El Cabildo Hotel Arequipa is on Calle Manuel Ugarteche in the historic centre, within about two kilometres of the Plaza de Armas and the Grau Bridge. It is a short taxi ride rather than a stroll to the main square, which is a fair trade for travellers who value a little more space and a wider range of services on site. The hotel is in the same mid-range class as many of the city's better-known hotels, and it appeals to guests who want somewhere to relax after a day of sightseeing. With two restaurants, a bar, a garden and terrace and spa services, it feels more like a small resort in the city than a simple place to sleep.
The facilities are the main draw. After a morning at Santa Catalina or a long drive along the Colca road, a massage, a drink on the terrace or a meal without leaving the building can be a real pleasure. Room service runs around the clock according to the hotel details, rooms have safes, and there is a concierge desk and luggage storage, so you can leave bags behind while you spend a night or two in the canyon.
Free parking is useful if you are driving, and a business centre and meeting room make it workable for people combining work and leisure.
As always, check current facilities and opening hours when you book, since restaurants, spa treatments and renovations change.Getting around is simple if you plan for it. Taxis in Arequipa are inexpensive and plentiful, and the ride to the plaza is short, so the slightly greater distance from the centre is not a hardship, though you will not be able to pop back for a rest between sights as easily as from a hotel on the plaza itself.
An airport shuttle is available for a modest fee, which takes the stress out of arrival, and tour operators will generally pick you up from the hotel for Colca, the volcano climbs and the Salinas lagoon. If you have a dawn departure, ask about an early breakfast or a packed meal the evening before.Choose El Cabildo if you want a relaxed, service-rich stay with a terrace and garden, and if you are comfortable using taxis for evenings out at picanterias and rooftop bars.
It works well for couples marking an occasion, for travellers combining a few days of sightseeing with some rest, and for those who like a hotel with its own restaurants. Rates rise in the dry season from about April to November, especially in July and August, and are generally lower from January to March. Look at recent guest reviews, compare room types and read the cancellation terms before you commit, and book a flexible rate if your Colca plans depend on the weather.
Why stay here
- ✓Two restaurants and a bar on site
- ✓Garden and terrace
- ✓Spa services, check treatments at booking
- ✓Free parking, confirm at booking
- ✓Wi-Fi in rooms, check at booking
- ✓24-hour room service, check hours
- ✓Concierge and luggage storage
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
Is El Cabildo walkable to the Plaza de Armas?+
It is within a couple of kilometres of the plaza, so most visitors take a short taxi ride. Check the map when you book.
Does the hotel have a spa?+
Spa services such as massage are offered. Check current treatments and hours when you book.
Can the hotel arrange airport transfers?+
An airport shuttle is available for a fee. Confirm details and times when you book.
