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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 5 Reviews and 115 Opinions
Jiron de la Union 958, Plaza San Martin, Lima, Peru
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of people enjoy staying here
120 Opinions
littlesam1
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I know many times when I am looking at Virtual Tourist pages I don't always look at all of the pictures uploaded for a tip. I usually look at the first one and move one. I wanted to make sure anyone who reads this page does not miss any photos of this hotel so I am uploaded a few more in a seperate tip here. The hotel has to be seen to be believed. Looking back I am still shocked at the bargain we received when booking this hotel.
Unique Quality: The large are you see in these photos is the actual private balcony attached to the room we rented. I sat out on this balcony late at night watching the traffic go by and watching the activity late in the evening on Plaza San Martin. It was difficult to go to bed with so much to see and do.
Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima
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littlesam1
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We were extremely fortunate to be able to stay in Central Lima at the Gran Hotel Bolivar. We booked the room through Agoda.com and received an outstanding deal. The hotel was running a special on the site and we booked a room for $24 a night. This sounds like the price for a hostel or one star hotel. The Gran Hotel Bolivar is a classic 4 or 5 star hotel from the 1920's. What we thought would be a room was in actuality as suite. We had a private balcony that was the size of most hotel rooms themselves. From the balcony we had a direct view of the beautiful Plaza San Martin. The hotel is located in a very safe neighborhood and is centrally located in the middle of the shopping and tourist district.
Unique Quality: The hotel is aging as some people have commented on various reviews on the internet. But don't let that put you off. The hotel is aging gracefully. The staff is friendly. The hotel is spotless. When you enter the main door its like stepping back into time. You will feel like you have entered the 1920's. There are not enough words to describe the experience. Let me just say that this was one of the best experiences I have had traveling and staying at a hotel.
Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima
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ValbyDK
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We stayed two nights at the Gran Hotel Bolivar in the centre of Lima, a 20 minutes drive from the airport. The location of the hotel was great, right on Plaza San Martin in the old town, very close to the many shops on ‘Jirón de la Union’ and within walking distance to Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral and many other interesting sights.
The hotel was built in the 1920s, and was once regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Peru - a hotel where presidents and Hollywood celebrities often stayed. Today, the glory may have faded, but you can still see some of the old elegance when you enter the hotel. The foyer is quite impressive with the stained-glass-dome, the front desk area decorated with old furniture – and an old Ford automobile placed in the middle of the lobby!
Our room was clean and very spacious. Actually, it was two connected rooms - one with a double bed and a TV and one with two twin beds and a sofa group. The bathroom was also huge and clean, but there was not much hot water in the shower! The room wasn’t equipped with mini-bar or safety box, but you can rent a safety box at the reception. I can’t remember if there was Wi-Fi in the room, but there were two free computers (with very slow internet connection) next to the reception.
Breakfast was included in the room rate. It was not the traditional breakfast buffet, but breakfast ‘a la carte’. Plain, but with a selection of coffee, tea, fresh pressed juice, bread, scrambled egg, fried egg and a few other things…
All in all - there are some things about the hotel that could be improved. You’ll find a few cracks in the walls and missing paint here and there, but in my opinion the Gran Hotel Bolivar still has a lot of charm and atmosphere and I would stay there again anytime.
If you stay at Gran Hotel Bolivar you must visit the bar next door. The name is ‘Bolivarcito’, but calls itself ‘La Catedral del Pisco Sour’ – and they do serve some great pisco sour. Be careful, the drinks are very strong…
Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima Photo: Gran Hotel Bolivar
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Urzu
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Unique Quality: Well, having so much family in Lima, I wouldn't stay in a Hotel, right? Still I thought I'd add a tip of the Hotel Bolívar, so you can go see it, even if only to have a "chela" (beer) just like I did. The Hotel Bolívar takes it's name from the "liberador" Simón Bolívar, and it was built to commemorate the independance of Peru. This was one of the first luxury hotels in Lima, and in its rooms many famous people have stayed during the years.
Nowadays the hotel could be doing better, and while I was there I heard that some people even wanted to close it down. However it's very nice to go and explore the inside (especially at night when it feels like a ghost might just appear around the corner!). if you go to the bar the prices won't be crazy high, so no reason why not to go and enjoy a Cusqueña or a Pisco Sour!
Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima
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Eish
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We loved the colonial grandness and splendour, from the car on display in the entrance, the chandaliers and marble staircases, to the wooden floors and stately furniture in the room. It is a historical building, built in 1924 to house visiting dignitaries attending the centenary celebration of the Battle of Ayacucho, which was the final batle in the Peruvian war of Independence.
The hotel is in the centre of Lima, and as it happens, the night we stayed was also the time of a political rally and demonstration. The police had cordoned off the hotel as the political speeches were being made from the hotel's front staircase. Our taxi driver parted the police by telling them that the senora (me) was pregnant!
We ate a lovely dinner on the patio cafe of the hotel, protected by electric fencing from protesting demonstrators in the street outside. The cafe has a wonderful view of the street vibe: the hooting cars (many with hooters that sound like police sirens).
Our room had SPACE (high ceilings plenty of floor space), and was very comfortable, to the point of being luxurious (for a $80 room for 4 people in 2005) after much of the backpacking or budget accommodation we used previously. The room rate is open to negotiation, but do that before you arrive. Our taxi driver had negotiated a reduction for us. There are 104 rooms, and we delighted in getting gloriously lost trying to navigate to our room. The rooms have en suite bathrooms (including bath tubes if you believe their web site), TVs and balconies.
Gran Hotel Bolivar Lima Photo: The atrium from the grand staircase
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This hotel is a classic in Lima, an institution since it was built in the 1920s.
I didn't sleep here, but I stepped in for a continental breakfast (10 soles, approx 3€) at the pleasant terrace and to sneak around a bit. It really deserves a visit.
Its PISCO SOUR coacktails are famous worldwide.
A good piece of the good old - glorious - days of the good old city Lima. Best situation (old town), best service - like in the best Lima-times. A very old jewellery box. With the best Pisco in town! Great venerable rooms (suites) wich gives the feeling of beeing important.
This is one of the classical Hotels in Lima, and one of the oldest. Might be a bit old fashioned now, but I liked it. I didn't sleep here (a bit above my budget) but went for a visit and had breakfast at its delicious terrace. The lobby and the stairs are great and all that 19th century style is simply wonderful!
Hotel Bolivar
Hotel Bolivar in Lima
hi,
wife, 16 month-old son, and i arrive early oct., for 2 days.
looking at hotels, how is grand bolivar? looks like cool old building, but everything says its not renovated. does that matter for 2 days? the price is right, and seems a little more local than staying at best western.
also, how is location?
what should we see/do? arrive on a monday, leave on wednesday.
markets? restaurants?
thanks
Hi, I live in Lima where is the hotel tell me the district and I can tell you what that area is like Im a gringo but Ive been everywhere in Lima including La Victoria . there you can get some good but chepa food and drink of the la selva.
The Gran Bolivar is a faded, once-grand old hotel right in the city centre, where there is a high risk of crime. Within easy walking distance of Plaza de Armas and most places you'll want to see. I suggest you look up the (very mixed) reviews at http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294316-d316158-r8508262-Gran_Hotel_Bolivar-Lima.html, and then make up your own mind. The alternative - where most visitors stay - is more salubrious Miraflores.
I now remember the hotel your speaking of is acually at Plaza San martin . I know this area well. Its true many tourists go to Miraflores but thats really boring. I used to liv ein Miraflores. Why not try one of the other districts. But it depends if you havent traveled much before.
Hi!
I live in Lima and I did not recommend you the Hotel Bolivar because it is in the downtown, so, too noise, chaos, etc etc etc ....... Miraflores is a nice area.
sandro
Well, having so much family in Lima, I wouldn't stay in a Hotel, right? Still I thought I'd add a tip of the Hotel Bolívar, so you can go see it, even if only to have a "chela" (beer) just like I did. The Hotel Bolívar takes it's name from the "liberador" Simón Bolívar, and it was built to commemorate the independance of Peru. This was one of the first luxury hotels in Lima, and in its rooms many famous people have stayed during the years.
Nowadays the hotel could be doing better, and while I was there I heard that some people even wanted to close it down. However it's very nice to go and explore the inside (especially at night when it feels like a ghost might just appear around the corner!). if you go to the bar the prices won't be crazy high, so no reason why not to go and enjoy a Cusqueña or a Pisco Sour!
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Address: Jiron de la Union 958, Plaza San Martin, Lima, Peru
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