The Secret Garden Hostel

Marjori made the stay feel special, handing out free homemade shots in several tasty pisco varieties. The beds and facilities were good too, and the hostel is in a nice, fairly safe part of Miraflores. Good, straightforward place. Until next time!

The price they asked for on arrival was twice what I’d seen online at Booking.com and Hostelworld, where the USD rates looked reasonable. They use their own soles-to-dollar exchange rate, far above the real one. They say it accounts for fluctuations, but in the two months I’ve been here the actual rate hasn’t moved. It feels like a cash grab. There are also lots of five-star reviews because guests are asked to write one for a chance to get their first night free. Those reviews don’t feel genuine.

The location is the one real plus. We were told on arrival that we could pay by card with an added 5% fee, or in cash. The receptionist suggested paying cash later, after we’d withdrawn money. When we returned, she said she’d convert the Booking price from USD into soles. We trusted that and paid without checking the math right then. In the room, we compared the amount with the day’s actual exchange rate and saw we’d paid 10% more than the Booking price should have come to. A different staff member at reception said paying in soles meant using the hostel’s rate because “Booking is in USD.” They set it at 1 USD = 3.6 soles, which clearly hasn’t been updated for months and adds about 10% to the bill. We showed online evidence that it was wrong, but got only “That’s hotel policy.” No explanation or transparency. Card payment means their rate plus another 5% fee; cash means their rate, so either way we were overcharged. They also ask for your ID or a 20-sole deposit for the key. On our second night, the key broke in the lock, apparently because the equipment was so poor, and we still had to pay 10 soles for it. There’s no filtered water, coffee, tea, or included breakfast either. What bothered us most wasn’t the 10 soles or the extra 10%, but the way they took it and their refusal to be fair or open about it. Places that apply card fees, unjustified exchange rates, or other ways of squeezing tourists for every cent are usually the least honest. This experience said a lot about the place.

I’ve stayed here twice now, and both visits have been comfortable and quiet. My room had a roomy private bathroom with a walk-in shower, strong water pressure, and plenty of hot water, plus a large comfortable bed, smart TV on the wall, and ceiling fan. The shared kitchen was clean and well cared for, and the Wi-Fi worked very well. The hostel is in a great part of Miraflores, close to restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, laundries, and Peruvian craft shops. Staff were professional, polite, and spoke English. Breakfast is available for a small extra charge. I had a very pleasant two weeks here and would stay again when I’m in Lima.