"How did it strike you on arrival? Villa Barranco has major curb appeal—the two-story, colonial home turned boutique hotel is equal parts stately and charming. Pulling up feels more like arriving at a friend's summer home than a hotel. Once you step through the garden and into the house itself, wooden details—from the twisting grand staircase in the foyer to the collected pieces of furniture scattered throughout—add to the homey feel. Villa Barranco is on par with other popular boutique hotels in neighborhood (like Atemporal and Casa Republica), but it feels more intimate; and the affordable price point is especially appealing. The good stuff: Tell us about your room. Every room in Villa Barranco is spacious, but the two-level Master Suite feels like an apartment. The bathroom has enough space to do cartwheels around the freestanding tub, and there's a loft with a single bed, bean bag, television, and entrance to the private terrace outside (chaise lounges and ocean views included). The décor suits the bohemian Barranco neighborhood without overdoing it—think colorful throws on the bed and Persian rugs on the floor, paired with crisp white linens and necessary modern touches like a TV and air conditioning. Let's talk about the small stuff. Were there in-room amenities or little touches that you'd rave about? If we lived in a lawless hellscape with no rules, what is the first thing you'd steal? The owner of the hotel is clearly a collector—the vintage furniture throughout is impressive, but it's the quirky little objects in every corner of the room that you'll really lust over. The inside of the medicine cabinet is packed with a collection of antique medicine bottles, and carefully selected trinkets like vintage weighing scales on the desk, or a little wooden sailboat hanging on the wall, made the rooms feel wonderfully lived in. The bathroom amenities and other more essential items were less memorable, but all perfectly fine. Of course, what really matters is that the Wi-Fi is free—and it works. Lightening round reaction time! Tell us something short but important. Most rooms at Villa Barranco have ocean views, and it's just off Lima's seafront promenade, the Malecón. How about the extra things—the spa, the gym. Any features worth mentioning? Because it's built into an eight-bedroom colonial home, it's no surprise they don't offer amenities like a spa or gym, but the walkable location makes it easy to find whatever you need just steps away. There's a lovely rooftop bar, but it's only manned on the weekends and most guests seemed to completely forget about it (though having it all to yourself is appealing enough). Food is limited to simple room service, and the menu doesn't represent Lima's typical dishes—but when you're in one of the most awarded restaurant cities in the world, you'll probably want to go out to eat anyway. Bottom line: Worth the money, time, and effort it would take to book it? You can feel the care put into every inch of the restored republican home, and travelers who appreciate getting to stay in such an emblematic property in Barranco will love the value at the price point. Unique features lent by the 1920s shell—communal gardens to eat breakfast in, or terraces and balconies off every room—paired with thoughtful decor will win over most, but travelers who want bend-over-backwards service and a laundry list of amenities at their fingertips will be happier elsewhere."
