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Comfort and ocean-views in Peru’s bustling capital, Lima
The JW Marriott is one of seven Marriott options in Peru’s capital city of Lima. It is also their priciest, with entry level rooms starting at around $240 for non-peak, but regularly going up to $350 and even beyond $450. Interestingly, it is also the only loyalty hotel out of the Hilton/Marriott/IHG trio to be included in AmEx’s Fine Hotel & Resorts (FHR) programme, though, as usual there it was a little more expensive. In the end, I paid about $350 per night for a mid-category room – an Oceanview, High Floor Classic Guest Room.
Sadly, my Bonvoy Gold status didn’t get me an upgrade, but to be fair, they did let me check in at 9am after my long-haul overnight flight (which you can read more about here). However, on this point, it is worth saying that when I tried to check in at around 6am, the receptionist told me I’d need to pay an additional $200 to get in any earlier. She also told me that it would be discounted to $180 as a Gold status holder.
So it’s good to know that status really means something these days(!) In the end, I stored my luggage and used the gym and steam room while I waited, to try and kick-start my adaptation to local time (which is currently GMT -6hr in).
Hotel location and proximity to some touristy treats
Anyway, the hotel is very lovely. It is located overlooking the South Pacific Ocean, in the touristy (and fairly safe) area of Miraflores.
While a lot of the cafes and restaurants were closed – June/July is winter in Peru, with temperatures struggling to climb above 20 degrees – it was still a lovely area, with coastal walks, parks, museums and other attractions such as the Huaca Pullana archaeological site and the Barranco neighbourhood all not too far away.
It is very close to its sister hotel, the AC Hotel Lima, and also Hilton’s main/poshest offer in the city, the Hilton Miraflores. The hotel itself is a sharp and smooth building with 24 floors, with the main reception up on the second floor.
This is also where the JW Lounge (not the Executive Lounge, which is on the top floor) was located, alongside the JW Market (small space for coffee and treats such as macaroons) and the main restaurant – La Vista.
Food and amenities
I enjoyed my buffet breakfast in La Vista, as well as one dinner. The restaurant enjoys some pleasant waterside views, and the menu was excellent in both the morning and the evening.
It is also worth saying that the service here was lovely – friendly, attentive, and totally smooth.
The JW Lounge was equally impressive. It boasted several very comfortable seating areas, plus an impressive bar and even a sushi-station, being done fresh (right next to an equally indulgent looking wine fridge and display set-up).
The gym was one level up, on the third floor, and was generously sized, even for a hotel this large. Sadly, the outdoor pool was closed, but the sauna and steam room were fine for those seeking a reason to put their swimmers on 🙂
And, of course, the room. This was indeed very pleasant. For me, the main feature was the massive ocean-voyeuring view, which was framed beautifully by mesh curtains and – I always love this – a remote blackout blind. It had a nice sofa and table, and the bathroom had an extra set of sliding doors, which opened up the whole space in a versatile manner.
It had some attractive furnishings that reminded me of a Middle Eastern hotel room, as well as a good coffee machine, mahoosive tv, and lovely amenities. The freestanding tub was also a treat, as one would expect.
Lima airport lounges – only one choice, but a decent one at least!
All too soon, it was time to head back to the airport. However, I did enjoy the sole Lima lounge – simply called ‘The Club’ – before heading back to London on Iberia, via Madrid.
The Club acts as the Priority Pass and LoungeKey lounge, as well as the Iberia one.
The lounge was actually pretty decent. It is located on the fourth floor (although in practice this was one level up from the main entrance) and was very big, with several clearly defined and well-signed different areas, including a proper bar, two food stations, a relaxation area, business and kids spaces, and a large cinema style chill zone.
While the aesthetics were good, the food was poor. It may have been because I was there mid morning, but there was only porridge, scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs with sausage mixed in, plus fruit, cereals and pastries.
Maybe I’m spoiled, but for the sole lounge in the sole international terminal of Lima, it was lacking.
But if being spoiled means I get to visit this fun, colourful and characterful country, then so be it!
