeys from the historic vibrancy of the city to the timeless serenity of Peru’s unspoiled side. Each experience is complemented by seamless serendipity, remarkable local cuisine, nourishment for the soul, and an understated elegance that is uniquely Peruvian. Andean offers a neat circuit known as the Southern Peru Travesia: Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca.
CONS & THINGS TO KNOW
- Each morning, Fausto Hotel’s breakfast is served at the sala, with a small continental buffet on display in the kitchen as well as egg dishes cooked to order. But the hotel does not have a restaurant serving food for lunch or dinner. However, several great restaurants can be found within walking distance from the property.
- Hotel Fausto lacks wellness and leisure facilities. There is no pool, no spa, and no gym. As already mentioned, Fausto feels more like staying in the luxurious house of a friend than staying at a hotel, and the boutique property offers a far more intimate and authentic experience compared to a hotel. If you are looking for a true 5-star hotel experience in the Peruvuan capital, you need to stay elsewhere (such as at Miraflores Park, a Belmond Hotel).
- Lima is a big, crowded, foggy and rather unattractive city. The neighborhoods of Miraflores (home of Fausto Hotel) and Barranco are fine for a day of exploration, but there are much better parts of Peru to discover during a holiday in the country. However, most travelers will start and end their grand Peruvian holiday in Lima. In the latter scenario, Fausto Hotel is an excellent choice for a one or two night stay in Lima (before and/or after international flights), since it’s managed by Andean, which offers the best tour of Southern Peru.
MY VERDICT
- Location: 8/10
- Design: 8/10
- Pool: n/a
- Rooms: 7/10
- Food: n/a
- Breakfast: 7/10
- Spa: n/a
- Service: 9/10
- Wow factor: 7/10
- Value for money: 8/10
- Overall experience: good – 7.5/10
TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY
- Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Hotel Fausto (and/or receive complimentary perks).
- Room tip: Fausto Hotel features only 5 rooms and the one you want to book is the Grand Room, which is much larger and feels more luxurious compared to the other rooms.
- Itinerary tip: Fausto Hotel is an extension to Puqio by Andean (Colca Canyon), Cirqa by Andean (Arequipa) and Titilaca by Andean (Lake Titicaca) along the southern Peru route, the first offering of its kind in the region. You can contact Andean to create a customized trip for you in this awesome region of Peru.
- Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Lima, the capital of Peru, is between December to March when the coastal climate is at its best. The weather is warm and sunny, and the city is alive with bars, notable restaurants, concerts and cultural events. However, these months are probably the worst months to visit Peru because it coincides with the rainy season in most other areas of the country.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fausto Hotel is a 30 min taxi ride from Lima International Airport, also known as Jorge Chávez International Airport. The hotel can arrange airport transfers at an additional cost.
PHOTOS
Below is a selection of my photos of Fausto Hotel. To view more photos, click here.
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