La Hacienda Bahia Paracas

We liked the attractive, well-kept grounds, and the restaurant and pool staff we met were warm and friendly. But the rooms didn't feel five-star: the shower tiles had a lot of pink mold, so I wore flip-flops, and the room itself was only okay. Reception was less welcoming, and we avoided it after a few off-putting interactions. Before arriving, I emailed to ask about a birthday treat for my partner. They said they'd arrange something once we provided his passport as proof, but nothing was prepared or even mentioned. The hotel we stayed at the night before surprised him with a small cake without us asking, which felt like real hospitality. We also paid USD $10 per person for the hot “jacuzzi” pool beside the main pool. It was only open at night and couldn't be booked privately. We had to cancel because it was my partner's birthday and our tour guide had arranged an event we wanted to attend. We were still charged because, they said, the pool had just been turned on. We'd tried calling to cancel, but neither we nor the guide could get through, despite reception saying the phone lines “were open”. We had to take a tuk-tuk back just to tell them in person. Getting into Paracas was awkward too: tuk-tuks don't go to the hotel, Uber was said to have a 50-minute wait, and reception offered a taxi only after we'd been stuck for 15 minutes. Other places we stayed in Peru had exceptional, attentive staff, which wasn't our experience here. For a five-star listing that cost close to AUD $800 for two nights, this was very disappointing.

A very loud van used to water the hotel's lawn ran for hours and made it impossible to enjoy the beach. It was disappointing to see so little consideration for guests, and especially for the protected habitat. This practice was annoying and very unsustainable.

The on-site restaurant made things really convenient, and the views were spectacular. The team was so attentive and caring that it was hard to believe. A fantastic stay.

The pool was fabulous, the rooms were spacious and clean, and the staff paid close attention to guests. Great hotel.