Aranwa Paracas Resort & Spa

The pools were great, the restaurants served delicious food, and parking was easy. Staff were polite and service minded throughout. It may not be as fancy as a Hyatt or the Hiltons, but I thought it was worth the price. The location also works well if you want to be between Pisco, Tacama, Huacachina, and Ica. One thing to know: the restaurant is presented as being right by the beach, which can make it sound as if there’s a private beach for swimming or relaxing. But the beach in front of the hotel is closed to people, and you still have to drive about five minutes to Paracas beach. If you’re booking mainly for beach access, this isn’t the hotel for you.

We went in the off season and liked how quiet it was. The location made it easy to walk to everything, and the pools were clean and the facilities well cared for. Breakfast was fantastic. The rest of the staff were A+, especially Guiller, our dinner waiter, who we enjoyed talking with. The sushi restaurant never opened, even though the front desk had told us its hours. I understand they may not have been able to keep it running with so few guests, but they should have told us that instead of making it sound open. The bartender was unfriendly and extremely slow. The one margarita I ordered was so bad I didn’t want another drink from him. Still, we loved our stay at Aranwa!

The people working here made the stay. They were welcoming, quick to help, and seemed to know when we needed something, whether it was directions, extra towels, or tips on nearby activities. Breakfast service was just as attentive, with coffee refilled and tables cleared promptly. The buffet was fresh and plentiful, with eggs, fruit, breads, cereal, and coffee. We also enjoyed the on-site menu for other meals, which had a nice range of choices and fair prices for the quality. The setting is calm and beautifully kept, and the location works well for a day at the nearby reserve followed by time to unwind. The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, with a cozy bed and a few pillow choices. The curtains blocked most light, though they weren’t fully blackout and some came in around the edges in the morning. The gym was basic, with limited equipment. A few more machines or free weights would help. Those two small things didn’t take away from a great stay. I left feeling refreshed and happy with the choice, and would return. It’s an easy place to slow down, enjoy the grounds and reserve, and let the staff look after you.

The resort itself was clean and really nice, and the service was good. But the pool was freezing, and even though staff kept saying they’d turn on its heater, they never did. We’d paid extra for a room with direct pool access and didn’t use it at all, so that felt like wasted money. With the weather a bit cold, the pool could’ve been a big part of keeping us entertained, but it was too cold and we got bored. A lot of the amenities and entertainment weren’t operating, presumably because it was low season. My family and I stayed a few weeks ago, and I’m not sure I’d try the place again.