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Where to Stay in Lima?  We Loved Radisson RED Miraflores!

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The first time we visited Peru, we spent just one night in Lima and left the following morning without seeing a thing.

With hindsight, we felt we missed out so when we returned, we added extra days to explore properly.

But the first question was where to stay in Lima.  For a start the city is huge and for sure some areas are considered safer or certainly more tourist friendly? Should we splurge for peace of mind, or save our soles and stay in a hostel?

I think I booked and cancelled four different hotels before finally choosing somewhere in the middle — the Radisson RED Lima in Miraflores. And let me tell you — that turned out to be a brilliant decision. Keep reading for our full review after a few glorious nights in Lima.

At a Glance: What We Loved (and Didn’t) About Staying at the Radisson RED Lima

I had so much hesitancy about where to stay in Lima.  Of course safety was a huge factor but we were also coming off a 12 hour flight and wanted comfort too. But we also travel a lot and have to keep eye on our budget. 

Radisson RED Lima in  Miraflores felt like a good compromise but did it end up being too much of a compromise?  Well no! But to be fair our first impression was a little shaky

Radisson Red definitely has a modern vibe.  When we arrived to check in we both worried  that we’d paid a premium just to stay in a branded hostel.  And maybe the Red might be a bit young too for us  with its bold art, bright colours, pool table and gym.

But don’t judge a book by its cover because we were so wrong.   The Radisson Red is no hostel.  It’s modern for sure but it’s comfortable, friendly, and thoughtfully designed.  They’ve manage to strike a balance by removing the frills, whilst retaining their reliable brand signature.

In a rush? Here’s a quick look at our stay :

1. Location Matters : Red is in the Heart of Miraflores

The Radisson RED does sit right in heart of Miraflores, considered one of Lima’s most walkable neighbourhoods.  It’s chocked full of cafés, restaurants, and leafy streets leading towards the ocean promenade.

Miraflores is not a village but a suburb of Lima so it’s still big.  You’re a kilometre from Larcomar, similar to Kennedy Park and a few kilometres from Contemporary Art museum and Barranco. 

But you’re opposite the very popular Helarte, surrounded by excellent cafés and bars, a small supermarket nearby and we used Uber to get around safely and for very little expense.

And we did go out at night and felt safe wandering around, even after dark.  Indeed if you’re planning  a short stay, this location makes everything easy — no taxis required for an evening stroll or dinner out.

Top Tip : Lima traffic is pretty notorious.  We made an early start to get into downtown as the hotel warned it can take an hour during morning rush hour.  Just allow plenty when planning your day in Lima.

2. First Impressions

As we already mentioned when we arrived and checked in and we were told about the gym and the games area and the cocktail making, we did wonder if we’d paid to stay in a rather upmarket hostel and were worried that we would be lacking the comfort that we sought.   But we were so wrong.  

Radisson RED makes a statement for sure — all bold colours and youthful energy.  But it also has a quiet efficiency.  The reception staff always ready with answers.  The waiting staff ready to take an order. 

We were greeted from the taxi,  reception staff welcomed us with excellent English and a genuinely warm smile.

Within minutes, we were checked in and upstairs, those first fears melting away. 

3. The Room & Sleep Quality

The building itself feels secure — you need a room card for lift access — and the atmosphere is relaxed, professional and welcoming.  Everywhere was neat and orderly and clean. 

We’d been traveling for around 19 hours so we just wanted to lie down. You know that feeling of anxiousness when you tentatively test the bed for the first time and hope its going to be ok?  Well we just sank into the bed and knew we’d sleep well.  No memory foam for Radisson Red.  These are proper sprung mattresses with just the perfect amount of softness and support.

The linen felt crisp and the pillows soft.  They know their beds here! The bathrooms are quirky with movable walls which does make the room feel bigger.

The shower was powerful, they provided shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.  And whilst the towels were soft and thick they were a bit on the small side.  And only one hand towel but I’m sure if we’d asked we could have another.

Overall the design was minimal and functional.  There was a USB port for easy phone charging and a good size safe, which was easy to operate and great for storing all our valuables.

The only downside for us was an un-missable hum from the external air-conditioning units. This is absolutely something to consider.  We were in room 712 and at the back of the hotel.  If noise bothers you, ask when booking for a quieter room?

And to be fair I popped in my trusty Loop earplugs and slept like a baby.

And we didn’t notice any noise from the hotel – so either we were surrounded by quiet guests or the rooms have great sound proofing.

In short: the bed is excellent, the room was spotless and maintained the modern vibe of the hotel.

Radisson Red hotel website says room features include :

4. Breakfast & Dining

We didn’t even consider Breakfast when we booked.  Comfort and security were our main concerns. So Breakfast was a total surprise.

It was a treat. Fresh fruit, fresh juices, unlimited coffee and tea.  There were local breads, cakes, even sandwiches that would look more at home on an afternoon tea buffet.  Eggs are cooked to order, there were various hot dishes, including rice and freshly cooked veggies (which became my breakfast of choice!)

There was also a selection of cereals, yoghurts and jams. 

You would not go hungry here!  And breakfast was served from 6am – perfect for travellers or anyone fighting jet lag and time zones. And a breakfast box made to take away if you had an earlier start.

If I had any comment, I’d say maybe some labels would be useful, especially for the hot dishes.  But, I just asked a member of staff and they double checked for gluten with the chef.  

We’d eaten dinner here the night before — simple dishes, beautifully done.  We were in Miraflores, literally home to the best restaurant in the world and certainly surrounded by excellent eateries.  There is no need to eat at Radisson Red but if you’re too tired to go out, you won’t be disappointed.  And if you love a good breakfast then build up an appetite because you’re in for a treat.

5. Rooftop Bar & Facilities

The hotel is functional rather than luxury so dont expect a rooftop pool or spa but still there is a gym, and in the lobby there is a small table games area and on floor 8 there is a rooftop bar.

If you are only in Lima for a short stay and feel a Pisco Sour as a nightcap from a rooftop bar is on your to do list, you could do worse than wander up to floor 8.

It’s not huge but its neat and orderly and comfortable.  We didn’t get ocean views but we did see the lights of Lima. The Playlist is excellent and the Sours are strong. What’s not to love.

There’s also a small gym, good Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and plenty of lounge areas to work or read if you need a break from exploring.

6. Staff & Service

As you would expect from a well known brand, every interaction we had with the staff was first-rate.

Staff were multilingual which made life super easy for tired travellers and made everything effortless. We had help with calling a taxi, advising on local restaurants, directions, traffic and places to visit – nothing was too much trouble.

The Radisson Red hotel website lists the following property amenities:

7. What Could Be Better

Nowhere is perfect and given our location, the brand and the price, we were very happy with our stay. And honestly, we had to really think of a few things to add!

Our decision to stay here was really last minute.  We do like to find good, clean, comfortable accommodation but we also like to save money where we can. 

But arriving in Lima, after a long journey was not the time to look for savings.  We switched after reading a few reviews and it was a great decision.

Radisson RED Lima Miraflores is perfect for couples or solo travellers who enjoy a modern, easygoing base close to everything.

But it also suits travellers like us who want style and comfort without paying luxury prices.

Are there cheaper good options? Yes of course.  But if you want an excellent nights sleep, a fabulous breakfast and a great location then book your bed and relax.

We came away genuinely impressed — rested, well-fed, and would happily stay again.

Where Else to Stay in Lima

We eventually chose Miraflores — partly for its reputation for safety, but also for its leafy streets and easy access to cafés, restaurants, and the ocean promenade. It turned out to be an excellent choice.

That said, we also spent time in Barranco, and loved its artistic, bohemian feel. It’s full of colourful houses, small galleries, and tucked-away cafés — and we felt perfectly safe wandering around, even after dark.

If you’re really short of time, the Gran Hotel Bolívar in the historical centre is ideal. It’s right in the heart of downtown Lima, and you’ll avoid the city’s famously slow traffic. We set off early from Miraflores for our historical walking tour to beat the rush hour — and the bonus was having time for a coffee at Lima Coffee and being able to explore the Bolívar’s old-world charm.

Whatever your choice, do factor traffic into your plans — it can easily turn a short hop into an hour-long ride!

Other hotels In Lima That We’d We Recommend

If the Radisson RED Lima Miraflores doesn’t quite fit your style or budget, here are a few other lovely options we can personally recommend or have admired along the way:

Wherever you choose to stay, Lima offers something for everyone — from arty Barranco to classic Miraflores and the history-soaked streets of downtown.