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The Best Address in Lima, PeruBy Madelyn Miller
Melia Lima is located in the ideal location in the center of the city business and commercial centre, near the Jorge Chavez Inter-national Airport and the historical center of Lima, declared as a World heritage site by UNESCO. It is ideal for vacationers and business travelers visiting Peru’s capital city. The Melia Lima is located only 20 minutes from the Jorge Chavez International Airport, in the heart of Lima, Peru. It is within minutes of the financial business district, museums, arts complexes, restaurants, shopping and entertainment. The historic city center of Lima itself is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Western Hemisphere. I loved that I could walk in the garden outside the restaurant and that only a few blocks away was a supermarket where I could pick up gourmet souvenirs like the tea and spices I brought back for friends. This was my last stop on a two week trip to Peru and it was a perfect place to settle back and reflect on the culture and the people I had met. And I actually met some new friends at the buffet breakfast, two teachers who were at a conference at the hotel and enjoying the property as much as I was. We chatted over the buffet elaborate breakfast that also included custom made eggs delivered to the table. And I saw them again at what I consider tea but is called “Ice Time” at the Hotel Melia Lima, an extraordinary buffet of sandwiches, salads and enough desserts to overwhelm even a compulsive sweet tooth. The buffet from 5pm to 8pm includes beverages and is a bargain at 29. And the kitchen never rests. Each day there is a different buffet of Spanish, Italian, seafood and etc. for 50. And if you are still hungry, there is always 24 hour room service.
The 188-room Melia Lima features 29 luxurious junior suites and one Presidential suite. All rooms include air conditioning, direct dial telephone, minibar, satellite color television, safes, daily newspaper and rooms specially equipped for the physically handicapped.
The hotel security is exceptional and was almost too good for me. You need to use your key card to get the elevator to go to your floor. I had trouble the first few times I tried to use the card in the elevator (my hands were filled with packages from all the bargains I found every time I walked out onto a street in Lima) and as soon as the staff noticed that, they seemed to always be there with a master key to send my elevator up. Talk about service.
When it is time to relax and unwind, Melia Lima will indulge you with a variety of options, including an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel is very popular with brides and couples celebrating their anniversary. A special package includes a junior suite with Jacuzzi, welcome cocktail, a bottle of champagne and canapés, breakfast in bed and airport transportation But most of all, I will remember how welcome everyone in the hotel made me feel. On the back of a business card one staff member gave me was handwritten the note, “we look forward to your next visit:” So do I. Melia Lima Peru is located on the central Western part of South America, immediately below the equator, the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Its climate should be tropical; however, the cold waters of the Humboldt current and the Andes Mountain Range, make Peru a country of incredible contrasts. FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.peru.org.pe LANGUAGESpanish and Quechua are the official languages in Peru. It is possible to communicate in English with people who provide tourist services. MONEYThe official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. HOW TO GET THERE |
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In each country, there is one location or address that
seems to work for everyone. In Lima, I found it to be the Hotel Melia Lima.
When you check in, you are given a certificate for a
Pisco sour, the national drink of Peru. And here’s a tip—if you look for the
meal flyers in the lobby, they have another coupon for a pisco sour. This is
important, because drinking pisco sours can be habit forming.
The hotel also features the exclusive Royal Service
floors, offering a variety of preferential privileges such as private
lounge, butler service, concierge, breakfast, evening cocktails, and other
amenities.
Business facilities include two large meeting rooms and
a professional business center. All facilities are equipped with fax/modem
connections and direct dial telephone services, equipped for meetings,
congresses, conventions and incentives. A call to the front and a wizard was
in my room to connect my laptop to the internet. But even if you need to use
the business center, prices were very reasonable.