Roosevelt Hotel & Suites

The included breakfast was so small it would barely satisfy a toddler. After two days of tiny servings of granola, I gave up and went out to Miguel Dasso, where I found better, more filling options. There's also an extra fee of about $10.00 USD that I can't justify, since there are no amenities to speak of. I suppose it covers that meager breakfast, so it only works out for management. Sleep was a struggle throughout my six-day stay. The hotel faces a badly congested street during the morning rush, and the old AC rumbled constantly. Noise came through the flimsy single-pane windows, and the thin walls let the next room's conversations spill into mine. The curtains were poorly designed too, and couldn't block the hotel's own outdoor lights or reflections from nearby shiny surfaces. If you're unlucky, a bus may stop in front at 3:00 am to collect guests who've stayed just one night for a tour in Ica. They can be as chatty as magpies at dawn, with no idea how much they're disturbing people trying to sleep. This used to be a lovely, quiet neighborhood in the 80s, but Lima has become a no-man's-land, preyed on by greedy developers and authorities. Overbuilding and constant traffic have taken over. Think Mumbai or Bangkok. The hotel badly needs a major renovation. Nothing seems to have been updated since it opened in the 1990s. Everything is operated manually, from the elevator to the safe, which won't close unless you give the knob an extra turn. The bathtub is about a third the size of a normal one, maybe delightful for an infant but not an adult.

The area was great, with lots of restaurants, bookshops, and cafes, and we couldn't have asked for more at the price. My partner was ill for the first part of our stay, so we needed room service often for food and other things. It was prompt, and the staff were just as friendly as we'd come to expect. The room was perfect for us, comfortable, air conditioned, and well kept, though not large. The hotel also serves seriously good food. Even the little croquetas were stunning. I loved staying here.

A great hotel in a very convenient part of San Isidro. The staff were especially helpful, and I want to thank Ana Gabriela and Jheral at reception, along with their colleagues.

Franklin is a welcome addition to the San Isidro dining scene. For us locals who've grown a bit tired of the restaurants and cafes on Dasso St. and nearby, it feels like a fresh idea. The menu has varied, appealing choices for any time, and the bar is well stocked with an inviting drinks list. It deserves more visits.