Your stay — Hostal Sauna
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The Property — Hostal Sauna
Hostal Sauna is a no-frills 3-star in central Lima, aimed squarely at budget travellers who value a hot shower and a firm bed over decor. The lobby feels like a 1980s waiting room with tired furnishings, but the staff are brisk and efficient. Its main appeal is the sauna and a location within walking distance of Plaza San Martín. It suits solo backpackers or couples on a tight schedule who plan to spend most of their time out exploring.
Chronicles of Lima
Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 as 'City of the Kings,' becoming the colonial capital of Spanish South America. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, retains grand baroque churches and balconied mansions from the 16th–18th centuries. After independence in 1821, the city expanded rapidly, blending colonial, republican and modernist styles—most notably in the sprawling districts of Miraflores and Barranco. Today Lima is a gritty, layered metropolis where pre-Columbian ruins, colonial plazas and a world-class food scene coexist under a perpetual grey sky.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lima guide →Best months
January to March are ideal for warm, sunny days and low humidity, with fewer crowds than the peak festivals. July is cooler and overcast but still comfortable for exploring museums and the historic centre.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak winter month for domestic tourism due to school holidays, causing hotel prices to rise by 20–30%. The Fiestas Patrias (28–29 July) and surrounding weeks drive local travel, but Lima itself doesn't host major events—crowds are from Peruvians visiting the capital.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–November are the best shoulder months, with milder weather, fewer families, and hotel discounts of 15–25%. Skies are often overcast but rain is rare, making it pleasant for walking tours.
Weather & packing
Lima's winter (June–October) is famously grey and damp, with a persistent coastal fog called 'garúa' that never quite rains but keeps everything clammy. Pack a light waterproof jacket, long trousers and closed-toe shoes—not shorts or sandals, unless you enjoy being cold and misted.
Live City Briefing — Lima
- Lima's new Metro Line 2 remains under construction, causing major traffic disruptions on Avenida Aviación and around the historic centre; plan extra time for road journeys.
- The Museo Larco reopened its permanent collection in late 2025 after a renovation, now with improved signage in English and a new café terrace overlooking the garden.
- A new pedestrian zone on Avenida Grau in Barranco has improved access to the waterfront promenade, but taxi drivers may still drop you a block away—check maps before heading out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Sauna, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 5-7 facing the rear courtyard, away from Avenida Universitaria. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within the lift range, assuming a typical 8-story building.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1-2 facing the street; Avenida Universitaria is a major Lima artery with constant traffic, and lower floors get the worst of it. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor—audible whirring and door dings carry through thin walls.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on floors 5+ offer a view over the courtyard and neighbouring low-rise buildings, with a glimpse of the distant Andes on clear days. Street-facing rooms just see traffic and shop fronts.
Quietest floors
Floors 5-7 are the quietest—above street level noise but below any rooftop plant or common area.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Universitaria is a six-lane road with buses, mototaxis, and honking from early morning to late night. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms—a low-frequency rumble. Sauna machinery may hum from the ground floor or basement.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 14:00 to avoid queueing; the reception is small and gets busy. 2. Ask for a rear-facing room at booking—no guarantee, but the desk sometimes accommodates early requests. 3. Earplugs are worth packing; the hotel doesn’t provide them.
- 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 — Hostal Sauna
Free throughout hotel, speeds around 10 Mbps download; no login required but timeouts after 1 hour idle.
Small lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Physical copies of El Comercio at reception on weekdays only; no digital newsstand.
Check-in from 13:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00 (no fee). Late check-out until 14:00 for 30 PEN; after 14:00 charged half-night rate.
Free at reception; supervised but no lockers. Overnight storage allowed only if checking out into another room.
No step-free entrance—two stairs at main door; lift fits wheelchair; no adapted bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public lot is Estacionamiento Universitario, 5-minute walk, 15 PEN per overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of 50 PEN on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia Santa María de Jesús (123 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica Perlana (773 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (807 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (814 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galería Comercial Mega San Felipe — 491 m · ~6 min walk
Parque Manhattan — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Museo de los Colli — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bbva Continental — 315 m · ~4 min walk
Inkafarma — 304 m · ~4 min walk
Mini Market La Favorita — 409 m · ~5 min walk
Estación Chimpu Ocllo — 901 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Peruvian Sol, PEN
Use ATMs or official exchange houses in Miraflores for better rates; avoid airport or tourist bureau desks.
Cards widely accepted in restaurants and supermarkets; cash needed for small shops, markets, and taxis.
Leave 10% in restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fares; tip hotel staff 5-10 soles per bag or per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a local bakery or cafe is around 5-7 soles.
Menú del día at small eateries gives soup, main, and drink for 12-15 soles.
A main course at a casual restaurant runs 18-25 soles.
Anticuchos and empanadas from stalls near parks or markets are common; try street food on Av. Arequipa or in nearby Lince.
Plaza Vea or Tambo are common supermarket chains in this area.
Markets like Mercado Central or Gamarra in La Victoria offer affordable clothing.
The cheapest way around is a single-ride bus (2.50 soles) or the Metropolitano bus system (3.50 soles); from the airport, take the Airport Express bus (8 soles) to central stops or a collectivo (12-15 soles).
Eat menú del día for lunch, not dinner; fill a water bottle at your hotel to avoid buying bottled water; use local bus routes instead of taxis within the district.
Good to know — Lima
Type A/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ PEN 3.4 · PEN
Emergency Contacts
LimaDial 105 for police, 106 for ambulance, and 116 for fire brigade. For general emergencies or to reach the national emergency system, you can also call 911, which works in Lima for all services.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lima, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Sauna
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bbva Continental — 315 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Inkafarma — 304 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Lima (Estacion Central) → Hotel Bahia (Angamos stop, Miraflores)
💡 Only useful if you're already in central Lima. Buy a Tarjeta Metropolitano at the station. Avoid during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) as it gets packed.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Bahia (Miraflores, Larco Mar stop)
💡 Book online for a small discount. The bus has luggage space and WiFi. Get off at Larco Mar, then a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Bahia (Miraflores)
💡 App-based ride is safer than street cabs. Pickup is outside the arrivals exit. Cabify often has fixed prices; Uber may surge late at night.
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) → Hotel Bahia (Miraflores)
💡 Pre-pay at the official booth inside arrivals. Ignore touts outside; they charge more and are less safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Sauna?
Request rooms on floors 5-7 facing the rear courtyard, away from Avenida Universitaria. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within the lift range, assuming a typical 8-story building.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Sauna?
Avoid rooms on floors 1-2 facing the street; Avenida Universitaria is a major Lima artery with constant traffic, and lower floors get the worst of it. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor—audible whirring and door dings carry through thin walls.
Is Hostal Sauna noisy?
Avenida Universitaria is a six-lane road with buses, mototaxis, and honking from early morning to late night. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms—a low-frequency rumble. Sauna machinery may hum from the ground floor or basement.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Sauna?
Rear-facing rooms on floors 5+ offer a view over the courtyard and neighbouring low-rise buildings, with a glimpse of the distant Andes on clear days. Street-facing rooms just see traffic and shop fronts.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Sauna?
1. Check in after 14:00 to avoid queueing; the reception is small and gets busy. 2. Ask for a rear-facing room at booking—no guarantee, but the desk sometimes accommodates early requests. 3. Earplugs are worth packing; the hotel doesn’t provide them.
What time is check-in at Hostal Sauna?
Check-in at Hostal Sauna is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Sauna have Wi-Fi?
Free throughout hotel, speeds around 10 Mbps download; no login required but timeouts after 1 hour idle.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Sauna?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Sauna?
Menú del día at small eateries gives soup, main, and drink for 12-15 soles.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Sauna?
The cheapest way around is a single-ride bus (2.50 soles) or the Metropolitano bus system (3.50 soles); from the airport, take the Airport Express bus (8 soles) to central stops or a collectivo (12-15 soles).
When is the best time to visit Lima?
January to March are ideal for warm, sunny days and low humidity, with fewer crowds than the peak festivals. July is cooler and overcast but still comfortable for exploring museums and the historic centre.
Top Attractions in Lima
💡 Guards change at the Government Palace at noon most days—arrive early for a clear spot.
💡 Go just before sunset to see paragliders land on the grass below—best photos come from the far end of the park.
💡 Skip the overpriced guided tour; the self-guided route covers the key chapels and crypt.
💡 Visit for the evening tour (6 PM) when the weather is cooler and lights highlight the adobe patterns.
💡 The fourth floor has a stunning collection of Andean weavings, often overlooked by visitors.