That’s a bit of a mouthful, but Los Balcones, as it more expediently known, has a fantastic location, right by Santa Catalina and its afore-mentioned beautiful convent, and I suppose it makes sense to let the world know it. It’s also a mere two blocks from the main plaza and the rooms are upstairs, away from the street. All in all, you probably couldn’t choose a better location if you want to be central but don’t want to pay the moon.
Los Balcones is so-named because it has – yes, you guessed it – beautiful and ornate but small colonial balconies to its rooms on the street side, which overlook the spires of the nearby cathedral. It’s a great touch, and you can get nice shots of the top of the cathedral from here. And such is the age and beauty of the building itself that it has been declared a National Historical Monument.
The rooms are light, bright and big, with lots of space and vast windows opening out onto those balconies. The beds are very comfortable, and the rooms all have private bathrooms and constant hot water. The bathrooms could do with a bit of a makeover, perhaps, but they do the job. They are priced at between 105 and 155 Soles, which is not bad going for this standard of hotel. Breakfast is included, though it is mostly just tea, coffee, juice, bread and jam.
The hotel has a cafeteria which also has a computer which is free to use, and the wi-fi of which spreads to the rooms nearer to the cafeteria. They also have a pretty terrace, a laundry service and a free transport service – always a bonus.
It’s a pretty place, this, with the staff always friendly and cheerful and helpful, even when you want to borrow crockery and cutlery from the cafeteria kitchen! Definitely a good choice for central Arequipa.
Hotel de Los Balcones de Moral y Santa Catalina
Calle Moral 217, on the corner of Santa Catalina
Email: losbalconeshotel@hotmail.com, Tel: (054) 20 1291
Sophie Carville
Viva Latin America! 
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