7 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Peru

Now part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, this ultrachic resort was created out of the rubble of the once-famous Hotel Paracas, destroyed in the 2007 earthquake. World-renowned designer Bernardo Fort-Brescia used more than US$2 million in bamboo in the two trendy restaurants and lounge, and the world-class spa ups the resort's swank factor significantly. The two sparkling pools are lined with daybeds, and the hotel has its own pier for trips to the Islas Ballestas, as well as kayaks, catamarans, and sand bikes for rent. The spacious rooms are done in earthy tones and have every amenity imaginable. All feature a private terrace.

There's no better property in Peru for getting an up-close view of the wine and pisco industry than this charming bodega-hacienda surrounded by 400 hectares (988 acres) of leafy vineyards. Santiago Quierolo is a household name in Peru, with two legendary taverns in Lima and a sizeable presence in the national liquor market, and this stylish property gives the brand's imprimatur to a modern, classy lodging with top-shelf amenities. Spend your days learning about pisco and admiring the vines and your afternoons lounging poolside. At night, indulge your taste buds at the superb restaurant.

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.

This party-vibe hotel has the virtue of being in the midst of the action on Asia's boulevard, making it popular with younger travelers and couples. Rooms overlook a central pool area with palm trees and South Beach–style daybeds, and there are a bar and restaurant where you can snack on cebiche and pisco sours while a DJ blasts house music on summer weekends. That said, older travelers might find the accommodations rather spartan for the price—tile floors and cement-block decor are standard–and the staff is curiously negligent, given the hotel's elite clientele.

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.

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.

Perched in a breathtaking setting high in the Andean foothills, this cozy lodge affords access to more than 80 km (50 miles) of hiking trails, offering a glimpse of Andean life few tourists will ever see. It's operated by Mountain Lodges of Peru, the same company that runs the luxury lodge-to-lodge trek on the Salkantay trail in the Cusco area. Earth-toned stone and wood buildings are set on a ridge with sweeping views of green valleys below. The vistas are especially impressive from the restaurant, which serves a mix of Novo Andino and international plates utilizing local produce. Rooms have a comfortable, alpine-cabin feel, with stone walls and wood-beam ceilings.