Trendy Host Connect, Barranco

I ended up in hospital for surgery and never got to stay here, which was probably for the best. I’m sure the facilities are lovely, but that doesn’t mean much when the service is so bad. My partner and I had booked the last two days of our Peru trip, stretching our budget for a restful treat. From the moment we arrived, the receptionist and the general atmosphere felt cold and hostile. We waited at the desk for more than half an hour without an explanation, then she let us leave our bags out back until the 3pm check-in. I came back at 2pm because I was feeling unwell, though I later found out it was appendicitis, and asked whether we could check in early. I was clearly in discomfort in the foyer, but the staff ignored me and stayed on their phones. Nobody offered help or showed any compassion. Of all the places I’ve been in South America, this was by far the worst.

Road noise is overwhelming. The single-pane windows block no sound, so the horns and loud motorcycles just keep going. The developer made a bad call not choosing soundproof windows. It’s like lying with your head on the ground beside a highway. There’s no trash chute, either, so you have to take rubbish down to the basement. The gym is a tiny room with no weights at all.

The location is handy for restaurants, shops, and transportation, and the price isn’t bad for a short vacation stay. The unit has a good view of the other buildings with the ocean behind them. There’s a 24/7 front desk, though security is very minimal. Inside, the building feels old, cramped, and not very clean, with mold and cracks. The hallways smell of other people’s odors, and there’s no AC in the common areas. The pool isn’t open, and the gym is so small there’s barely room for a couple of people. It gets hot and stuffy in the unit unless the AC is always on. Street noise is constant, with horns, loud motorcycles, and sirens, and the windows provide no sound insulation. You can also hear music and dogs from other units.

There were no sheets on the bed, and the place was dirty, with dust and hair everywhere. The internet didn’t work, and the host never replied to my message. Awful service. Never again.