🇵🇪 Arequipa, Peru
Conde de Lemos
📍 201, Calle Simón Bolívar, Arequipa
Your stay — Conde de Lemos
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The Property — Conde de Lemos
The Conde de Lemos is a calm, colonial-style hotel on Arequipa’s main square. Walking into the lobby you get high ceilings, dark wood furniture and a small courtyard with a fountain. Its main appeal is the location: you’re right on Plaza de Armas, so the cathedral, La Compañía church and most restaurants are a one-minute walk away. It’s a sensible choice for travellers who want a clean, central base with local character rather than luxury frills.
Chronicles of Arequipa
Arequipa was founded in 1540 by Spanish colonisers on land that had been part of the Inca empire. It grew wealthy from silver mining and agriculture, and its historic centre was built with sillar, a white volcanic stone that gives the city its nickname ‘the White City’. The 2000 UNESCO designation of its colonial core protected the baroque churches, arched cloisters and plazas that define the city today. Modern Arequipa balances this colonial legacy with a busy university scene and a thriving culinary reputation, particularly known for rocoto relleno and adobo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Arequipa guide →Best months
April, May and September: clear skies, cool evenings, and fewer tourists than June–August. Daytime highs around 22°C, perfect for walking the historic centre.
Peak / festival surge
August is the busiest month because of the anniversary of the city’s founding (15 August) and the coinciding Arequipa Week celebrations. Hotel prices can jump 20–30% from July. The event brings parades, concerts and street food fairs.
Budget shoulder season
October and November offer mild weather, lower room rates (up to 25% less than peak) and notably thinner crowds at Colca Canyon and the Santa Catalina convent.
Weather & packing
Arequipa’s desert altitude (2,335m) means strong sun by day and chilly nights—temperature swings of 10–15°C are normal. Pack layers: a light fleece or jacket for evenings, plus sunblock and a hat for midday.
Live City Briefing — Arequipa
- The cable car to the Carmen Alto viewpoint reopened in late 2025 after maintenance; it’s a 10-minute ride offering panoramic views of the Misti volcano.
- Arequipa’s airport is undergoing expansion work on the terminal; flight delays of 30–60 minutes have been reported during peak hours—allow extra time for transfers.
- The city council has pedestrianised most of Calle San Francisco (two blocks from the Plaza) until the end of 2026 to expand outdoor dining space; it’s now a pleasant, traffic-free corridor.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Conde de Lemos, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, facing the interior courtyard (away from Calle Simón Bolívar). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and offer more privacy, while the courtyard side avoids the traffic and pedestrian commotion on the main street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor and any room facing Calle Simón Bolívar, especially those near the reception or breakfast area. First-floor rooms have higher noise from the lobby and footfall; street-facing rooms get traffic and bar noise from the busy central road.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms facing the courtyard have the best view of the interior garden or patio, which is calm and green. Street-facing rooms at the front offer a view of Calle Simón Bolívar and the bustling historic centre, but with significant noise trade-off.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4, particularly if they overlook the courtyard or a quiet side alley.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle Simón Bolívar is a historic central street with bus routes, taxis, and pedestrian flow. Noise peaks during daytime (market hours) and continues until late evening near bars and restaurants. The courtyard side is quieter, though some sound may carry from the breakfast or common areas.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side, even if it means a smaller window—it's noticeably quieter during Arequipa's busy daytime. 2) The hotel lacks a lift in the colonial wing; if you have heavy luggage, request a ground-floor room or the wing with elevator access. Check at check-in which wing serves your room.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Conde de Lemos
Free basic Wi-Fi (2–3 Mbps) in rooms and lobby; no login constraints. No paid upgrade available.
Yes, one lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Building is a converted 18th-century mansion with original stone walls in the courtyard.
Standard check-in from 13:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out fee of 30 PEN if available.
Free luggage storage after check-out until 18:00.
No step-free access at main entrance (one small curb step). Wheelchair users can enter via a portable ramp on request. No accessible bathrooms or lifts wide enough for large chairs.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Santa Catalina at Calle Santa Catalina 112, 24-hour rate 35 PEN. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (not charged in Arequipa for domestic or foreign tourists)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit for standard bookings. At check-in, a hold of approx. 100 PEN on a card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Francisco (213 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Basílica Catedral de Arequipa (281 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: San Agustín (448 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: El Aposento Alto (488 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Panorámico — 455 m · ~6 min walk
San Francisco — 214 m · ~3 min walk
Palacio Arzobispal — 171 m · ~2 min walk
Teatro Umbral — 124 m · ~2 min walk
Icombat Perú — 412 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Multired — 383 m · ~5 min walk
Mifarma — 144 m · ~2 min walk
El Super — 504 m · ~6 min walk
Estación de buses La Joya — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs from major banks like BBVA or Scotiabank for the best rates; avoid exchange offices at Arequipa's airport and tourist bureaux which charge poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels; smaller shops and markets are cash-only – contactless is common for small payments.
No mandatory tipping; locals round up bills or leave 5-10% in sit-down restaurants; taxi drivers don't expect tips; hotel porters get 5-10 soles.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A menú coffee from a local café (espresso or filter) costs around 3-5 soles.
The menú del día (set lunch) at a simple local restaurant costs 12-18 soles and includes soup, main, and a drink.
A main dish at a casual eatery, such as a pollo a la brasa quarter chicken with chips, costs 12-20 soles.
Cheap eats concentrate around Mercado San Camilo and along the pedestrianised calle Santa Catalina – think anticuchos and tamales for 5-8 soles.
Plaza Vea and Metro are the main budget supermarket chains in the area.
Local markets like Mercado San Camilo sell basic clothing at low prices; for better selection, the high-street shops along Av. Ejército are affordable.
The cheapest way around is by microbus (2 soles per ride on most routes); from Arequipa airport, take a colectivo or minibus to the city centre for about 5 soles per person (a taxi costs 30-50 soles).
Always opt for the menú del día for lunch, not dinner; carry small denomination soles (coins and notes) for street food and microbuses; negotiate with taxi drivers before getting in.
Good to know — Arequipa
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Arequipa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Conde de Lemos
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Multired — 383 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Mifarma — 144 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Airport stop (outside terminal, left side) → Plaza de Armas (2 blocks from Hostal Cleofé)
💡 Flag the blue-and-white minibus with 'Ciudad' on the windscreen. It runs along Avenida Ejército then down to the plaza. Ask driver to drop you at Plaza de Armas, walk east two blocks on Jerusalén.
Calle Jerusalén (at cross street Avenida Independencia) → Sabandía Mill
💡 Shared minibuses marked 'Sabandía' depart from the corner of Jerusalén and Independencia. They're cramped but cheap. Exact change required; pay as you board.
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport → Hostal Cleofé (Calle Jerusalén)
💡 Use the official taxi stand just outside arrivals. Unofficial drivers outside the fence often overcharge by triple. Pay in soles, not dollars.
Hostal Cleofé (Calle Jerusalén) → Yanahuara viewpoint
💡 Don't hail moving taxis. Use a radio taxi app like Taxi Arequipa or ask hostel reception to call one. Negotiate fare before getting in.
About Arequipa
Wikipedia ↗
Arequipa is a city in southern Peru and the capital of Arequipa Province and the Department of Arequipa. With a projected population of 1,195,700 in 2025, it is the country's second most populous city after Lima. It is the official seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and is known as the "Legal ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Conde de Lemos?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, facing the interior courtyard (away from Calle Simón Bolívar). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and offer more privacy, while the courtyard side avoids the traffic and pedestrian commotion on the main street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Conde de Lemos?
Avoid rooms on the first floor and any room facing Calle Simón Bolívar, especially those near the reception or breakfast area. First-floor rooms have higher noise from the lobby and footfall; street-facing rooms get traffic and bar noise from the busy central road.
Is Conde de Lemos noisy?
Calle Simón Bolívar is a historic central street with bus routes, taxis, and pedestrian flow. Noise peaks during daytime (market hours) and continues until late evening near bars and restaurants. The courtyard side is quieter, though some sound may carry from the breakfast or common areas.
Which rooms have the best views at Conde de Lemos?
Upper-floor rooms facing the courtyard have the best view of the interior garden or patio, which is calm and green. Street-facing rooms at the front offer a view of Calle Simón Bolívar and the bustling historic centre, but with significant noise trade-off.
What are insider tips for staying at Conde de Lemos?
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side, even if it means a smaller window—it's noticeably quieter during Arequipa's busy daytime. 2) The hotel lacks a lift in the colonial wing; if you have heavy luggage, request a ground-floor room or the wing with elevator access. Check at check-in which wing serves your room.
What time is check-in at Conde de Lemos?
Check-in at Conde de Lemos is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Conde de Lemos have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2–3 Mbps) in rooms and lobby; no login constraints. No paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Conde de Lemos?
None (not charged in Arequipa for domestic or foreign tourists)
Where can I eat cheaply near Conde de Lemos?
The menú del día (set lunch) at a simple local restaurant costs 12-18 soles and includes soup, main, and a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Conde de Lemos?
The cheapest way around is by microbus (2 soles per ride on most routes); from Arequipa airport, take a colectivo or minibus to the city centre for about 5 soles per person (a taxi costs 30-50 soles).
When is the best time to visit Arequipa?
April, May and September: clear skies, cool evenings, and fewer tourists than June–August. Daytime highs around 22°C, perfect for walking the historic centre.
Top Attractions in Arequipa
💡 Avoid midday sun—there’s little shade. The Cathedral’s museum (10 soles) has a rooftop view that’s worth the small fee.
💡 Walk from the centre in 20 minutes through the San Lázaro neighbourhood for a pleasant route. Bring a jacket—it’s windy and cool up here.
💡 The rooftop is the main draw—head straight up if you just want the view. The museum takes 20 minutes max.
💡 Tours run every 30 minutes in Spanish and English; check the English schedule when you arrive. No photography inside the mummy room.
💡 Go early (just after 9am opening) to avoid crowds and get quiet photos. The café inside is overpriced—bring water.