Tastes may have changed since 1924, but this grande dame retains the sumptuousness of the days when guests included Ernest Hemingway. As you enter the marble-columned rotunda, your eyes are drawn upward to the magnificent stained-glass dome. Off to one side is the wood-paneled bar, which remains as popular as ever. The tables on the terrace are the perfect place to enjoy the best pisco sours in town. A grand staircase sweeps you up to the rooms, which retain lovely touches like parquet floors. Pull back the curtains for an unforgettable view of Plaza San Martín. Pros: Atmosphere to spare, convenient location, good value. Cons: Some furnishings are a bit threadbare, on a busy corner.
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