Surrounded by five volcanoes, ‘The White City’ of Arequipa is famous for being Peru’s second largest city and for its construction using chalk-white volcanic stone known as sillar. This stone is characteristic of not only the charming colonial architecture, and interesting sites that have awarded Arequipa the title of UNESCO World Heritage city, but also in the structures of the best luxury hotels Arequipa. A stay at any of our hand selected luxury hotels in Arequipa will be a memorable way to spend a few days on a private, tailormade trip to Peru with Aracari.
Best Luxury Hotels Arequipa: Aracari’s Top Picks
Libertador Arequipa Hotel
Fully equipped with a large swimming pool, an al fresco dining area, and a beautiful lobby made from sillar, Libertador Arequipa Hotel is one of the finest accommodations that the city has to offer. The hotel is housed in a colonial style mansion built in the 1940’s, and maintains its charm with 88 spacious rooms and suites decorated with touches from the era. Located about 5 minutes by taxi from the main square, or a 10-15 minute walk, and surrounded by lush green parks, Libertador gives guests privacy and quiet tranquility while still being in close proximity to the key city sites.
Casa Andina Premium Arequipa
One of the city’s most traditional buildings and a national historic monument built in 1794, the Casa Andina Premium Arequipa is a stately hotel housed in the former Mint (Casa de la Moneda). Its location is ideal, only three blocks from the main square and just behind the famous Santa Catalina Convent. The front half of the hotel is gorgeous, completely built from sillar, and features high ceilings and elegant decor: there are a total of five suites in this part of the property, our favorite rooms at Casa Andina Premium Arequipa. The 5 suites are in the original Mint house and bring guests back in time with traditional sillar (volcanic stone) walls, colonial style decorations and wrought iron windows. The back half of the hotel is a modern style block of rooms, but while they are comfortable and clean we recommend upgrading to the suites located in the historic building.
Check out our Highlights of Southern Peru Itinerary for inspiration on a trip to Arequipa!
Katari Hotel
Perfectly located for soaking up the history and culture of Arequipa, Katari Hotel sits on the main square – Plaza de Armas and from here it’s easy and convenient to stroll around Arequipa’s picturesque city center. The 15 rooms are decorated with antiques, colonial-style furniture and pre-Columbian details which evoke the different historical periods which have shaped the White City. The hotel’s roof terrace Ascai restaurant and bar offer stunning views over the plaza towards the Cathedral and the impressive volcanoes in the background. The best part is that outside guests can still enjoy the rooftop view for a minimum spend.
Casa Andina Select
Casa Andina Select Arequipa is located in front of the city’s main square Plaza de Armas and with a modern and functional design, it is great for travelers who value efficiency and service. All of the 57 rooms and 1 suite at the hotel are simply decorated with comfort in mind. The highlight of Casa Andina Select Arequipa is the fourth floor terrace and pool that overlook the main square and have sweeping views of the city. We recommend requesting one of the rooms on the top floor to take advantage of these wonderful views.
La Hosteria
La Hosteria is housed in a well preserved colonial mansion and conveniently situated just across the street from one of Arequipa’s main sites, Santa Catalina Monastery. At the hotel guests will happily get lost in the maze of colorful terraces and balconies that overflow with flowers. Of the 31 rooms at La Hosteria, 13 are constructed using sillar, and we recommend a stay in the superior rooms that are more spacious and comfortable than the hotel’s standard offering.
Palla Boutique Hotel
Palla Boutique Hotel is located in the historic center of Arequipa near the main square, Plaza de Armas. The 30 rooms at the hotel are understated with modern decoration. All are equipped with soundproof floors and windows, TVs, and Wi-Fi. The Standard and Comfort Room options are smaller and more minimalist, while the Junior Suites, Suites, and Suite Palla have more space as well as bath tubs. The hotel also boasts an outdoor rooftop with a lovely view of the surrounding city and volcanoes.
Visiting Arequipa
Arequipa is easily accessed with a 1.5 hour flight from Lima, and can compliment any private tailormade itinerary to Peru by Aracari. A definite highlight of Southern Peru, you need about one or two days here to see all of the Arequipa’s main attractions. Read more here about things to do in the city like visiting Santa Catalina Monastery, Santa Teresa convent, exploring the Plaza de Armas, and seeing Juanita, a teenage girl who’s body was frozen after being sacrificed to the Inca gods. A visit to Arequipa is well combined with a trip to the Colca Canyon, only four hours away by car and full of outdoor activities and wildlife like the famous Condor.
Contact us to start planning a stay at one of the best luxury hotels Arequipa as a part of a private, tailormade trip to Peru.