5 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Peru

Part of the growing Peruvian Aranwa chain, this sprawling upscale resort has a lot going on, making it good for families, active types, spa seekers, and conference delegates alike. Amenities include a spa, a convention center, a 180-meter (590-foot) wharf, two pools, a restaurant, and a pisco bar, plus tennis courts and play areas for children. You’ll never lack for something to do here. The relaxed yet contemporary rooms have marine-inspired accents, and each has a balcony or patio with ocean views.

The first major resort hotel to hit the Paracas coast, this all-suites, family-friendly retreat sits just a few steps down the beach from the more luxurious Hotel Paracas. Here, lazy palms surround more than 8,000 square feet of pool space that shimmer against the white façades of the guest rooms, which feature smallish living rooms and kitchenettes. The hotel abounds with activities: beyond the great pool, there's also access to the beach, as well as a spa and two restaurants.

With rooms built around a central courtyard complete with an ancient grape press and a working pisco distillery, it's hard to tell whether this quirky property on the road between Ica and Huacachina is a hotel or a bodega-style theme park. It's strange, but all the knickknacks work, giving the place a unique and charming air. There's something for everyone: an adventure playground for the kids, a nice swimming pool, a small zoo, and of course, the bodega. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with pastel furnishings and wood fittings. In March, you're invited to use your feet in the annual grape pressing.

For a taste of the good life, Peruvian style, head to this top-end resort between Ica and Huacachina, a favorite getaway for Peruvian families. A cluster of whitewashed colonial-style buildings at the foot of the dunes is interspersed with ponds and canals full of fish, and llamas roam freely on the grounds. Spacious rooms have balconies overlooking lush lawns, and suites boast sunny courtyards and whirlpools. You can dine poolside or in a breezy gazebo at the restaurant, as well as rent sandboards, play golf on the dunes, ride horseback, or spend the day in the spa.

This hotel may not be as flashy as the nearby Doubletree or Hotel Paracas, but it's just as nice, and the daily supervised activities for kids are a hit with families. Part of the massive pool area butts right up against several of the rooms, so you can swim right off your porch. The rooms feature clay-tile floors and textiles modeled after Paracas culture designs, many of the same gadgets as the better-known chain hotels, and a private patio. The hotel also has a small museum of pre-Columbian artifacts and a private launch that takes guests to the Ballestas Islands.