15 Best Hotels in The Central Highlands, Peru

This standard guesthouse provides travelers with a clean bed, hot shower, and friendly service at a bargain price. That it does all this while being one block from the plaza makes up for the fact that the building lacks the charm of some of the pricier properties in the area. The rooms have Wi-Fi, and the owners can arrange tours of the outlying villages for intrepid travelers. Be sure to book in advance around Semana Santa (Easter) and Fiestas Patrias (July 28).

This colonial-style building, built in 1943, is chic, swanky, and completely out of place in simple Huánuco, which explains the business travelers wandering its wide halls. Rooms, all with private baths and hot water, are modern and eclectic. Some overlook the plaza, but beware of noise on mornings and weekends. Public areas are opulent yet intimate, with corners in wich to relax and have a quiet conversation. The courtyard pool, sauna, and gym provide respite for those returning from long day tours of the surrounding pampas. The Majestuoso restaurant is by far the best in town and serves everything from regional to international dishes.

Experience life at a Spanish hacienda at this charming bed-and-breakfast just a 10-minute drive from Tarma. Rooms, which sleep up to four guests, are furnished with period pieces, local art, and handmade textiles that evoke the 18th-century aesthetic. Staff can also prepare meals made with artisanal local products for guests. There's even a campground with a bathroom (S/16) and hiking trails that lead to ruins and highland villages.

Rooms at the El Márquez are relatively modern, if a bit bland; some have flat-screen TVs, heaters, and cathedral views, while others don't, so choose carefully, and negotiate hard. There's supposed to be 24-hour hot water, so if you just want a cozy place to sleep, look no further.

This local favorite has a boutiquey feel, with its ample spaces and contemporary photography on the walls. Rooms have the modern essentials: TV, phone, and hot shower. It's popular with visiting business travelers, so book early for weekdays. The restaurant serves tasty Peruvian grilled meats and stews, as well as salads and tallarines (noodles).

The city's most expensive hotel, in a gracious colonial building partly overlooking the Plaza de Armas, has spacious gardens and opulent sitting areas that belie the modest rooms with worn carpet and nicked modern furnishings. The best (and quietest) accommodations are on the second floor, where there's a view of the terracotta roofs and the courtyard. You can request a balcony over the plaza, but beware the ever-present commotion outside—especially on Sunday and during festivals.

The most popular lodging among visiting limeños has the comforts of a modern hotel: rooms have Andean fabrics and accents, TVs, Wi-Fi, phones, and private baths with hot water. Nevertheless, the bland 20th-century building has thin walls. There are also a wheelchair-accessible elevator and a 24-hour restaurant.

On the plaza, Huancavelica's top hotel is in an attractive, Spanish-colonial building with bland but sizable rooms that have phones, Wi-Fi, and hot showers. Rooms with shared baths are cheaper. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner when the hotel is busy; otherwise, it's open for breakfast only.

At this rambling Spanish mansion, folk art, textiles, and local crafts lend charm to a building that dates back centuries. Antique furnishings bring the colonial era to life, but modern amenities like TVs, refrigerators, and Wi-Fi provide 21st-century comfort. Book a room with a balcony to enjoy the street scene below, or dine at the rooftop restaurant for city and mountain views.

Just three blocks from the Plaza de Armas, the Santa María is a quiet, tastefully appointed hotel with brightly colored textiles and minimalist furnishings. The rooms may feel a bit dark, but the staff is professional and attentive.

The rooms in this pleasant little hotel, located one block from the Plaza de Armas, have a mix of antiques, handmade fabrics, and contemporary furnishings, plus modern amenities like TV and Wi-Fi. The property has a pretty courtyard filled with bright sunlight and an elegant fountain, and the service is warm and friendly. The prime location makes this a great value.

The hacienda-style exterior of this elegant hotel gives it a worldly charm that sets it above the newer options. Public areas are ornate, with Peruvian paintings and local crafts and textiles. Rooms are sparkling clean, and all have TVs, phones, and private baths with hot water. Ask to see several different options before you agree to stay, as rooms vary in size, décor, view, and amenities. Although the neighborhood is quieter than those around the plaza, the hotel is conveniently in the middle of town.

By far the most luxurious hotel in town, this frequently updated, colonial-style mansion surrounded by gardens offers warmth as well as grandeur. Rooms, which have Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs in addition to private baths with hot water, are decorated with a mix of real and reproduction antiques that complement the elegant architecture. The friendly staff is very helpful with advice for regional sightseeing. Visit on the weekend to avoid the business crowds.

This hotel and its eponymous café sit in a restored colonial building on the plaza and offer some of the city's best, most eclectic lodging. Each spotless room features unique decor, from flowing curtains to Andean tapestries, lending the hotel a hip, modern vibe. All rooms have hot water and free Wi-Fi, but street noise seeps into some of the rooms, so choose your quarters carefully.