Peru is a rustic of jaw-dropping landscapes, however I did not come for the traditional Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. I got here for Lima, a vibrant metropolis that is residence to 11 million folks. On my first night on the town, standing on the Malecón pedestrian boardwalk above the Costa Verde cliffs, I watched because the Pacific turned amber after which violet because the solar set. I understood instantly why the Peruvian capital deserves a visit all its personal.
Most first-time guests to Peru spend precisely one evening right here earlier than speeding off to Machu Picchu. I spent 4 — and I would argue that is the smarter journey. The capital has quietly turn out to be some of the compelling city locations in South America, and Miraflores, its most visitor-friendly district, now has a luxurious resort worthy of anchoring a correct keep.
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What’s it like at InterContinental Actual Lima Miraflores by IHG?
The 292-room, 29-suite InterContinental opened in June 2025, and it nonetheless has that unmistakable new-hotel air — all the things is in pristine situation with not a nick or scuff in sight. However what strikes you first is not the novelty. It is the foyer.
Inside designer Germán Margozzini, a Lima hospitality veteran, constructed the ground-floor public areas round a vocabulary of heat neutrals, darkish browns and polished marble. The end result: Area that really feel luxurious however grounded, extra non-public membership than glitzy resort. The centerpiece is a dramatic double-helix spiral staircase, its white sculpted curves and black treads rising by means of a number of flooring in opposition to a glass curtain wall, lit from beneath for impact. It is the type of architectural gesture that stops you mid-step.
The check-in desk continues that distinction by means of a traditional-style darkish wooden counter with carved legs, that would not look misplaced in a Lima mansion, set in opposition to a floor-to-ceiling shelving set up styled like a gentleman’s library: curated artwork books, ceramic vessels, a brass dome lamp. Overhead, a big summary ink portray anchors the wall. Within the adjoining lounge, giant round sculptural rings dangle from a double-height ceiling, whereas outsized pictures of grand European interiors — gilded halls, chandeliered corridors — share wall house with daring geometric abstracts. It is eclectic however thought-about, and it provides the foyer a gallery-like power that rewards lingering.
Add to this the extravagant floral preparations — towering bursts of birds-of-paradise alongside ginger and tropical foliage that really feel distinctly Peruvian — and you’ve got a primary impression that’s, frankly, fairly good. Whether or not all of it provides as much as a “sense of place” is a good query; Margozzini’s design sensibility skews cosmopolitan over native. However it’s polished, heat and delightful.
What’s additionally fascinating is that the complicated includes two associated properties that share restaurant entry: the InterContinental and Resort Indigo Miraflores. That is truly the primary Resort Indigo in South America. The placement seals the deal: a fast stroll throughout the road reaches Larcomar, and the Malecón strolling path places the artsy Barranco neighborhood properly inside attain.
The Government Membership lounge was one other compelling characteristic: A devoted VIP house with panoramic Pacific views, comfortable seating and complimentary meals and drinks (the native Inca Kola was a deal with). Employees realized our names instantly and helped us plan each day itineraries and suss out eating places that matched our tastes.
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And the rooftop infinity pool, whereas not giant, was uncrowded and supplied splendid ocean views. A really stress-free spot.
How a lot does it value to remain on the InterContinental Lima and the way do you have to guide it?
Trying on the resort’s money costs over the subsequent 12 months, you may discover all-in nightly charges from $269 to $299 in June, August by means of February, and in April. Should you want to make use of IHG One Rewards factors, nights throughout these months vary from 47,000 to 53,000 every. March, Could and July are pricier, with nights starting from $385 to $497 or 60,000 to 85,000.
Associated studying: IHG One Rewards: How to earn and redeem points, elite status and more
The resort provides 441-square-foot Traditional rooms, many with glorious ocean views. The 29 suites have a bit extra selection. Junior Suites can be found at 600 to 670 sq. ft, in addition to a bigger model that is roughly 800 sq. ft. Each choices supply ocean views. The Government Suite lands at 1,220 sq. ft and provides a separate tub and walk-in bathe, whereas the biggest suite, the two,010-square-foot Ambassador Suite, provides a separate tub and walk-in bathe. All rooms and suites could embrace entry to the membership lounge, relying in your reserving.
Earlier than reserving my keep, I thought-about all of the choices. I may have used IHG One Rewards factors for my April keep (or transferred Chase Final Rewards factors to my IHG account). Nevertheless, the money worth was low (about $280 per evening), so that did not make sense.
Realizing I would pay money, the subsequent query was which bank card and journey reserving portal would supply probably the most attractive advantages and extras. My choices included reserving with my:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve card by way of the Chase portal and making the most of The Edit and IHG-specific annual credit,
- American Specific Platinum by way of Amex’s Superb Resorts + Resorts program, providing free breakfast, meals and beverage credit score and the potential for a space-available room improve,
- Bilt Palladium card, which provides a Home Away from Home reserving with extras (since I’ve Bilt Gold standing) and the choice to make use of some Bilt Money that I lately earned.
I opted to guide this stick with my Bilt card. It was completely the precise factor to do. Not solely did I obtain a room improve, but in addition entry to the unique Government Membership lounge, free breakfast each day and IHG elite evening credit score.
Rooms at InterContinental Actual Lima Miraflores by IHG
The InterContinental’s visitor rooms and suites are well-designed and spacious. They’re precisely what you’d count on at an InterContinental property: trendy but understated design with high-end prospers and Byredo Bal D’Afrique tub facilities.
Rooms are very snug however they do not exude the Peruvian spirit. Do not get me incorrect, I liked our junior suite with its mild wooden flooring, crisp grays and greens with a couple of pops of orange, however the room may have been anyplace on this planet. In actual fact, the field cutout framing the floor-to-ceiling home windows jogged my memory of The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.
We truly received to remain in two totally different rooms: a king Traditional with Government Membership entry on a excessive flooring and one of many 800-square-feet Junior Suites (additionally with membership entry). Each have been upgrades of the Traditional king room I booked by means of Bilt’s House Away from House platform.
The transfer to the suite was because of a defective air-conditioner that determined to kick the bucket in our first room. The in-house handyman tried to get it began once more, however after two tries, the resort determined to maneuver as much as the suite to keep away from any wasted trip time. We appreciated that. A candy snack (some candies) greeted us upon arrival in each rooms. That was beautiful, however I’d have most popular one thing with a stronger Peruvian aptitude. Earlier within the journey, we stayed on the JW Marriott Resort Lima and acquired two good-sized bottles of fancy native sea salt as a welcome present.
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Junior Suite. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
I’d guide the Traditional king once more for brief stays, however for 3 or extra nights, I would probably spring for the Junior Suite. It was good having a eating desk and chairs in addition to a full couch. And, the toilet — with a separate tub and bathe — was a plus.
Eating at InterContinental Actual Lima Miraflores by IHG
The Government Membership lounge on the twentieth flooring supplied the very best eating we skilled on the resort.
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Government Membership. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
Our Bilt House Away From House reserving additionally included complimentary breakfast at The Market on the third flooring. We selected the buffet, however you too can order from the a la carte menu. The fruit and array of recent juices have been particularly good. The Market can be open for lunch and dinner.
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The Market provides breakfast as a buffet or a la carte. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
I am sorry to say that the one dinner we had on the resort’s outside Circo was disappointing. The vibe was beautiful with snug furnishings, room between the tables and twinkling fairy lights, however the meals was poorly ready, particularly a steak which was so overcooked they needed to carry out a second one, and that was equally inedible. We in all probability ought to have caught with a pizza from the brick oven, however the crust appeared too thick — akin to Boboli — for our liking.
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Octopus dish at Circo. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
I am hopeful Circo will enhance over time (we visited only a few months after the resort opened). However with so many unbelievable eating places in Lima, I’d not advocate reserving dinner at this resort. There are much better choices simply steps away.
Different eating choices on the InterContinental embrace:
- Nau Nikkei Lounge, a restaurant on the rooftop that serves Nikkei delicacies, which is a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors (suppose sushi, tempura, lomo saltado and extra).
- Manufacturing unit Steak & Lobster on the primary flooring, serving high-end (expensive) steaks and seafood.
- Nina, positioned subsequent door on the Resort Indigo, serves conventional Peruvian dishes. The menu leans into consolation meals, reminiscent of papa rellena (potato filled with meat, Creole sauce and chili mayonnaise), ceviche and pastel de choclo (brief rib with mushrooms, Cajamarca cheese and Peruvian corn desserts).
Facilities and issues to do
When in Lima, the vacation spot itself is the star, however the InterContinental Actual Lima Miraflores provides some strong facilities so that you can get pleasure from throughout your downtime. These embrace the next:
- A spacious health middle kitted out with TechnoGym gear and weights
- The Presence Spa with one {couples} therapy room and three single rooms providing massages and facials; you may additionally discover moist and dry saunas and a rest room
- A small however beautiful rooftop infinity pool with a half-dozen loungers, two sunbeds and gorgeous seashore and ocean views
- The Government Membership lounge on the twentieth flooring, serving breakfast and glad hour drinks and snacks for visitors booked in Government rooms and suites
- A enterprise middle
Insider ideas
- Splurge for a room or suite on the next flooring. The sweeping ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling home windows are definitely worth the premium.
- Stroll throughout the road to the Malecón about an hour earlier than sundown for a unbelievable photograph opp.
- When you’ve got Government Membership entry, undoubtedly ask for his or her help in planning your keep. The entire suggestions we acquired have been on level for what was most essential for our trip.
- Go to the pool throughout early morning hours or at dinnertime and you may probably have all of it to your self.
Accessibility
InterContinental accommodations and resorts do an excellent job of constructing their properties accessible and the InterContinental Actual Lima Miraflores is not any totally different. As you arrive on the resort, there’s a huge entrance with a ramp for many who must keep away from a step up. Huge entry doorways are on both facet of the central revolving door.
People with Disabilities Act-compliant elevators serve all resort ranges; there’s ramp entry to the rooftop pool; and the resort has a wheelchair accessible for visitors as wanted.
There are a selection of ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible visitor rooms with options reminiscent of bogs with seize bars, tall rest room seats, showers with built-in switch seats and accessible toilet controls.
Trying out
Should you’re the kind who desires the air of familiarity round you — even whereas touring — InterContinental Actual Lima Miraflores is an efficient guess. It strikes a pleasant stability between delivering a product that largely meets your expectations of a high-end property whereas mixing delicate conventional Peruvian prospers into its inside design and restaurant menus.
The place the InterContinental shines is within the some ways you’ll be able to guide with loyalty factors (IHG, American Specific Membership Rewards, Bilt, Chase Final Rewards and extra). And do not forget about these additional bank card advantages — like complimentary space-available room upgrades, free breakfast and different perks — if you guide by way of portals like American Specific Superb Resorts + Resorts, Chase’s The Edit and Bilt’s House Away From House program.
Nevertheless, if you happen to usually gravitate towards boutique or art-centric properties, look within the close by Barranco neighborhood. There, you are nearer to quiet tree-lined streets, cool retailers and artists’ galleries, reminiscent of the wonderful Museo Jade Rivera.
Searching for romantic sundown and ocean views with fast entry to the Malecon boardwalk proper outdoors your door? Then the InterContinental is a unbelievable selection.
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