Gran Hotel Bolivar

“Symbol of Elegance”

(This review is based on a visit to the lobby area of the hotel, We did not stay in the hotel.) During our visit to Lima, we made a brief stop at the Gran Hotel Bolivar. Opened in 1924, it was the place to see and be seen in Lima. Dignitaries, authors, rock starts, and other prominent people inc… more

(This review is based on a visit to the lobby area of the hotel, We did not stay in the hotel.) During our visit to Lima, we made a brief stop at the Gran Hotel Bolivar. Opened in 1924, it was the place to see and be seen in Lima. Dignitaries, authors, rock starts, and other prominent people including Charles de Gaulle, President Nixon, Emperor Akihito, Orson Welles, and John Wayne. When you walk into the lobby, your eyes are immediately drawn to the stained-glass dome. It is magnificent. A classic Model T Ford on display will capture your attention as it serves as a reminder of Lima’s heyday. The Model T began a new era of mobility for its citizens. You won’t regret stopping here if your travels bring you to Lima.

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“Lovely old hotel but can be noisy from street traffic and music as the Windows are single glazed.”

I love the Bolivar, have stayed there twice. It's a bit tired in places but that's ok, part of the charm of staying in an old hotel. I found all the staff lovely and helpful and the room was clean, the Chamberlain did an excellent job. The breakfast was not very exciting. Coffee, juice and eggs,… more

I love the Bolivar, have stayed there twice. It's a bit tired in places but that's ok, part of the charm of staying in an old hotel. I found all the staff lovely and helpful and the room was clean, the Chamberlain did an excellent job. The breakfast was not very exciting. Coffee, juice and eggs, fried boiled or scrambled. A slice of cheese and a slice of cheap reconstituted ham came with the eggs. This is called an American breakfast. They could do better. If staying on a Friday or Saturday beware that music from street, shouting and cars honking go on all night. The hotel windows are single glazed and ear plugs are a must. The Bolivar is a charming hotel, I always aim to stay there when in Lima.

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“Worn and needs updating”

Looks great on the outside, but inside is old and worn and needs updating. My kids’ first reaction after walking through the cavernous hallways and entering our room was: “this place feels haunted.” I felt the same way. The hanging lights in the foyer were crooked. The rooms were large and spacio… more

Looks great on the outside, but inside is old and worn and needs updating. My kids’ first reaction after walking through the cavernous hallways and entering our room was: “this place feels haunted.” I felt the same way. The hanging lights in the foyer were crooked. The rooms were large and spacious but the furniture felt dated (old but not charming). The elevators creaked. The bathroom grout were yellow and the some of the electric outlets didn’t work (they were also all close to the ground, none easily accessible at table level like the modern hotels). The bed mattresses look old and so do the blankets in between the white laundered sheets. There is no hairdryer. We are a family of four and got a two-room suite. There was one bathroom with a dated bathtub with plastic curtains. The hot water ran out after 1 shower that was 10 minutes. (Also, the “H” knob gave cold water and the “C” knob gave hot water, we had to follow the instructions on the wall to get hot water). So the remaining 3 of us took cold showers. All 4 of us slept in one room because the place felt haunted (also with two rooms there was only one heater). The streets was loud outside and the security gates kept screeching at midnight. All this was especially disappointing given the grandeur of the hotel exterior and lobby. I went back and checked the Google reviews and many were based on visitors who didn’t stay here and came mainly to check out the historic lobby and the bar. This hotel has good bones and could be so much more. But sadly in 2025 the stay here disappointed.

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