Why Kids and Parents Will Cozy Up to Aloft Lima in Peru

For years I have been telling anyone who would listen that Lima is a wonderful city for kids. It has kilometres of playgrounds along the Malecón in Miraflores, where children travelling from afar can cavort with their peers who are residents of the Peru capital. My son, Gabriel, on his second visit to Lima, was just as enthralled with the city’s kid-friendly infrastructure at 8 years old as he was six years earlier. This time, he had outgrown the slides and playground apparatuses and was more eager to play soccer with the locals his age.

It led to an idyllic scene — children playing, their laughter inducing smiles from anyone observing them as sun shone down and the waves of the ocean lapped onto the shore hundreds of feet below the clay-coloured cliff face. For me, Lima’s hallmark is that: Glorious public spaces in Miraflores and elsewhere devoted to the enjoyment of children.

Some of the hotels in the city lean eagerly into the family vibes. We were amazed when we entered our gorgeous suite at the Aloft Lima Miraflores. Not only was there the spaciousness that families — especially those travelling from afar like us — appreciate, there were novel arrangements and thoughtful treats.

Gabriel was most giddy when he saw that a tent had been set up for him in the large bedroom. Rather than a cot or a sofa bed, he also had the option of sleeping on a comfy mat beneath the triangle pitch that reminded us of home in British Columbia. It was a fun way to extend the joyfulness of the Miraflores playgrounds into our suite.

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The hotel also features an indoor heated pool, play area, spacious rooms, and menu options that are familiar to North American palettes, so less adventurous kids can get their French fries and chicken strips while parents are able to enjoy Peru’s famous flavours, whether it’s ceviche, grilled fish, or Amazonian fruit. Like other Aloft hotels, the Lima property’s flagship restaurant is called WXYZ and the grab-and-go snack shop, which includes beer and wine sales, is Re:Fuel.

Launched in 2008, Aloft has a notable Canadian connection. The brand debuted with a location at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and has grown to more than 230 locations globally. Known for bright, airy rooms with high ceilings and open-concept layouts, the Aloft hotels are typically priced in the mid-range and located in the heart of city centres. They have a modern look and feel, designed to appeal to travellers in their 20s and 30s, as well as families.

The Aloft Lima Miraflores exemplifies those traits. Location-wise, the hotel has a number of plusses, even though it isn’t directly on Lima’s famous cliffside streets that face onto the Malecón and those marvellous public spaces that include red-clay tennis courts, skate parks, and lookouts that stare into the horizon of the Pacific Ocean. You can reach those spots with an easy 15-minute walk through Miraflores’ lovely streets, passing cafes and boutique retail shops. Along the Malecón is the Larcomar mall, one of the most beautiful open-air shopping plazas in the world. Looking onto the ocean, Larcomar features more than 30 dining options. The best is Tanta by renowned chef Gastón Acurio, who took Peruvian recipes to international fame. Savour ceviche and empanadas as you watch the sunset or after shopping at a number of the luxury stores at the venue.

Acurio’s most famous restaurant, La Mar, is on the northern edge of Miraflores, about a 15-minute walk, or 10-minute Uber ride, from the Aloft hotel. The historic Barranco district is in the opposite direction from the hotel, about 30 minutes on foot. It is improved from my previous visits, with cleaner streets and newer stores and restaurants. The nightlife includes a jazz bar and a number of notable cocktail venues.

More About Visiting Lima

Getting There: Air Canada and Air Transit operate direct, non-stop flights from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. The flight time is approximately eight hours.

Currency Exchange: Canadians have a favourable exchange rate with Peru. 1 Peru Sol equals approximately $2.43 CAD, based on current exchange rates.

Climate: One of the most amazing things about Lima is its weather. For most of the year the temperature is in the mid-20s Celsius (mid-70s Fahrenheit). There is a gentle ocean breeze, which has the added benefit of blowing mosquitoes away, so you generally don’t have to worry about bug bites, which is a luxury in hot places.

A Note About Safety: Lima is a safe city to visit. I often find Canadians and Americans have concerns about the city, but that reputation is long outdated. I have visited the Peru capital four times in the past 10 years and never had any issue other than my wife’s sunglasses being stolen from an outdoor table while she was distracted by taking photos. The people are friendly, the streets are walkable, and the amenities are exceptional. Combine that with fantastic value and what is easily one of the leading food cities on earth and Lima is among the best places you can choose for your next vacation.

 

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Note: Vacay.ca occasionally features content from outside of Canada that our editors believe will be of interest to readers. In this article, Managing Editor Adrian Brijbassi travels to Peru’s capital city to write about its family-travel opportunities. The Aloft Lima Miraflores provided the accommodations for his stay. Neither the hotel nor any other organization reviewed the article before it was published.