When I recently participated in SAHIC, the annual South American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference, both as a journalist and to moderate two panels (one about social media trends and the other about innovative hotel design), I stayed at the Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center. Here’s a summary of my experience.
THE STYLE: One of the upscale brands in the Starwood Hotels portfolio, Westin Hotels & Resorts is known for its style and amenities, and the Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center is no exception. This 301-room luxury property rises above the business-oriented San Isidro district in Lima — Peru‘s capital city — with handsome design and modern touches.
••••••
PERU TRAVEL TIPS: Best of Barranco: 15 Things To Do in the Hippest ‘Hood in Lima
••••••
THE GUEST ROOM: I stayed on the 29th floor, in a 463-square-foot Westin Executive Club Room that includes access to the Westin Executive Club. My room featured a king size bed, floor-to-ceiling windows (a personal favorite), 37-inch flat screen TV, chaise lounge and minibar. Lighting is especially good, with attractive fixtures as well as flexible reading lamps on both sides of the bed. One of the best features of the room is the walk-in closet (something I don’t usually see, even in hotel suites), which is large enough for drawers, a full-length mirror and a safe deposit box.
A semi-opaque glass wall separates the sleeping area from the bath area, with two bathrobes, a separate tub and shower, and twin sinks with dramatically lit mirrors. The water closet, which includes a toilet and bidet, is behind another sliding glass door. Two free bottles of water were left every day in the bathroom.
My favorite part about staying in a club room (besides the view from the 29th floor) was, of course, the free access to the Westin Executive Club. Great views and comfortable seating, ranging from couches and arm chairs to more business-minded tables and chairs, provide multiple areas to relax and chat while enjoying the free breakfast, afternoon snacks and drinks and evening light dinner items (it technically isn’t a full meal, but I made it into one and was fully satisfied). Unfortunately I realized too late that I could have also gotten one garment pressed for free during my stay.
Check out the highly unedited rebroadcast of my live video tour from Periscope (@MunderaMedia), straight from my guest room.
••••••
PERU TRAVEL TIPS: “My Lima” — Personal Favorites from TourGuidePeru’s Aaron Paiva Leyton
••••••
HOTEL FEATURES: Since I was attending the SAHIC gathering, I made good use of the Westin Lima’s extensive meeting space, which includes 17 meeting rooms with attractive decor. The hotel also has a heated indoor swimming pool, a Heavenly Spa by Westin, and a WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio (translation: a gym). The hotel also has an attractive lobby lounge, a bar, an international-themed restaurant and a restaurant that serves Peruvian fusion cuisine. The property also offers a Westin Sleep Well Menu and Westin Eat Well Menu for kids. This Lima hotel is within walking distance of upscale dining and shopping in the San Isidro district.
••••••
PERU TRAVEL TIPS: “My Lima” — Designer Fabián Alata’s Peru Travel Tips
••••••
BEST FOR: Business travelers looking to be near offices in the San Isidro area, as well as vacationers looking for an upscale oasis.