Green Orchid Hostel

It was peaceful, and the manager was flexible about our extra requests. Everyone was very helpful and the service was excellent. There’s a terrace you can use for breakfast or reading, a lounge with a good TV, and free hot coffee.

Breakfast was disappointing, just espresso or tea and a roll, so we had to go out for a proper meal. We also didn’t feel comfortable asking the staff to keep our luggage after checkout, given how hostile they’d been. We went to another hostel and paid for storage instead. We only stayed two nights, and this was the worst part of our trip to Peru. We felt ripped off and absolutely don’t recommend it. At reception, a sign said checkout was noon, but early on an arrogant employee came to our door and told us we had to leave by 11. I argued that we could stay until noon as the sign said, and that’s when we left. Our Booking.com reservation was for a double room with a TV, bathtub, and balcony overlooking the garden, but room 101 had none of those. After we complained, they moved us. The new room had a broken TV, no bathtub, and a balcony facing the street. A bar there played loud music at night, and construction across the street made noise during the day. We had to make do with it. We arrived around 9 pm and were met by a very unfriendly, rather pedantic man. Taxes were already included in our Booking.com price, but they still charged us 18% extra in dollars, using an arbitrary exchange rate. The Peruvian Sol (PEN) was worth 3.78 USD that day, but they used 4 USD, so we paid even more. Card payments came with another 5% charge, and I had to hand over all my cash.

When I arrived, they told me that breakfast wasn’t included after all, despite my having paid for a night with breakfast. They said it was a mistake and wanted 10 soles for it. Bottled water at reception was also being sold at an exorbitant price. Run away! My computer was stolen from my room, along with another person’s digital tablet. I suspect hostel staff who sleep in the dorm may have been involved. They refused to give the security camera footage to the police, saying the cameras weren’t working that day. The police didn’t investigate further. It felt like organized theft.

It felt safe, the staff were very friendly, and the hotel was especially welcoming. There was free coffee all day, and it was close to everything. I loved it and felt comfortable. Good, nice, and cheap! 🤩