Casa Bella Boutique Hotel San Isidro

Host Michael Azuaje said when I left “Consider this your home in Lima,” and I truly can. I had a medical emergency just as we were going to leave at 6:30am for the flight to Cuzco. He called a doctor to the hotel within 30 minutes and I was taken to a good hospital a few blocks away. Michael sent my overnight bag to the hospital late at night, held the room and my luggage for me for my uncertain return a few days later. Even when I was back and healthy he paid an outside laundry service on my behalf. He is there day and night and with all the staff is courteous, warmly welcoming, and eager to be of help. It is like staying in an older family house. The furnishings are old but the rooms and bedding are clean. Peruvian artwork is everywhere. Wifi is excellent. The hotel is quiet and in a nice residential neighbourhood. The walled back garden is lovely and quiet. The airport transfer service is comfortable and luxurious. The breakfast is good and there is coffee and hot water available all day in the lobby. 40 mins to the central plaza and 40-60 minutes to the airport in Lima’s notorious traffic but close to the chic restaurants of its San Isidro or Miraflores coastal neighbourhoods. Ubers are very cheap, usually less than US$20.

This place is adorable. Homey, friendly, and comfortable. The AC worked well. I rate it at 5, not because it's a 5 star resort. It's not. But? That's not what I valued about it. The service, including 2 am airport pick up, and through daily breakfast was fantastic. My room was clean, and suited for me. Everything from plugs for my American chargers and curling iron. The towels were thick, soft and absorbed water well (ie not too much fabric softener). There was a well tuned piano in the front room... I checked it. They brought me an iron and ironing board within 3 minutes of my request. They called cabs, made dinner reservations, and even ordered me chicken soup when I felt sick. The breakfasts were tasty, the fruit fresh cut, and croissants soft, yet crunchy on the outside. They and could only have been better if I spoke Spanish. I wanted my eggs over easy, and I could not communicate it well to them. I tried to say "runny", "soft", "rare", "less cooked"... and they were still over medium at "best". The best part was Michael, the manager, and concierge. He seemed to be there 24 hours a day, wide away, smiling, friendly, and willing to translate on his phone so he could do the best he could despite the fact that the only spanglish I know is: hello, thank you, I am thirsty, may I have 1 beer please?, and where is the bathroom, please? In all, when I go there again? I will choose this place because I felt welcome, appreciated, and taken care of when I wasn't feeling my best. Oh, and the price was GREAT! Next time, though, I will figure out how to say, "over easy" before I go. You should check them out too.