Hostal Las Mercedes

Pros: 1. The staff is adorable and extremely accommodating. They will do everything in the their power to help you. They are a true pleasure! 2. The hotel is beautiful and the lobby has a lot of character. Very charming. 3. Close to the city center, just a 10-minute walk. 4. It's close to a highway but it was actually calm at night, I slept like a baby. Cons: 1. Our room was extremely dated. The bathroom door didn't close, there was big water stains in the ceiling and some parts of the shower ceramic were chipped. 2. No plug in the bathroom. 3. No views as advertised. 4. The walk to the city center is up the hill, but that was ok for me.

Due to a delay in my bus schedule, I arrived in the heart of the night, yet they immediately welcomed me, providing a room and swiftly handling the paperwork the following morning. Sensing my fatigue, they kindly left water in the room after the long journey. Ursula & Herman were exceptional, not only in their support to organize tours but also in their demeanor, making me feel cared for and at home. The room was comfortable, well-lit, with a beautifully spacious bathroom and a cozy bed! Breakfast was served buffet-style with a variety of choices. Located just a 10-minute walk from the center of Arequipa, the place is well-connected and convenient.

The service and care was beyond amazing and the courtyard is beautiful!

To start the pros: the place is quaint and charming “looking.” Ya know when James Bond has to hide away in a crap hostel after the bad guys beat him? This looks like that crap hostel. The old man receptionists all wear red coats as if proud. Then: Room smelled of bathroom due to people putting in you know in the waste bin. Yes! That smell! Built up from numerous people! The room had not been aerated. The area was out of central area, and felt uncomfortable/not safe, with skate park kids hanging around. There was no hot water. I asked, and the old man said something about the mountains and patience and maybe 3 days. Was there not hot water heater and were they relying on volcanic thermal heating? Idk. Have no idea. No 3G,4G, LTE any cell service. WiFI didn’t work. I left angry because the place felt like a prison. I needed to book flights and hotels for my next leg of trip. I couldn’t. No internet! I put my keys on the front counter and told them this is not a hotel, and left. No one spoke English, and I couldn’t use google translate because no internet. I had to take my 50 lbs of luggage and haul for 1-2 kms to get any internet connection. I couldn’t even call in an Uber. Yeah. If you want to tolerate the smell of human waste, for the quaint charm, go right ahead. For me, basics are Wifi, hot water and sleep. It failed in all. If any of the 3, I wouldn’t be so harsh. I actually feel bad rating so badly. But it was absurd in 2022.

Property staff went overboard to help us out with anything anytime.