Tierra Viva Miraflores Larco Hotel

The contemporary slate-and-glass facade of this three-pearl hotel makes it stand out from its neighbors on a block that's away from the busy Avenida Alfredo Benavides. Like Tierra Viva's other hotels, decor is eclectic, with plush rose velveteen couches sitting under sharp contemporary art. The simple space, with its reception desk and small seating area, feels more business than pleasure, and is a hint as to the in-transit nature of this property. With on-site features limited to a breakfast room (that has a homier style than the hotel's lobby), there's little reason to hang out at the hotel all day. Tourists are frequent guests here due to its location in the heart of the popular Miraflores district, where key sights are walkable or easily accessed via public transportation.

Miraflores is a central sightseeing district of Lima, with beautiful parks, art galleries, popular restaurants, and even some nightlife. The Casino Atlantic City is just around the corner, and the Lola Bar directly across the street is a weekend favorite that's busy late into the night (yes, this means noise). Bike Tours of Lima is right next door to the hotel, making so daily bike rentals are convenient as well. But many of Lima's prime destinations in this area are walkable: the Larcomar shopping center, Malecon promenade, and Kennedy Park are all within a 10- 15-minute walk away. The beach is also a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Otherwise, keep in mind that drive times in Lima can be unpredictable due to heavy traffic, so getting around can be time consuming. Popular destinations like the Huaca Pucllana ruins and the bohemian Barranco district can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to reach by car. Budget an hour and a half to get to Jorge Chavez International Airport by car, even if the Google Maps estimate says the drive is only 30 minutes.

The hotel's 44 modern, but plain, rooms are all fairly spacious, though some may feel a bit narrow depending on the specific room's layout. The white blinds, walls, and sheets -- when coupled with the good natural light -- make a nice contrast against the plain brown carpeting and simple wooden furniture. Quirky metal floral sculptures hang above the beds, adding a bit of personality, and red-and-brown striped bed runners add some much needed color. Bathrooms are clad in basic white porcelain, gray tile, and a floating marble counter for plenty of storage space, and come with standing showers for Standard Rooms, and shower/tub combos for Superior Rooms (accessible bathrooms are available upon request). Hairdryers are also provided. Flat-screen TVs, safes, desks, air-conditioning, and space heaters are provided in all rooms. Upgraded rooms also include a minibar, electric kettles, and bathrobes. Walls can thin, making for noise near the elevators, and windows aren't well-soundproofed against nightlife and street sounds.

There aren't many features at this simple mid-range property, and it's best used as a pleasant place to rest after a day exploring. The free hot and cold buffet breakfast offered isn't particularly extensive, but provides enough options for guests to start their day. The rooftop terrace that's attached to the breakfast room is great for a view of the city. A 24-hour business center has three computers and a printer -- it's located in the lobby, though free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Concierge services, laundry and dry cleaning, currency exchange, and tourist information can be requested from the 24-hour front desk. Free on-site underground parking is available upon request. Smoking isn't allowed anywhere on-site.